32RH Leak at rear trans seal

Hi all,

'99 TJ Sport 4L
32RH 3 spd w/ deep pan
Allegedly the previous owner had a shop rebuild the trans

I've replaced the rear seal on my 32RH adapter housing with a Teraflex extended seal. I noticed that the wall where the seal sits is marred up from the previous "mechanic", I smoothed those out to the touch before pounding in the extended seal. While in there I replaced the T-Case input shaft seal too. The T-Case should be original to the Jeep, its an NP231J. The input shaft on the T-Case is the longer version.

I can see that the trans is still leaking through the weep hole on the adapter housing. I'm wondering what else this could be and what my options are? There's a bearing within the adapter housing just behind the seal, woudl that contribute to the leak? Or should I look for a new adapter housing all together? Also, I didnt use RTV between the T-Case and the the Trans adapter housing.

I've been monitoring Trans and T-Case fluids over time, T-Case stays at a good constant level. The trans usually needs topping off after a few days of driving. One thing to note, the trans trans dip stick isnt stock. May be possible that the dip stick gives an incorrect reading, it could actually be at the max level or overfilled slightly even though fluid is at the "OK" mark.

Any tips and links to parts would be greatly appreciated. I've put a ton of work into this thing though this is the last of the major repairs.

Thank you!
Kyle

grr said:

I had the same leak after swapping in my 32rh and installing a seal extension. I fixed it by removing the extension and reinstalled it with RTV. No leaks since.

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Thanks for chiming in!

Any tips on pulling that thing out?

grr said:

Take the transmission housing extension off, remove the bearing inside and hammer the seal extension out from the inside. Take note which way the bearing faces when you remove it and put it back in same way. Not sure that matters but I didn’t want to chance it being wrong.
Also be sure to let the RTV cure before refilling the tranny with fluid.

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Great tips, thank you so much! Got a buddy with a 2 ton press that should come in handy.

Last questions!
- Did you press/hammer into the rear of the extension housing to remove the bearing?

- Did you have to wet the extension housing gasket with ATF before installing?

Jerry Bransford said:

That's a good question, I know how tight they are from having pounded one into my previous 32RH. It's in there deep enough to make that job appear to be pretty tough.

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yeah got a 30min arm workout bashing it in lol

grr said:

The bearing is not a press fit, I removed mine by hand.

Clean and dry the trans housing extension and the seal extension and then apply RTV to the mating surfaces. Hammer the seal extension into the housing extension taking care to tap in as straight as possible. Remove any RTV that globs up and let it cure (24hrs). Reinstall the trans housing extension then place the output seal into the seal extension. I put a little fluid on the rubber part of the seal only when I installed it.

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Thanks again! I'll give it a shot this week or next and see what we get. Much appreciated!

Hey gang,

Just wanted to provide a lil update.

I dropped the T-Case and pulled the trans housing extension over the weekend. I used my buddy's press to get the Tera-Flex extended seal out of the housing. Upon getting it out I could see the divot I left on the housing from pounding the Tera-Flex seal in crooked the first time (F*#!). Had to smooth it down with an emory cloth. Hopefully the RTV makes up for the marring I caused or I may be looking for a replacement trans extension housing.

NOTE FOR ANYONE INSTALLING THE TERA-FLEX SEAL EXTENSION!!!
- Place the Tera-Flex seal in the freezer for a while, let it shrink (Went in so much easier).
- If you or a friend has a press its worth it to take off the trans housing extension and press it in straight rather than using a hammer in an awkward spot.

I'm waiting on the Gasket that goes between the trans and trans housing extension to show up. Plus I'll be out of town so I wont be able to button this thing up until week after next. I'll provide an update once I've got things together and tested. I'm also going to coat the underside of the trans extension housing at the weep hole with baby powder so I can monitor for leaks after installation.

Thanks again for the pointers!

(Attached photos are the trans housing extension with Tera-Flex Seal in place with RTV on all mating surfaces)

OK! Finally got her all buttoned up yesterday and took it for a spin. So far no leaks out of the ext. housing weep hole or at the t-case/ext. housing mating surface. I feel really confident in the fix though I'll call it 100% after I get more mileage on it.

Tips for this repair:
1. Put your Tera Flex Extended seal in the freezer before install.
2. Keep park sprag open for park shaft insertion by placing a zip tie behind it, it'll pull out easy once you have the Ext. Housing slid on far enough.
3. I used Bic pens as dowels to hold the gasket in place and line up the Ext. Housing with trans bolt holes.

Thanks again for the pointers fellas! Next on the list is a possible rear main leak, gonna switch to conventional and see what we get. May see a separate post on that lol, hoping its not related to the trans input shaft seal and trans pump gasket/seal I did back in Nov/Dec.

-Kyle