Nsf Drive Shaft Seal Leak :(

[abraxas]

Hey all!

Been a while since I was here last… although I still do pop in an lurk every so often good to see the "usual suspects" are still here in full contingent! and I’m sure y’all missed my considered input. :)

I just took the RAV to the dealer for a service and got an advisory that a “NSF Drive shaft seal is leaking”. The usual ridiculous labor price in tow and I am now thinking that it is not worth paying the main dealer for the work…

While I am sure the part itself is not expensive, I was just wondering if you thought that this is a DIY-fix or should I try to find a local garage to look at it? I couldn’t find a sticky with any instructions even though I thought that this would be a common problem…

Well, I’m definitely no master-mechanic but I’m no stranger to a spanner set. The thing is that I prefer to know exactly what has been done as I don’t really implicitly trust anyone. :) I like to know that a good OEM part and a fair deal of care has gone into the fix and don’t mind “making a loss” by taking hours to do the job. . Call me a skeptic. :)

Anyhow… any views/advice/pointers welcome. (Or/and a recommendation of a good independent in central Scotland if you all think this ain’t a driveway-job. )

Thanks!

[Big Kev]

Wotsha V,

Bothy' boys at Murrawell are still highly rated by him......look at the recent pictures of his dashboard....lol.

May bewortha go if you have doubts.....?

Big Kev

[abraxas]

Thanks kevster. Looks like either I'm asking a daft question or this ain't a common problem...

Looks like I may well need to visit a garage. Not sure about bothy's garage, though. They'll take my diesel engine oot and put a stage2 aff an Arianne 4 :) and who can afford a road tax on that ?! :)

[IanXT4]

I did the NSF oil seal on my petrol 4.2 a while back. If its the same layout as yours, its definitely achieveable if you are handy with a spanner, however its not the easiest of jobs and I did have to buy a couple of bits.

Some of the issues I encountered -

- I needed a long twelve point socket to get the wheel hub nut off, the size required is usually only available at 6 point so you may need to order one . Theoretically the job can be done with the driveshaft attached to the hub, I found the extra working space with the driveshaft removed essential

- I needed a good slide hammer to remove the driveshaft as there is nothing to pry against

- I found a crow bar covered with tape the best way to remove the old seal

- The new seal is wide and fits very tightly, I found you needed to tap it in slowly to stop it tilting and jamming. The seal also has a raised lip which stops flat objects being used as a drift. I found that the old oil seal could be trimmed to make a suitable custom fitting seal drift.

Each seal is about £20 and I ruined the first replacement getting the technique right !!

I also found this link useful as the seal fitting in the MR2 is the same as the petrol 4.2

http://members.multi...2driveshaft.htm

[bigend]

Screw a couple of self tapping screws in and prise off those.

Keith

[abraxas]

Thank you very much for the replies guys. I am starting to realise that this may be beyond me capabilities. :( Mainly because of lack of a good space to work in (garage is tiny and brim-full of junk) and then there is specialist tools and parts Ian mentions. I may need to just bite the bullet and pay the garage to get it done. And prey that they do a good job.

The thing is that I have never seen a drop of anything that actually leaked out of the thing onto the driveway. I may need to have a better look to figure out what is going on first. And maybe take it to a different garage. "Trust but verify." as Horatio would put it :) <takes sunglasses off ... YEEEEEEAH! > :)

Thanks for all your replies guys!

[Davrav]

Quote: The thing is that I have never seen a drop of anything that actually leaked out of the thing onto the driveway. I may need to have a better look to figure out what is going on first. And maybe take it to a different garage. "Trust but verify." as Horatio would put it <takes sunglasses off ... YEEEEEEAH! >

Thanks for all your replies guys! Unquote

V, I was advised that there was evidence of an oil 'mist' from that area on mine at last service but that it was insignificant at the time but to keep an eye on it..............................

I have no evidence of any dripping oil either.

Could be the start of similar issue maybe?

[IanXT4]

Mine never leaked drops of oil on the drive, but it was obvious from looking at the gearbox case that oil was slowly being released. If you put your finger on the inner driveshaft it would also feel slightly damp. At the time I thought I would just monitor it, I then read somewhere that as the seals go the oil picks up grit from the road and the paste can start to grind the shaft seal interface leading to expensive repairs and serious leaks.

It was warm and dry so I decided to repair it before the winter set in.

I think I was quoted £150 from Mr T with hard negotiation. My local dealers seem reasonable when you mention you car is "older".

With hindsight this was probably a good deal as the parts and tools cost me £100.

[el rocco chicko]

I know this is an old thread but here goes.... I have the same problem with my 97 rav did you manage to diy ? Im trying to source an 80mm seal but its harder to find than the easter bunny. ?????