Transmission issues, shop issues..., Took car in for a minor CV axle seal leak and now have more issues Options

[CosaChow]

98 Celica 5SFE manual transmission issues

I'm looking for a bit of feedback on some issues I've recently had. A bit before Christmas I noticed a minor transmission leak under the driver's side CV axle. As this repair is beyond my abilities I did some research and found a local shop that had great reviews online. I took it in and they said the driver's side CV seal was leaking and said they could replace it. I'm not sure how it came up but I asked about replacing both and they said it wouldn't cost much more to do both. Anyway, I got a call a bit later that day that they found that the driver's side CV axle was damaged and had been replaced before. They said it looked like someone may have installed it wrong or something. They also said that it had in some way damaged an area where it goes into the transmission but that they were pretty sure they could use a hone to clean it up and they would recommend doing that. My total repair cost for the replacement driver's side CV, new seals on both sides, plus an oil change and install of the front brakes I provided cost me about $600.

I got the car back and went on a 2500 mile trip and about 800 miles in noticed a slight vibration in the car. A feeling almost like you're on a slightly bumpy road but the roads were smooth. After the trip I took the car back to the shop and they checked it out again. I called them later that day for an update and they told me it was ready and to be aware that the driver's side CV seal was seeping a little bit, and that I should have them keep an eye on it when I have the oil changed. When I got home I looked under the car where I park and saw a good deal of transmission fluid which had accumulated over the past two weeks. I then looked at the paperwork the shop gave me and a few pages in were the mechanics notes which described the car as leaking severely from both CV seals. A pretty different spin than I was given in person.

I went back to the shop and spoke with the owner. He took the car for a test driver but didn't notice the slight vibration but did say that he looked at the car and it was "leaking tremendously" from both seals and it shouldn't be driven. He said the next option would be to have them remove the transmission and either open it up to repair or replace it. Both sound like expensive options and I'm a bit upset that I took the car in for a minor leak and now I have two big leaks and a vibration. The owner also mentioned the vibration is likely caused by that CV shaft flopping around or moving slightly. What do you guys think? I'm not sure how much money I can put into these repairs.

[igpx12]

For the install you take off the wheels, unbolt the strut base from the hub assembly, slide out the CV end from the hub and then use a pry bar to pop out the transmission side of the CV. After the CV is pulled, pop out the old seal (output shaft seal) and clean with some brake clean on a rag. Install the new seal using a socket the same size as the outer diameter of it and lightly tap on it with a hammer until the seal sits flush.

There is the install procedure, if your CV axle was running smooth before you took it in, it doesn't sound like it was damaged on the transmission output. If I remember correctly the output shaft seals are 15.00 through timken for both sides, decent brand by the way. So they most likely f***ed up your seals that they put in by not installing them flush, messed up the CV joint when they had to replace the boot (in my opinion that's whats causing your vibrations) and of course you cant see that without removing the boot. In short, take it back with the paperwork, ask to see the parts as they are removed from the car if you want to be thorough. But anyway this is on them.