[DeTomaso] ZF gear oil

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/6/11 3:45:15 PM, justingreisberg at hotmail.com writes:

> Now, to change the output shaft seal (where the halfshafts attach), I 
> assume I would have to remove the unit again, which I am not ready to do 
> yet!!  Anyone know if it is possible to replace the seal while in the car??  I 
> dont think so. 
> 
Correct. The side plates must come off, and due to the lower cross-bolts 
running into the frame, the ZF must come out to remove them. The inner stub 
axles are retained in the side plates by c-clips that can only be removed from 
the inside. Once that happens, the seals can be tapped out, new ones 
installed and reassembled, then reinstall the ZF. The seals are std units 
available anywhere but the paper gaskets on each side are ZF only. Sometimes, you 
get lucky and the gaskets are reuseable. If not, RBT has them in stock.
Only thing to watch is, the side plates are visually identical but should 
go back in the same sides they came out of, since each assembly's tolerance 
stack is part of the ring & pinion pre-load. That includes the side plate 
gasket thicknesses- so its not a good idea to use home-made or generic gaskets. 
Not a difficult or expensive job, just tedious. Good luck- J Deryke