Final drive filler hole location

[t-royR]

I don't know where to look to check the hypoid oil level on my 69 fasty automatic. Can someone share a pick or give me some good direction on location of that plug hole. I need to check the level.

T-roy
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T-roy
75 Super
71 Super
71 Ghia coupe auto-stick
71 Ghia conv
69 Fasty
74 Ghia conv

[sjbartnik]

Look on the left side of the transmission case, on the final drive section of the trans (the part that the axles come out of).

Should be a 17mm Allen fill plug on the side that you remove, then the oil level should be up to the bottom of the fill plug hole
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[t-royR]

hmmm. here are two photos. one is of the left side (drivers side) of the tranny and the other is the right side (passenger). I see a plug on the passenger side.

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T-roy
75 Super
71 Super
71 Ghia coupe auto-stick
71 Ghia conv
69 Fasty
74 Ghia conv

[t-royR]

The first photo shown is the passenger side.
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T-roy
75 Super
71 Super
71 Ghia coupe auto-stick
71 Ghia conv
69 Fasty
74 Ghia conv

[sjbartnik]

My bad for giving you the wrong side; on the manual it's on the left side.

But that 17mm hex plug you see is gonna be it.
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[t-royR]

Thanks. Interesting thing.....I have not checked that final drive oil level. I bought the car in 2017 and have driven it since with no issues.

When I pulled that plug, I expected to have nothing run out, and to have to stick my finger into the hole to feel the oil. But, instead, a flow of ATF came out of that plug hole. Seems that has been in there all along (since I've had it) and a lot of it. I guess it was enough lubricant and coolant for the amount of driving I did.

I am going to drain that and put in proper 90w gear oil
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T-roy
75 Super
71 Super
71 Ghia coupe auto-stick
71 Ghia conv
69 Fasty
74 Ghia conv

[Bobnotch]

[t-royR]

Thanks for the info. Seemed odd there would be so much in there. I assume I need to pull the engine?
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T-roy
75 Super
71 Super
71 Ghia coupe auto-stick
71 Ghia conv
69 Fasty
74 Ghia conv

[Bobnotch]

[sjbartnik]

[t-royR]

If anyone is aware of a good thread that walks through this main drive seal replacement, I would appreciate a lead. I will consult the Bentley to see if that will get me there.
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T-roy
75 Super
71 Super
71 Ghia coupe auto-stick
71 Ghia conv
69 Fasty
74 Ghia conv

[KTPhil]

At some risk of damage, you might drain and refill the final drive with the correct fluid. As suggested, someone may have added ATF where it didn't belong. It would be a bummer to go to all the trouble of replacing a seal when it didn't need one! I'd check it every couple of weeks and see if it contains ATF or if the level rises.

[t-royR]

I did drain the final drive few days ago. I went to add hypoid oil today and it only took 1 1/2 liters before it reached the bottom of the fill hole. From what I've read here on Samba and in my books, it should take about 6.3 pints (or 5.3 on a top off). I"m only getting 1/2 of that in before it seems to be full.

Any ideas? Safe to drive if oil is at the fill hole, I presume.
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T-roy
75 Super
71 Super
71 Ghia coupe auto-stick
71 Ghia conv
69 Fasty
74 Ghia conv

[t-royR]

Hey all. Finally got around to checking the hypoid oil level again after having re-filled it some many weeks ago now. Once again, full of ATF. Pulled the plug and a good quart + came flowing out. I have been driving it these past weeks before checking this time, and it has been driving good, like all times before. But, seeing the atf in the final drive concerns me now.

So, am I in for a huge effort to pull the tranny to replace a seal? Should I refill with final drive with hypoid, top off ATF and just continue driving as is?

Thanks for your opinions!
T-roy
_________________
T-roy
75 Super
71 Super
71 Ghia coupe auto-stick
71 Ghia conv
69 Fasty
74 Ghia conv

[sjbartnik]

[t-royR]

I concur. I'll look for some vids on pulling the tranny.

I pulled the drain plug on the final drive and I think something came out with the fluid. Hard to tell as car isn't on a lift, and I was on my back pulling the plug. But, sounded like something metal hit the drain pan I had in place, along with the outpour of fluid. After all the oil was out, I ran a magnet in the bowl of fluid and pulled out a piece of metal that looks like a flywheel key from a small engine (about 1 5/8 " long, square and about 1/8" thick on each side). kind of tapered on one end, and either tapered on the other, or actually is broken off.
It is pretty shiny like it has been bouncing around in a polisher. Looks a bit chewed up in places. Does that sound like anything that would come out of that final drive? It may have been a left over in my oil bowl, so might not have anything to do with this. I'll post a pic.
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T-roy
75 Super
71 Super
71 Ghia coupe auto-stick
71 Ghia conv
69 Fasty
74 Ghia conv

[t-royR]

here are the pics of the piece of metal.

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T-roy
75 Super
71 Super
71 Ghia coupe auto-stick
71 Ghia conv
69 Fasty
74 Ghia conv

[t-royR]

Hey folks. I am ready to dive in and try to change the seal between the parts of the tranny. Question.....should I pull the engine first, and then pull the tranny apart after? Or, should I pull the tranny with the engine attached?

I've pulled the engine a few times, but never the tranny.

Troy
_________________
T-roy
75 Super
71 Super
71 Ghia coupe auto-stick
71 Ghia conv
69 Fasty
74 Ghia conv

[Bobnotch]

[cpaz5150]

It's been a long time since I dealt with an automatic, but I'm pretty sure it's the same mounting as the manual. Either way, you shouldn't need to pull the engine, but you will need to pull the exhaust, heat, disconnect all the mounts, the bellow boot, and maybe pull some other various accessories for the space to move the engine back. You'll obviously need it supported and then you'd slide it to the rear of the car so you have just barely enough space to drop the trans by itself. It can be tricky, but with the right equipment and method, it's doable. It's always easier and nice to have extra hands, but i've nearly perfected the 1-man wrecking crew at this point for my cars. Good luck and take your time and many mental notes along the way.