# "Chunk" Missing out of CV Axle Transmission Sealing Surface? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** acura, tsx\ **Created:** [April 6, 2025, 9:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chunk-missing-out-of-cv-axle-transmission-sealing-surface/199772 "2025-04-06T21:24:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pokemonyouandme123\_193319](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@pokemonyouandme123\_193319](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pokemonyouandme123_193319)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 9:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chunk-missing-out-of-cv-axle-transmission-sealing-surface/199772/1 "2025-04-06T21:24:02Z")
2014 Acura TSX, 4 Cylinder, Automatic Transmission Driver Side CV Axle Transmission Sealing Surface I went to replace the seal on my car, and noticed a “chunk” missing out of the CV axle transmission sealing surface. It’s at about the 5 o clock position. This is rather concerning to me. It doesn’t look like damage that I did with a seal puller. I would have expected gouges and scratches if it was damage caused by my seal puller. I didn’t have to pull super hard or anything, and I didn’t hear any snapping sound when pulling out the seal. I take it, it’s not supposed to be like this from the factory? I plan on replacing the seal, but I think this might have been a cause in the leak, there’s less sealing surface? Thanks for any help! ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/0/d06e93672f394e2472c8fa4eb4f957e384ee7e58.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![pokemonyouandme123\_193319](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@pokemonyouandme123\_193319](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pokemonyouandme123_193319)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chunk-missing-out-of-cv-axle-transmission-sealing-surface/199772/2 "2025-04-06T21:25:36Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/d/cdb9daea102d39784ba1cfe8663135fee71acf08.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chunk-missing-out-of-cv-axle-transmission-sealing-surface/199772/3 "2025-04-06T22:38:20Z")
Here’s my wild take . . . That looks too perfect, as if it’ssupposed to be there, perhaps to pop the seal out I would just go about my business . . . replace that seal, reinstall the cv halfshaft, clean everything up and then monitor it If there’s no further leak, your job is done ---
**Author:** ![pokemonyouandme123\_193319](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@pokemonyouandme123\_193319](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pokemonyouandme123_193319)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chunk-missing-out-of-cv-axle-transmission-sealing-surface/199772/4 "2025-04-06T23:22:48Z")
Thanks. Should I use RTV around the seal, for the mating surface? Some people say to. But it’s not mentioned in the service information. So I figured I wouldn’t. But maybe if it’s still leaking to give it a try. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chunk-missing-out-of-cv-axle-transmission-sealing-surface/199772/5 "2025-04-06T23:25:20Z")
I would avoid using rtv around the seal ---
**Author:** ![pokemonyouandme123\_193319](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@pokemonyouandme123\_193319](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pokemonyouandme123_193319)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 12:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chunk-missing-out-of-cv-axle-transmission-sealing-surface/199772/6 "2025-04-07T00:01:08Z")
Would coating it in ATF to help let it slide in be a bad idea? ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 12:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chunk-missing-out-of-cv-axle-transmission-sealing-surface/199772/7 "2025-04-07T00:10:25Z")
I agree with @db4690 - it looks like it’s machined in and supposed to be there. I also agree on not using any RTV. In fact, if that little notch serves a purpose the RTV can clog it up. But a little ATF for lube won’t hurt a thing. Then just monitor for leaks - but that’s SOP anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 12:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chunk-missing-out-of-cv-axle-transmission-sealing-surface/199772/8 "2025-04-07T00:16:33Z")
If you look at the seal, it’s completely coated in rubber. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/d/dd2bc7ebb479d1ec5186d057d8480de9a0802827.jpeg) So when you install the seal into the bore, that rubber is going to prevent any fluid from leaking from between the seal and the bore. A light coating of tranny fluid will make it slightly easier to install the seal into the bore. Tester ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 6:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chunk-missing-out-of-cv-axle-transmission-sealing-surface/199772/9 "2025-04-07T06:04:30Z")
If I am seeing it right, that notch is for the fluid to drain back when it slashes on the seal to keep it lubricated… or to relieve pressure from behind the seal, would have to see it better… Anyway, it is normal and do not block it off… ---
**Author:** ![pokemonyouandme123\_193319](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@pokemonyouandme123\_193319](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pokemonyouandme123_193319)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chunk-missing-out-of-cv-axle-transmission-sealing-surface/199772/10 "2025-04-08T16:56:09Z")
Thank you all. I’m installing the new seal. Per the service data, the seal should be “flush” with the transmission. So when I go around this surface with a finger that also goes over the seal, I should fill no “lip” at all of one surface over the other, indicating that each are at an even height? ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/b/d/bd1483bbfb993685d1876a93961a85ace2e2ee4f.jpeg) Any lip at all is not acceptable and may result in leaks? But I cannot just tap it in “all the way” until it “bottoms” out because then it won’t be flush as the seal will be further recessed then the other surface?