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Left front axle leaking transmission fluid


Chris Kurtz
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Sounds like a good plan Keep a check on the level and no damage will be done.

If there was a dipstick this would a minor inconvenience. I have had lots of cars with lots of miles

that used some fluid. No big deal

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Just heard back from the service advisor. He said the driver's side cv axle to trans seal needs to be replaced as well as the cv axle itself. When I dropped the car off I pointed out to them that the axle was moving in and out of the transmission about a quarter inch or so - as if the snap ring on the end of axle wasn't properly engaging with the differential. The service advisor wasn't sure if the snap ring is the problem or if there is something else wrong with the cv axle. He said the driver's side cv axle is back-ordered and won't be in for at least 1 week and that we can safely drive the car in the meantime. I hope I will get a more precise diagnosis of what is wrong with the cv axle when I bring it back to be replaced.

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Just heard back from the service advisor. He said the driver's side cv axle to trans seal needs to be replaced as well as the cv axle itself. When I dropped the car off I pointed out to them that the axle was moving in and out of the transmission about a quarter inch or so - as if the snap ring on the end of axle wasn't properly engaging with the differential. The service advisor wasn't sure if the snap ring is the problem or if there is something else wrong with the cv axle. He said the driver's side cv axle is back-ordered and won't be in for at least 1 week and that we can safely drive the car in the meantime. I hope I will get a more precise diagnosis of what is wrong with the cv axle when I bring it back to be replaced.

sorry to hear that. thanks for the update.

Yeah, it would be nice to know why the mechanic thinks the cv axle needs replacing and also how much the seal is leaking.

please keep us posted. thanks

Edited by windguy
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This is the same fix that they did for the Escape, the Kit includes a Seal and Bushing in the transmission and a new inner CV Joint.

There is a good Video of the procedure on U Tube.

I watched it and the parts that they took out did not look bad

I have purchased the CV kit just to see what it was . Cheap because of the Recall.

I am charting the Leak rate and it seems to Be in the 2-4 Oz range in 3500-4000 mile range.

You need to find out How much your TC leaks so you will feel comfortable waiting for the Real fix.

My Trans is shifting nicely and I am not going to let a well meaning under trained Ford Teck muck with the Gear box.

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I found this video on youtube, in which a Ford tech describes the source of the cv axle seal problem on Fusions and Escapes, and describes the TSB and shows how to do the fix:

According to the tech, the source of the problem on Fusions and Escapes is poor machining on the surface of the inner half-shaft. The rough surface of the half-shaft tears up the bearing and the seal that the axle mates with in the transmission, eventually resulting in a leak. I wonder if this is what is happening on our Connects too? That might explain why they said I need a new axle and why they are back-ordered.

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According to the tech, the source of the problem on Fusions and Escapes is poor machining on the surface of the inner half-shaft. The rough surface of the half-shaft tears up the bearing and the seal that the axle mates with in the transmission, eventually resulting in a leak. I wonder if this is what is happening on our Connects too? That might explain why they said I need a new axle and why they are back-ordered.

@daneli - there is a second thread discussing Gen 2 TC transmission problems.

http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/topic/2972-2014-transit-connect-lt-lwb-transmission-shifting-issue-any-one/

Search for a post by jimmyboost on page one that mentions resurfacing the drive shaft. I would agree that this may be part of the problem.

That's why replacing it with another drive shaft that has the same surface texture might not necessarily solve the problem, so poster GBL's approach of monitoring the fluid level and waiting for a TSB is a good game plan. Otherwise you may introduce more problems greater than the original problem.

Edited by windguy
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I'm wondering if it is possible that they have already issued an updated half-shaft to address this concern. Could that be the reason I was told I needed both a new seal and a new axle??

my service adviser said there was no TSB regarding the transmission problem. I'm guessing the spare parts axles are the same as what's used in production.

I'm sure the dealer gets paid in full for any warranty work so it's revenue for them to replace the seal and drive shaft if they can prove it's leaking.

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I have the replacement part they issued for the Escape recall. Wanted to see what it looked like

I an not convinced that the surface finish is the whole issue.

My leak is small.

The kit for the escape was the inner CV Joint, a bushing and the seal.

The right side has the same seal, and there is not any evidence of a right side seal problems

Still thinking about the issue.

You know if there was an easy way to check the fluid level this issue would be much smaller.

Cheers!

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You know it just hit me in reading over jimmyboost's post in the other thread that the transmission in our 2nd generation transit connects is the 6F35. Duh! There have been several TSB's for this transmission. I assumed that all the fixes would have been applied to the latest 6F35s installed in our vans - but maybe that isn't true. It seems likely that the leak we are experiencing is the same problem that the other 6F35s experienced and that there already is a TSB for this problem. (If we ask our service reps "Are there TSB for the 6F35 transmission" I assume they will say "Yes.")

Here's another youtube video by the same Ford tech about the 6F35.

What he says is a little worrying:

-Replace fluid every 30,000 miles.

