Hi Guys - Since installing then reinstalling the rebuilt engine I am having no success sealing the offside DShaft (long one).
The old seal never leaked (which I binned straight away)so cant try putting that back in. Initially replaced both sides and they both leaked. Tried seal conditioner but that didnt work.
Tried a new pair of seals. Was extra careful replacing both and even used the official protection tool (bit of rubber). NS one now is holding but the other is still leaking badly.
Before putting the second pair in I did a finger check of the output bearings and cant feel any play at all. I understand the bearings can wear in the housings but could not feel any movement.
Both inboard tulips do move quite a bit. Theres a tad of axial movement and both can wobble slightly eccentrically if you know what I mean.
I checked a lower mileage S2 with K engine and the movement looked to be exactly the same.
The circlips were both fully engaged. I didnt use new ones - cant see that making a blind bit of difference.
The sealing surfaces on the shafts are bang on.
The only thing I can think of is that in the process of moving the drive shaft I have disturbed the plunging tripod joint in such a way as its running eccentrically under load? I didnt replace the boots or pull the tripod out of the tulip its still as it was when it was removed as a complete assembly.
None of the seals are damaged so I have run out of ideas.
I could by a new dshaft but at �150notes I thought I would make sure I had covered everything else first!
Do you have any ideas???
Cheers
SImon
For info I phoned Millers Technical about the Gearbox oil. Texaco MTF94 stands for ‘manual transmission fluid spec released in 1994’. Its actually 10W 40 mineral engine oil!!!
Hi Si i’m going to try making the spring a bit tighter first and if that fails I’ll see you soon when I bring your coils back!!!
I dont think BP could stop this leak either. It is so annoying because the original didnt leak at all :-/
Bstard
Trip was great. Bit of a history tour/Dambusters trip this time. M�hne and Sorpe
dams and the Airbourne Museum at Arnhem (where my Dads wifes Grandad was captured - one of the last ones in the hotel - he was a para medic).
Stayed in Koblenz last two nights on the banks of the Rhine. Cost a bit but I’m worth it
Went with two other motors, a 50 year old Healey 3000 and a Boxter S.
I dont think anyone we passed had ever seen an Exige before as I might as well have been riding round in a UFO. One bloke at the hotel had seen picture but thought they were just fancyful creations of an artist not actually real.
As always on these trips the johnny foreiner folk we met were very friendly.
Avoid Belgium though. we strayed into their territory briefly, could only pay for fuel with cash or a belgian bank card and the roads were one pot hole short of a cart track!
Beware of the Belgium police as well. If they catch you speeding its a trip to the cash machine or your car is impounded.
WRT the seal, one other suggestion that may or may not be possible. You could check to see if a twin lip seal is avialable in the same size, this may be a cheaper solution if there is one available. Any seal supplier will be able to tell you if you give them the current seal number.
mmm didnt see any rozzas in Belgium but plenty of scameras sausage side!
Yep thats a good idea. My mate suggested I try a local seal place to see if they could match it.
Problem is really that something is causing it to leak and I dont think getting a different seal will fix the root cause (much the same way as my idea to tighten up the spring?)
Looks like the Sheffield Lotus Parts, Rescue and shoulder to cry on Centre will be getting a visit to try another drive shaft
I have spent so much time on this car its starting to get really silly
Just a thought but are you 100% sure its the seal ?
I went through this saga on my Honda and it turned out the C clip was not strong enough allowing the tripode to come out slightly when running and allow a leak…
When you stopped and looked it was back in the diff … new clips solved it.
It’s a while since I did the seals on my previous S1 so I’m just trying to remember the configuration, is there an intermediate support bearing on the long shaft and is it this side that has the problem?
If so then check that the position of the intermediate bearing is correct on the shaft. Check there is no lateral play in the bearing or with its fit to the shaft and that it’s clamped to the engine correctly. If not then it allows the drive shaft to move out of position slightly and causes oil leaks.
If it’s not that side then my comments are probably no use at all
