changed o/s wishbone, now gearbox leaking from driveshaft

[tucker]

as per title, just changed the wishbone on the drivers side as the balljoint collapsed and everything fell off the car , but as i rolled off the ramp i noticed a spot of gearbox oil. didnt think it was anything much to worry about as there were other spots of oil on the workshop floor which were not from my car. got to tesco, less than a mile away, shopped for about half hour got back and there was a small pool of oil under the car. now, can anyone tell me if ive missed anything in pushing the driveshaft back into the gearbox, are there any seals i need to replace?? dont know as there were no rubber remnants under the car when i moved it from where everything collapsed.......any help or advice would be appreciated

[Gaz]

assuming your drive shaft is all the way in - did it click and locate properly?
Only really leaves the driveshaft seal that's about £10-20 from vauxhall - depending on where you go.

[tucker]

well, it went in, didnt feel a click though. driven for 10 miles without any sort of knockling sound id associate with a shaft thats not in place, plus everything went back together as it should have ?????? is it easy to change the seal or is it a 'split the box' kinda job?

[Gaz]

you have to get the shaft all the way inside box- the face of the large section of the shaft should look like its basically touching the box

the seal just pops into the box its around where the shaft goes in its tight but it does go in, you just need to take the shaft out to replace it

[tucker]

cheers fella, ill try and get it up on the ramp again tomorrow and check.

[Gaz]

let me know how you get on.

[tucker]

problem sorted, driveshaft hadnt fully located itself, was out by about half inch, quick whack with a hammer and it clunked in nicely

[Gaz]

Glad its sorted, its nice when its a simple fix

[Squig]

point for people reading this... when the term hammer is used with driveshafts, use a wooden/rubber mallet as I very nearly knackered a driveshaft tapping it in with a lump hammer (didn't think of the threads)

[Gaz]

then you have to hacksaw off the end of the threads that you killed cos you cant grind it.

[tucker]

yeah, good point squig, although i used a long bar with a squarish end on the metal lump close to the gearbox so i didnt actually hit the shaft too hard

[Squig]

then you have to hacksaw off the end of the threads that you killed cos you cant grind it.

Ahh ha! Wrong! Use a dremel and some serious care and it is possible to remove the damaged threads... how I fixed it once I'd learn this lesson...

yeah, good point squig, although i used a long bar with a squarish end on the metal lump close to the gearbox so i didnt actually hit the shaft too hard

I must admit getting the shafts out a 3ft crowbar is your bestest friend in the whole shed! But back in I opt for wooden/rubber mallet (rubber ones don't tend to last thou)