M50D-R1 shift rail plug leak and T-case rear output

[FritzTKatt]

I saw the article in the tech library and checked mine, since I couldn't pinpoint the slight leak. There isn't any noticeable ATF, but the whole top of the trans is covered in that nice oily dirt indicative of a slow leak, also the plugs are covered in it. I'd like to try the RTV sealant fix tomorrow. Has anyone done this from the cab instead of underneath? Seems like there's more room up top.

Also my T-case seems to have an oil seal leak from the rear out-put. There's a drip on the case there and a spray pattern above it. Otherwise I can't find a leak, and the front out-put is all clean and dry. Does this sound correct of the oil seal failure?

Haynes says basically pull the driveshaft and there is a 30mm nut in the flange, accessible with a thin-wall socket. Anyone have experience with this? Then the seal is right behind it and can be pulled with a screwdriver and new one put back in.

 

[4x4junkie]

Yep, remove the nut, remove flange, pry out old seal, tap new seal in, replace flange & nut (tq to 150 ft-lbs).
Sticking it in low range + 1st gear should keep the flange from turning while you remove/replace the nut.
Also, clean all the threads with some brake cleaner or similar then use some blue Loctite on it when you put it together.

Sorry I don't have info for getting at the plugs, never really paid attention to how much room there is above.

 

[Ranger SVO]

I saw the article in the tech library and checked mine, since I couldn't pinpoint the slight leak. There isn't any noticeable ATF, but the whole top of the trans is covered in that nice oily dirt indicative of a slow leak, also the plugs are covered in it. I'd like to try the RTV sealant fix tomorrow. Has anyone done this from the cab instead of underneath? Seems like there's more room up top.

There is plenty of room from the top. But you will have to pull the carpet all the way back.

 

[AllanD]

Those rubber plust are there because they perform the function of a transmission "Vent"

and while that area will have a sheen of oil because expanding air volume as the trans heats up can and will carry splash oil out with thei air...

But those plugs even if left out cannot explain oil loss sufficiant to cause catastrophic
failure.

IGNORING the trans oil level for YEARS can and does.

Oil leaking from those plugs tends to mask the real culprit...

The internal tailshaft seal and the fact that some idiot at Ford/Mazda made
a groove in the T-case mounting flange on the back of the trans to allow any oil that leaked past that seal to escape from the tailshaft housing.