Just got the car aligned on the rack at Mitsu and they pointed out that there is a leak near the front of the driveshaft. Looks like it hasn't been leaking long. My question is this a seal, or something I can change or will it take pulling the tranny off? I'm coming from the Honda world so this is new to me.

 

Anyone?

 

Tell us exactly from where it is leaking. If you need to, post a picture.

 

Right where the drive shaft goes into the trans. I guess right before the front U joint.

 

it can be changed easily if in fact that is where the leak is coming from. pull the front section of the drive shaft and then undo the 4 bolts on the tail section of the tcase(drain your tcase first) ans the seal you are looking for will be right in your hand in the tail section.

 

Thanks a lot, nice to get some good news on that.

 

I've never heard of this on an Evo 8, but there was a recall on DSMs concerning the front u-joint leaking. The tcase rocking with the engine would force transfer case gear oil through the pressed-in plug in the center of the u-joint as the two pistoned together. You can check for this by observing if there is a stripe on the underside of the body or on the exhaust in-line with the center of the u-joint. The u-joint will throw the oil out in a narrow straight line at a right angle to the drive shaft if leaking.

BTW, this is a high priority problem. The transfer case does not hold much oil.

 

It's a very small leak, not even a drip in the driveway. I'm going to order the seal this week and see about changing it.

 

mine did this too. pretty badly actually. I replaced drive-shaft and silicon-ed the new seal in the t-case tail housing. problem solved. easy to do too.

 

Would I need to replace the drive shaft?

 

No., you shouldn't have to. Before reassembling, just inspect the yoke.

 

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR CAR UNTIL YOU GET THIS FIXED. I also had a leak out of the rear of my T-case. I didn't see anything in the driveway either. One day, I was driving on the highway and started hearing a whining and got off on an exit to inspect. While getting off on the exit it sounded like a bomb went off under my car as the t-case locked up. Luckily I was able to keep control of the car and pull off to the side. When this happened, it also took out the ring gear and pinion on the rear diff as well. Please do not underestimate this problem and get it fixed.

 

Got an apt Thursday to get it fixed, $100 at Mitsu. I'll baby it till then.

 

Fixed today!

 

i have this same issue...where can you purchase the seal that is just inside the tail section of the transfer case?