Cliffs: Used fill plug to fill tranny, could this be overfilling it? I know almost everyone does this, but is the FSM way the proper way (through the Speedo sensor hole)???? May not damage tranny, but should the oil be up to the seals as it was in my case?
Long version (worth reading if you know your sh*t and wanna help):
Almost three years later, reviving thread due to recent events...
Had to change the driver's side axle (changed the whole axle, didn't wanna mess with individual cv joints - outer had a torn boot, lost grease, joint wore down started clicking).
Anyways, the Haynes manual said to place a pan when you remove the inner side of the axle from the tranny diff. Didn't notice and leaks before removing the axle, but once removed, some tranny fluid did come out.
A mechanic friend told me that the fluid shouldn't be all the way up to the seals. From a design perspective, I would agree. You can design the seal to receive a bit of lube without having the fluid level at the seal. He said it should be just below the fill hole when level. Don't know if at this level oil would come out of the axle seals or not.
When I changed the tranny fluid previously, I used the fill plug and filled until it poured a little, waited, then put the fill plug back.
Also, I did notice some oil residue where the shift rod goes in at the back of the tranny. Now all this could be caused by a worn shift rod seal, but I'm left wondering if using the fill plug leaves a bit too much oil in. I'm gonna change it anyway and I guess we'll see.
So basically, I'm wondering if anyone (1) has filled via the speedo hole according to the FSM where it says to fill to 34-40mm to the edge of the speedo gear hole edge; and (2) then removed an axle because they had to for whatever reason and noted whether fluid came out. Also, anyone who knows manual trannys - should the oil be up to the seals?
edit: yes, I've heard how much of a pain it is and how the speedo sensor is very fragile.
Oh, and 260,000km on the car.
