Gray1991

I have a 1991, 22re, 4X4, W56 transmission. My clutch was starting to slip. I've removed the transmission and instead of a dust covered bellhousing, it was all oil! I think that the input shaft seal is leaking. The front bearing retainer (cover) is covered in oil and the clutch fork boot is all swollen. From the research I've done this is typical of a leaking input shaft seal. Also, the input shaft has some play in it. More play up and down, side to side than in and out. How much play is normal? Should I just replace the seal and hope for the best, or does the transmission need to be rebuilt? I'm also replacing the clutch and resurfacing the flywheel. I have not removed the flywheel yet, so I guess the rear main seal could be leaking. I guess I don't want to replace the clutch and then have it get ruined again. Any suggestions would be really appreciated. Thanks.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

What does the oil smell like? Easy enough to tell if it is gear oil or engine oil.

Gray1991

Yeah. It smells like gear oil. I guess I'm still wondering how much play is OK for the input shaft. I just don't want to put a new seal in and then have the clutch ruined again because the seal continues to leak. I guess I should include that the transmission makes a lot of noise in 3rd and 5th gear.

bugs1961

Sounds like the input bearing is loose or worn. There shouldn't be any play in the shaft, and yes, play in the shaft will cause the new seal to fail soon.

Gray1991

Thanks for the info bugs. That's what I was afraid of.