TheSamba.com :: View topic - A hole in the transaxle by a nut in the front?

Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:25 pm

My transaxle has been leaking, so naturally I changed the boots. Noticed it was still leaking (bad) and got under there to find a small hole above a nut towards the front, where the cone mounts to the body of the transaxle?

Anybody know what this is? It is just dripping out of there...looks factory, like it is a blow-out plug of some kind, or could be cause the car is up in the air (leaning forward a bit) and this is some type of overflow drain?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:29 pm

On the top of the nose cone there is a Vent hole.And sometimes
it requires a modification to the nose cone .
to allow the oil to Drain Back into the case.

There is a pic in my Gallery that shows where to notch it.

Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:51 pm

Missing switch for backup lights or 4th gear (late tranny)?

Is the hole threaded?

Thu Apr 26, 2012 5:06 pm

There are plastic plugs in a few holes up there. Something to do with the detent balls for the shift forks.

Clean it well with brake clean and you can actually plug the hole with RTV if you get it clean long enough for that to set up.

Or you can make a plastic plug and drive it in the hole.

Thu Apr 26, 2012 5:38 pm

These are the holes the dr is talking about...

Originally they had a plastic plugs in them, but they degrade and fall out with time.

You can call Rancho and see if they sell replacements,

make some tapered plugs from hardwood,

or seal them with silicone sealant as a tempotrary fix.

Wed May 16, 2012 4:51 pm

so recently i've been doing a lot of research on these plugs, do to my own leaky trans issues..... and wanted to share with anyone who might have this problem curently or in the future.... i stopped at the local trans shop and the guy there suggested freeze plugs, went next door to the auto parts place purchased a 10.24mm diameter freeze plug, cleaned out the holes good, put a little rtv arount the plug, and like a glove! just thought i would share this because its a good solution! each plug cost a buck, any parts store should have them and it sure beats the hell outta wood or just using sillycone... really hope this helps someone down the road!

Thu May 17, 2012 8:47 am

Are those metal or rubber freeze plugs? If they are the rubber ones, the tranny fluid may eat them pretty quickly.

Thu May 17, 2012 11:17 am

drscope wrote: Are those metal or rubber freeze plugs? If they are the rubber ones, the tranny fluid may eat them pretty quickly.

The fact that he said he put a little rtv around the plug tells me that they are metal ones. You are correct in that rubber ones wouldnt last very long.