1996 Maxima 5speed swap problem - Leaking fluid from passenger axle seal

[USC Justice]

OK. I have done the 5spd conversion on my 96 Maxima SE. Got it put back together and it leaked from both axle seals. replaced the seals, and it still leaked from both sides. Read some more and discovered the thread on the Differential Bearings. Out of the car goes the transmission for a tear down. The bearings and their races were shot to say the least. There was no other damage inside the transmission.

New races, shims, bearings, and reassemby. Now the transmission is back in the car. It leaks a little from the passenger side axle seal at the bottom (not from the axle itself). I have now changed out with a spare passenger side axle that I had from the automatic. No change in the leak. I have also changed out the seal on the passenger side as well. Now that this has been completed, it still leaks a bit, but much less than before.

Could it be that I have overfilled the transmission (read conflicting reports on how much transmission fluid goes in) and it's simply pushing out the overfilled amount through the seal?

Any other thoughts on the possible cause for the leak? The axle seal is from Nissan, and I also checked where the seal fits for any burrs or other abberations that could prevent the seal from seating.

Thanks in advance.Donald

[MaximA32]

I would make sure that you were using the correct axles. Did the 5MT come out of another SE? If they did, make sure they are the VLSD axles as all 4g Maxima SE's came with VLSD standard.

[USC Justice]

The axles came out of a 99 SE without the VLSD.

From further discussion with my local dealer, it would appear that I have gotten the wrong seal from them for the passenger side. Short answer from them is that the drivers side axle seal should end in 00, and the passenger side ends in 01. The seals I have been getting are 00. They are the same size diameter on both sides, but the backside of the seal is different from what I am told.

Does that sound right?

[MaximA32]

Sounds right. Let us know how it turns out.

[USC Justice]

OK, the seal has been swapped, and it now leaks worse than before. I'm downcast and confused as to what the possible solution can be at this point. It is not leaking from the bottom of the seal as before. It is now leaking from where the axle fits into the seal.

That leaves me with a couple questions.

Could the problem be that I possibly (slight chance) have messed up the spring on the back of the inner part of the seal, thus allowing for the leak?

Could the problem be with the axle itself? It is a used axle from a salvage yard. Was thinking of spending the money on a reman axle.

Could the problem be that the support bearing bracket is different between years or between MT and AT?

What other things might it be? I admit to being thoroughly stumped. The transmission itself was opened up about 10 days ago, and under the supervision of a service tech, I disassembled the transmission, and we pressed out the old differential bearings and put new ones on. Following that, new races were put in, and the proper shims were installed on the side where shims came out of.

I'm just at a loss and frustrated for once.

Thanks in advance.Donald

[sprky_02]

First post here, but I am on several other Forums.On my 1998 Maxima 5-spd with out ABS & with out locking diff., I had a bad axle/ CV joint on passenger side. Replaced with Reman axle and now have a leak also. Typical if you bother a seal, so replaced with correct seal, refferenced by BCA/NATIONAL Part # 710124 Trans. RS5F50A . Now leaks probably worse than before. Talked to part store about shaft diameter, BCA says Inside diameter / shaft size should be 1.299" Can anyone verify Nissan spec. diameter on the sealing area of the shaft for this model?