Installing drive shaft on TKOII

joea · #1 (**permalink**) 06-27-2004, 07:48 PM

I have to install the drive shaft on my TKOII. There is a rubber seal of some sort over the output shaft that has teeth that match the teeth on the output shaft. The drive shaft is supposed to fit over the output shaft so the teeth lock. Am I supposed to remove this rubber piece with the teeth on it?

kountzecobra · #2 (**permalink**) 06-27-2004, 08:01 PM

The rubber piece is a spline protector for shipping purposes. (The reason I know is I had to ask the same question several years ago.) You can either remove it or just push it in. It won't hurt anything.

joea · #3 (**permalink**) 06-27-2004, 08:15 PM

Thanks...I'll pull it.

ebustin · #4 (**permalink**) 06-27-2004, 09:21 PM

Pull the plug not the dust cover.

joea · #5 (**permalink**) 06-28-2004, 07:55 AM

I pulled the inner plug...the one that has teeth. I left the outer rubber cover in place

CALHOON · #6 (**permalink**) 08-05-2004, 07:28 AM

It is designed to be pushed in with the drive shaft and be there forever. The reason you would not remove it is that poking around the seal lip with any kind of tool that may damage it is not a comfort. Also, the removal operation could dislodge the garter spring in the seal . The point is to NOT have leaks.

joea · #7 (**permalink**) 08-05-2004, 08:38 AM

Where did you get this info? Pushing it in is not something that is easy to do. I spoke to David Kee about this and he told me it is only there to protect the output shaft during shipping and handling.

CALHOON · #8 (**permalink**) 08-05-2004, 08:56 AM

We may be talking of two different parts. There is a molded plastic spline protector the covers the out put spline. There is also what is called the donut. It seals the spline to the lip seal. It takes the place of the where a slip yoke would be in an installation. It is used to prevent any oil in the box from leaking out in shippment. Although these are shipped"without" oil, there is enough residual oil in them to make a mess on an air shippment if the donut seal is not used. It is the donut seal I was referencing.

MidOHasp · #9 (**permalink**) 08-05-2004, 08:56 AM

Joe,

I pulled mine out and in the process damaged the seal slightly. Just be careful. Then, I pulled the seal out and got a new one and pressed it in. Then, the driveshaft was a real PITA to slide in the rear of the tranny, thought I had the wrong one or something. After much cursing, walking around dejected (obviously, this was one of the last things I needed to do to get on teh road), a little more elbow grease slid the little guy right in there. Just had to work with it a little....

CALHOON · #10 (**permalink**) 08-05-2004, 09:01 AM

Your experience( damage to the seal) is exactly why it is intended to be pushed in. Yes it may take more grunt than you would expect installing the yoke, but it is very effective.

joea · #11 (**permalink**) 08-05-2004, 09:17 AM

When did you notice the dameaged seal? Was it leaking only when you drove it? I have not driven mine yet

CALHOON · #12 (**permalink**) 08-05-2004, 09:23 AM

I would think that if it were a nick/ cut to the seal lip, it would manifest as a seeping / slight leak that would leave several drips from time to time. If the garter spring is dislodged it would be more of a serious oil loss. If the spring was lodged BETWEEN the yoke and the bushing- it could be devastating to the rear of the trans wear wise.

davidlee · #13 (**permalink**) 08-05-2004, 03:21 PM

I was told by Reg at Backdraft to remove the output spline protector. If it is not removed you may not be able to install the drive shaft. This problem would only occur if the drive shaft yoke had to penetrate into the tail piece deeply. I removed my spline protector with no problem and and no trouble with the drive shaft install and no oil leaks.

David

Rob_R · #14 (**permalink**) 08-05-2004, 06:37 PM

I had the same experience as David. I pulled the splined seal out and installed the driveshaft with zero issues on a TKO II. I had to remove the engine(s) in my car a few times. Because of these engine installs and removals, I would drain the oil from the tranny. I re-installed the splined seal to keep any residual oil from running out of the back of tranny during the engine extract/install process several times. Never had an issue with leaking seals on the back of the tranny. Just my 2 cents.

Robert

CALHOON · #15 (**permalink**) 08-06-2004, 05:33 AM

It is truely a matter of care and caution when installing a trans that really saves damage to the sel. You have proven that . There is an element that use no caution nor care and that is why the shaft protector and the donut seal are there.

joea · #16 (**permalink**) 08-06-2004, 08:31 AM

They should put an instruction sheet in the box with the trans.

CALHOON · #17 (**permalink**) 08-06-2004, 08:51 AM

I think there may be a problem with how much would / should be on such a sheet. Do yo tell a guy he has to balance a shaft after its' modified? Do you tell them to preserve the angle? How about the proper alignment of the bell? Most of these are just good car crafting practices and reflect basic abilities that are not a requirement to buy a transmission.

joea · #18 (**permalink**) 08-06-2004, 09:38 AM

Yeah but this shaft protector is specific to the Tremec I assume. BTW here is a link to the service manual if anyone needs it:

http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English...ice_Manual.pdf

CALHOON · #19 (**permalink**) 08-06-2004, 10:04 AM

I have seen the sline protectors on many autos and manuals. They are simply plastic caps that fit over the output spline.I think you are confusing the spline protector with the splined seal. Tremec makes a spline seal and an out put spline protector for every product they make.