Hey all,

While working on my midlands transmission I wanted to replace the output shaft seals for where the axles go into the transmission. I noticed they were seeping oil and so I figured I'd replace them to be safe.

I ordered them along with a few other small things but the parts I received look very different from the OEM ones. I know the ones I got are aftermarket, and usually I stick with OEM but the price difference was significant. I guess maybe this is why :(
If you do a google search, you'll find both styles of seals are available for the midlands r65 transmission. The cheaper ones are found at your generic parts store (national 223045 and 474288) but they're very different from OEM.

The measurements seem to be the same when checked with my calipers, but the design doesn't seem as good. I'm not 100% sure they'll work. I'm debating returning them for OEM. I'm also debating just leaving the old seals in there to see if the leak might be coming from elsewhere (the CPS was leaking, as was the oil pan, so those have been fixed). Not sure how hard it will be to do these once the trans is in the car though, in case it turns out that they do leak.

Does anyone have experience using these aftermarket seals? Are they OK to use or no?



OEM seal:




OEM vs Aftermarket

 

I would just get the OEM or OES ( which is the same , just from another source ) you don't want that to leak down the road again, then have to pull the axles again . The measurements are on the seals.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2002-Cooper-R50-Base-Coupe-L4_1.6L_W10B16A/Drivetrain/Manual_Transmission/Gaskets_-and-_Seals/



We have other hard to find parts for the Midland 5 speed linked here:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2002-Cooper-R50-Base-Coupe-L4_1.6L_W10B16A/Drivetrain/Manual_Transmission/




Thanks

 

Thanks for the advice. I was leaning towards getting OEM seals anyway. It seems ECS ships from closer than I thought and the price was competitive, so I went ahead and ordered them. Here's to hoping I get them by Saturday so I can finish the car up this weekend! *nudge nudge*

I contacted the seller of the other seals, and they said that they have a strong order history on those seals with only one return. That being said, they look to be thinner and do not have a lip to seat them against the transmission properly. I don't want to take my chances on this one. Buyer beware.

 

Thanks, and I am glad I could help. Hope you can get it done this weekend and you are not too far away.

 

Maketoast: I rebuilt my 2002 R50 Midland tranny and I brought all my parts from minimania http://www.minimania.com/. Its been 3 years and all is well and I drive my car HARD very HARD the way it was meant to be driven. If you don't buy the seals from them then I would ONLY use OEM ones period.