BuickDan
09-01-2001, 10:23 PM
Big time problem. I have a situation that concerns me. Long Story! Our Beautyful Old Buick (BOB) developed a torque ball seal leak. I ordered a new outer retainer with seal kit and took it to a local shop for replacement. They replaced the parts and sent me on my way. They gave me my old outer retainer, a new outer retainer they ordered for me when the one I ordered did not seal.
I did not make it 20 miles home without a massive leak. The shop said I needed a new torque ball with seal so I ordered one from the Buick Farm. It was listed as a "type 2". I decided to replace it my self this time. I removed the outer retainer bolts, Raised the rear end off of the ground. Used the bumper jack to move the rear end and torque tube back, then removed the outer retainer, torque ball, and inner retainer.
In summary I now have on my bench: 1 new torque ball with bonded rubber seal, 1 used torque ball without rubber seal, 1 inner retainer, 1 new outer retainer with rubber seal, 1 slightly used (20 mile) retainer with rubber seal, 1 original retainer with rubber seal.
Now it gets interesting. I placed the original Inner retainer on the bench and the new ball on top of it, then fitted the new outer retainer on top of the ball. with pressure on the outer retainer the ball has enough play to move up and down 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Same with the slightly used outer retainer. When I put the original outer retainer on and put pressure on it, the ball feels much tighter. I was told that you should not use a retainer with the rubber seal with a ball with rubber seal. No matter what retainer I use with the old ball with no seal it has play.
What am I missing? What do I need to insure the torque ball will not leak? Does any one have part numbers of what should be on a 1956 Dynaflow so I can attempt to order a complete new set of retainers and ball? I need help, I am desperate!
I did not make it 20 miles home without a massive leak. The shop said I needed a new torque ball with seal so I ordered one from the Buick Farm. It was listed as a "type 2". I decided to replace it my self this time. I removed the outer retainer bolts, Raised the rear end off of the ground. Used the bumper jack to move the rear end and torque tube back, then removed the outer retainer, torque ball, and inner retainer.
In summary I now have on my bench: 1 new torque ball with bonded rubber seal, 1 used torque ball without rubber seal, 1 inner retainer, 1 new outer retainer with rubber seal, 1 slightly used (20 mile) retainer with rubber seal, 1 original retainer with rubber seal.
Now it gets interesting. I placed the original Inner retainer on the bench and the new ball on top of it, then fitted the new outer retainer on top of the ball. with pressure on the outer retainer the ball has enough play to move up and down 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Same with the slightly used outer retainer. When I put the original outer retainer on and put pressure on it, the ball feels much tighter. I was told that you should not use a retainer with the rubber seal with a ball with rubber seal. No matter what retainer I use with the old ball with no seal it has play.
What am I missing? What do I need to insure the torque ball will not leak? Does any one have part numbers of what should be on a 1956 Dynaflow so I can attempt to order a complete new set of retainers and ball? I need help, I am desperate!