TKX Tailshaft Seal Question

[cv2065]

When I received my TKX, the UPS guys must have given it a good workout as the orange plastic protective plug in the tail shaft was cracked and crammed up into the seal. The seal looked like it might have had some rips in it, so I decided to replace it just in case. I pulled the seal tonight, cleaned any of the orange plug remnants out and am getting ready to install the new seal.

In looking at the area where the gasket seals, I see some jagged edges around the bushing. See pic. Not sure why that's like that but will that cause any sealing issues with the new seal? The one at 8'oclock is a little raised.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/239a0216-6f9e-4cc9-a0be-2ec53fb3e15d/71236e4f-bef0-4509-926c-f4b1178b219d.png?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/239a0216-6f9e-4cc9-a0be-2ec53fb3e15d/71236e4f-bef0-4509-926c-f4b1178b219d.png?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

[Dgc333]

I would be more concerned that those inclusions may score the slip yoke as it spins and goes in and out. If it does it could cause the seal to leak. I would install the slip yoke and turn it and slide it in and out. If it marks the sealing surface on the yoke you will need to file the inclusion down.

[cv2065]

I would be more concerned that those inclusions may score the slip yoke as it spins and goes in and out. If it does it could cause the seal to leak. I would install the slip yoke and turn it and slide it in and out. If it marks the sealing surface on the yoke you will need to file the inclusion down.

Agreed. Any issues with just taking a small rat tail file to smooth down any rough edges? The bushing has a lot of surface area. Or I could pop it out and replace the bushing for a couple of dollars. Although, I see bushing pullers/installers but not one specifically for the TKX.

[Dgc333]

My experience with other trannies is that you will need to take the transmission apart to get the bushing out. I would just clean up any rough edges and call it good.

[Jimmy B]

I worked on the exact same issue yesterday. The orange plug looked like it was hammered in. It was badly cracked and only about an eighth inch of it was visible out the tailpiece. I had to destroy it and the seal to get it out. Luckily, no damage to the tranny that I could see.
206731
This is after I gave up pulling it out and started taking it out piece by piece.
206730
What a mess.
206732
Finally all better. This was the first "fly in the ointment" I have had so far in the build.

[Jeff Kleiner]

So where are these TKXs that have been beat up in transit coming from and who has been the shipper?

Jeff

[tonywy]

I'm in heavy duty truck parts. I order an receive every day. You can try to go after the shipper but, you will probably have better luck going back to the vendor where you purchased the product from. They will have more leverage with the shipping company or they may simply replace the product. For me it's a constant battle.

[Jimmy B]

Mine came from Mike Forte. Can't recall the shipper.

[cv2065]

I worked on the exact same issue yesterday. The orange plug looked like it was hammered in. It was badly cracked and only about an eighth inch of it was visible out the tailpiece. I had to destroy it and the seal to get it out. Luckily, no damage to the tranny that I could see.
206731
This is after I gave up pulling it out and started taking it out piece by piece.
206730
What a mess.
206732
Finally all better. This was the first "fly in the ointment" I have had so far in the build.

Mine looked just like that. It was crammed up inside there where I needed to take it out piece by piece and even then, couldn't get it all without removing the seal. UPS delivered mine and I think they stored it in the truck on its end as there was fluid on the outside of the box and most likely crushed that seal into the shaft.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/239a0216-6f9e-4cc9-a0be-2ec53fb3e15d/d089d17c-bace-453d-b454-1a0342ff4689.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/239a0216-6f9e-4cc9-a0be-2ec53fb3e15d/d089d17c-bace-453d-b454-1a0342ff4689.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

[rich grsc]

The bushing is a soft material, it isn't going to damage the hardened steel driveshaft.

[cv2065]

I took a small file very lightly to the edges of the bushing and as Rich said, it's really soft material. I fit my driveshaft in and doesn't seem to be any issues, although now I'm noticing that my driveshaft has a few fingernail deep scratches the length of the shaft. Would that cause leaks as well?

Would a T5 have the same tailshaft bushing as the TKX? I see numerous pullers for that size of shaft. Just don't want any leaks once installed.

[Jimmy B]

"Mine looked just like that. It was crammed up inside there where I needed to take it out piece by piece and even then, couldn't get it all without removing the seal. UPS delivered mine and I think they stored it in the truck on its end as there was fluid on the outside of the box and most likely crushed that seal into the shaft."

Here is mine upon delivery.

[Mike.Bray]

It does look like they are storing/shipping them upright. I don't remember on mine, is the box marked in any way like "This side up"?

[cob427sc]

My guess is the shipper storing and bouncing on the end. I recieved one from Forte last year and the box was perfect and I now store another old transmission in the box. It does say "this side up" on the top surface. Also looks like some of the interior package spacers are out of place in your picture which allowed the tranny to bounce around in the box.

[PNWTim]

I purchased a TKO from Silver Sport four years ago and they were pretty adamant about hanging onto the box for return shipping in case there as an issue. Mine was pristine, the plug popped right out and I do believe it had up arrows on it. Kept if for a few years but finally pitched it :rolleyes:.

[Jim Doak]

I opened my TKX shipping box today to install the transmission onto my engine. Like some of the others above (Jimmy B & CV2065), the orange plug was damaged and I destroyed the tailshaft seal during removal of the plug. However, the shipping box was in pristine condition; no indication of rough handling.

Anyway, I called Silver Sport Transmissions this afternoon (spoke with Wade), and he's going to send me a new seal.

Question: What did you guys use to install the seal? Any special tool? A short piece of correct-sized PVC pipe? Something else?

[cv2065]

I opened my TKX shipping box today to install the transmission onto my engine. Like some of the others above (Jimmy B & CV2065), the orange plug was damaged and I destroyed the tailshaft seal during removal of the plug. However, the shipping box was in pristine condition; no indication of rough handling.

Anyway, I called Silver Sport Transmissions this afternoon (spoke with Wade), and he's going to send me a new seal.

Question: What did you guys use to install the seal? Any special tool? A short piece of correct-sized PVC pipe? Something else?

I used a 2” electrical coupler from Lowes. I have a picture of it in by build thread. Fits perfectly.