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.

[Jmk91]

Some shops are crooks. I think you got screwed over personally. I changed both my axles in under 2.5 hours... And a new oem seal. I think they used a cheap seal or they didn't have the seal sit correctly inside the transmission. A used 5sfe transmission is 200-250$ as for fluid you can't just put anything inside... Some fluid causes grinding in gears... I tried redline and it grinded badly... Switched to pennzoil synchromesh and it shifted like butter. I'd raise hell with the shop explaining I just went in for this one small leak on ONE side now it's leaking on both badly... How is this my fault? Your shop did the work and obviously messed it up and I don't feel like it's my responsibility to pay for damage your shop did.

[cheela]

sounds like it should be covered by them and not you.

[CosaChow]

Hmm,

I wish I knew more about this actual repair so I could talk to them intelligently about the issue. I mean they made me aware that the repair they did on the driver's side area did have some risk. That being said the owner recommended that be done and said it's what he would have done if it was his vehicle.

[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.

[njccmd2002]

Leak seal most common cause is usint auto store parts and not oem

[CosaChow]

I'll talk to the shop and see which seals they used. I'm still not sure what they honed on the transmission or what could be causing the slight vibration. They replaced the CV on the driver's side during the repair process also so I would assume the CV itself is okay. I'm not sure if I should be trying to hold the accountable for additional repairs or not under the circumstances.

[mkernz22]

I'll talk to the shop and see which seals they used. I'm still not sure what they honed on the transmission or what could be causing the slight vibration. They replaced the CV on the driver's side during the repair process also so I would assume the CV itself is okay. I'm not sure if I should be trying to hold the accountable for additional repairs or not under the circumstances.

If you do any suspension work, it is recommended that you get an alignment afterward. That's the only thing I could think of for the vibration. Is the steering wheel moving back and forth when driving?

[CosaChow]

It's a really strange feeling. It's not very bad and seems to be better/worse at different times. It's not rhythmic and can't be felt through the brake pedal but is noticeable through the steering wheel at times. It's there even if the car is in neutral, or turned off if you're coasting. I feel like it may be that new CV joint they put in or something to do with that repair. It kind of feels like something is binding or catching causing a slight drag on one wheel.

[igpx12]

It's a really strange feeling. It's not very bad and seems to be better/worse at different times. It's not rhythmic and can't be felt through the brake pedal but is noticeable through the steering wheel at times. It's there even if the car is in neutral, or turned off if you're coasting. I feel like it may be that new CV joint they put in or something to do with that repair. It kind of feels like something is binding or catching causing a slight drag on one wheel.

I would definitely lean towards the CV joint, the axles would remain in motion if coasting and the joint could be binding causing that vibration. The only other thing I could think of that would cause it to vibrate would also cause the seals to leak and that's if they didn't install the shaft ends fully into the transmission.

[CosaChow]

I wish I understood what it was they said was damaged by the previous person who had that axle replaced. They said they had to hone an area to repair that damage and I just don't get what part that was. They showed me the old axle they replaced and pointed out some area that seemed damaged.

[igpx12]

The bit that's gets me with that though is before the shop visit, you didn't have any issue like that, just a leaky seal and damaged CV axle with no vibration.

This post has been edited by igpx12: Jan 26, 2016 - 4:22 PM

[CosaChow]

That part bothers me too. In fact before it was a very small leak from just the driver's side. Now I've got two leaks and a vibration. I spoke with the shop earlier and suggested they discuss covering a portion of whatever additional repairs are needed. They're supposed to get back to me tomorrow. On the phone they quoted $1100-1200 additional labor to remove and open the transmission plus whatever parts would be needed. I also found out the seals were not OEM but were a decent brand, I forget the name he mentioned, maybe TF something or other.

The bit that's gets me with that though is before the shop visit, you didn't have any issue like that, just a leaky seal and damaged CV axle with no vibration.

This post has been edited by CosaChow: Jan 26, 2016 - 4:27 PM

[igpx12]

Yeah that's ridiculous. I would say that if the issue was from before your visit to them, sure pay for the additional work if that is what's really causing it. Hate to say a place with such rave reviews would rob people in such a manner but it does happen, you could even say someone was incompetent. Bottom line though the mechanics notes show that after the work was done how leaky those seals were, that should be comped no problem. The vibration they could say that you were having the issue before hence the reason for the honing. If they can install the seals properly and you don't mind paying out of pocket ask for a new CV axle and to pay just the part cost, A CV axle replacement for me on a garage floor took about 15 Min at most.

[Bitter]

My guess would be they were talking about the bushing the shaft rides on inside the transmission, and it's true a ****ty remanufactured axle can damage that bushing. The bushing is what makes sure the shaft spins true and doesn't leak and holds it from wobbling and shaking. It's not really something you want to hone as that would introduce grit and particles into the transmission itself and would make it larger diameter than the axle that's supposed to ride against it with a close tolerance. If they had just left that alone it probably would have been OK with just a seal and a warning to you that they saw some damage inside on the bushing (and then explain the function of the parts and how they work together) which could cause the leak to return or other damage later on.

[igpx12]

You know I was thinking that too, but hoped they wouldn't tamper with that cause of the apparent side effects. I would have hoped they would just see about getting it replaced.

[CosaChow]

I just checked my receipts and one refers to it as the bearing inside the transmission and another calls it the bushing that is inside the transmission. That's the part they told me they honed and cleaned up.

[rave2n]

I just paid 800 to get that axle shaft bearing, or whatever the hell its called replaced on my S54. Driver side, slow leak, but mainly the bearing was making popping noises and wouldn't allow axles to come out easy.

GL man.

[CosaChow]

Well I spoke with the mechaninc and they are not willing to take responsibility for any of the issues. Basically they said that the repairs they did were the first try at fixing it, and now we have to continue with more repairs since that didn't work. Communication hasn't been great as the person I spoke with on the phone when I okay'd the original estimate definitely did not make it clear that it was likely to need this degree of additional work. Looks like it's going to be garaged for a while until I can get some funds together or just end up selling it

Thanks for all of the replies and helpful responses.

[CosaChow]

Anyone know what a reasonable price for a used manual transmission would be and what I could expect to pay to have it installed? I've been calling around but so far haven't gotten much info without taking it somewhere. I'm not sure if I should be looking to have someone swap in a used transmission or open this one up either. Mine has 133k on it, junkyard ones look to have that or more for the most part.