-Don't flush, do a drain and fill only.

-Use Motorcraft Mercon LV only.

-Be aware that Mercon LV tends to break down quickly.

-Trans filter is non-replaceable, sealed for life unit.

So let me get this straight. Ford got rid of the dipstick and a replaceable filter on a transmission that is failure-prone, often tends to leak, and must use a specialized transmission fluid that breaks down quickly and is super-expensive? Hmm...

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I have watched both of those videos, he does a good job.

When the old parts are shown they do not look very warn,

The drain and refill is a very easy

proceedure, and it has been my experience that changing the fluid is more important than the

filter change.

I think the earlier fix they use is not the whole issue and they are still working on the real fix

Ford like every one else is trying to make the car somthing that most of the

drivers do not think about.

Not a good plan.

The leak on mine continues to be slight. I have been checking the level, every 1500 miles.

Thinking about the dipstick issue

will keep everyone posted

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  • 1 month later...

Got a call from the dealer that the back-ordered parts arrived. Took the van in and they replaced the inner cv axle (DV6Z-3B436-H), the seal (9L8Z-1177-A), and the transmission bushing (CV6Z-7025-C). Since these are essentially the same parts covered by the TSB for the Escapes and Fusions with the same transmission I think they are doing a TSB repair on the Transit Connect without calling it that. Anyway, I hope this fixes the leak.

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Cool Hope it helps

Checked mine yesterday and with just over 10100 on the clock the leak has slowed on

mine. I am continuing to keep track.

when you check it again Let us know how it is doing.

I think the vote is still out at Ford as to the cause.

Thanks for the up date.

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GBL: What else do you think could be causing this problem? If the leak doesn't return I will consider the cv axle+bushing+seal to be a real fix. But even so I am confused about something: This problem seems to go back to 2009 Escapes with this same transmission. Why would Ford still have this problem with these transmissions after 6 years?

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When I watched the escape video that you saw and highlighted the parts that he changed

did not look very warn.

the left half shaft is very short and it could be there is some axial motion of the inner joint.

the wobble could cause oil to walk by the seal.

Mine seems to be slowing down as the joint wears in.

If the car had a dip stick then the amount mine leaks would not be an issue.

Just a mess.

hope the new parts do solve the issue

I would love to see the old parts

keep track

How many miles on your TC

Let us know how it is going!

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When I watched the escape video that you saw and highlighted the parts that he changed

did not look very warn.

the left half shaft is very short and it could be there is some axial motion of the inner joint.

the wobble could cause oil to walk by the seal.

Mine seems to be slowing down as the joint wears in.

If the car had a dip stick then the amount mine leaks would not be an issue.

Just a mess.

hope the new parts do solve the issue

I would love to see the old parts

keep track

How many miles on your TC

Let us know how it is going!

so let me ask you you park the car on a level ground let the car run while you check the level? and by the left axle by removing the screw if no fluid comes out that means im low on fluid? you mentioned before you made a "stick" so you check how low is the level from the hole rigth ?

you move the left tire or you keep it on because there maybe enough room to get to the bolt ?

sorry never mind i have find the answer how to check ,engine has to run, and you said you use any kind of transmission fluid approved by ford.

Thanks

John

Edited by Johnyguy
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Correct, I made a little dipstick so I can tell how close to the hole the fluid is.

If the car is not fully warm it allows me to check the level

Mercon LV is what is asked for.

And yes the car wants to be running. The fluid drains back after the engine stops.

I have also put an oil pad in the dust cover so I get an idea of how much fluid leaks out.

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Correct, I made a little dipstick so I can tell how close to the hole the fluid is.

If the car is not fully warm it allows me to check the level

Mercon LV is what is asked for.

And yes the car wants to be running. The fluid drains back after the engine stops.

I have also put an oil pad in the dust cover so I get an idea of how much fluid leaks out.

thanks also i think maybe we could refill from that hole too with a plastic bottle like a ketchup squeeze so we dont have to remove air cleaner etc what do you think about that??

Thanks

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I think it would work. With out a lift it will be a task to do it while the car is running.

having put fluid in the car several times now , the cap is acccessable without pulling the air cleaner off

a long thin funnel works well. If you have the plug out with the car running as you add fluid then

you wont over fill it. Just don't for get to put the plug back in. Shutting the car off with the plug off

will make a real mess

I know!

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I think it would work. With out a lift it will be a task to do it while the car is running.

having put fluid in the car several times now , the cap is acccessable without pulling the air cleaner off

a long thin funnel works well. If you have the plug out with the car running as you add fluid then

you wont over fill it. Just don't for get to put the plug back in. Shutting the car off with the plug off

will make a real mess

I know!

Thanks for the tips! im going to do it this weekend will post how much i had to add.

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Cool

When you pull the vent fill cap round off the splines

on the inside end it will make it putting it back easier

A worthy project.

Have a great Holiday.

hi GBL is this the filler cap for the transmission i was not sure can you confirm thanks alot!
Edited by Johnyguy
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