416 transmission - loose bolts and leaking fluid

[sniffadog]

Hi, can anyone help me? noticed low transmission fluid levels and a leak, then that the bolts were coming loose holding the transmission between front and rear drive shafts together (see attached photo). Has anyone experienced this before and how did you fix it? Is it just as someone suggested from experience that the bolts were overtightened or could it be a sign that a bearing has worn inside the transmission and is shaking them out? Or ....what else ? Also, if anyone has a repair/workshop/parts manual for the 416/7, 4-speed, hi-lo then I would be most grateful as I am stuck here in Zambia and cannot obtain easily.
Many thanks

 

[paulventer]

Sniffadog

I've never had that happen to me, but my suspicion would be that the bolts were either not tightened enough and/or had no locktite on them when they were assembled (I seem to read something about using Locktite on these bolts in my German manual...).

I would suggest you remove them and inspect - if they all look good, reassemble with locktite (according to the technical data book those bolts have to be at 65nm torque - see attached pic).

The torque tube rotates on a (nylon?) bushing inside that housing. It could be that the bushing is worn. I'm not sure how to test for play - I would think if you can somehow push/pull the front axle while suspended, you'd be able to feel/hear if there is play on the torque tube bushing.

Attached is an image from my workshop manual showing the bits and pieces of the front axle. Unfortunately my manual is in German - hope your German is better than mine... ;-)