how do you replace the shift rod seal in a 904? do you just pop it out from the outside and tap the new seal in around the shift rod? should i clean the area with anything before installing new seal? also the converter seal, same question just pop it out and install new seal? The converter seal looks brand new and the rubber is soft ( should i replace it anyway)?

i knock them out from the inside with a screwdrives...and use a large socket ..7/8 i believe to drive it back in.

I have learned to drop the valve body (even with trans in car) to facilitate seal replacement.
Make sure the top of the seal area on the trans is clean and your shifter shaft is clean without damage. I also use a bolt, washer and socket to pull the new seal in. This is such an inexpensive seal, but it can cause so much anguist if it leaks again. I would also replace the front and rear seal (with boot for slipjoint).

If you have the valve body out, don't forget to change the "U" shaped seal in there too.

2 seal at the shift lever

one for the shift lever and a small one that is for the throttle pressure valve

you have to remove the e-clip for the little one

best to remove the vb and do this

and when you have the e-clip off do not let the rooster comb drop and the detent ball pop out

the bolt washer thing works well for the install of the seal into the case

with the vb removed you can knock the seal out from the bottom with a screw driver

other things to check are the rod for the rev band lever in the back by the tail housing,you can see it from the out side and some sealer on it should make it not leak if its leaking

look at the N-safty switch also to make sure the seal on it is not leaking

check the kick down band adjustment bolt some times they will weep fluid at the threds

clean all of it with some brake clean first,then some baby powder will help locate a leak on it also

Can this also be done without dropping the VB while the trans is still in the car?

bump... can this be done while the trans is still in the car?

Yes, it can. I've done 2 in a car. Jack it up from the drivers side, so the fluid runs to the passenger side...away from the seal. You will need a screwdriver short enough to be able to drive into the seal and pry it out. Clean the shaft good before you ever pry the old seal out. The way I installed the new seals was to select a deep socket that was almost the same diameter as the new seal.Oil the new seal so it will slide down the shaft easy, and slide it down against the case.I then took a large enough C clamp to fit over the socket after it was placed down on top of the seal, and opened it up enough to get the screw part under the pan with a thin block of wood in between. Put the top part of the C clamp on top of the socket, and tighten it. This will push the seal in place. It worked good for me, and never lost a drop of fluid. Good luck

You may want to try this first, call a couple of local tranny shops and see if they have the seal tool for this. Its really quite simple and fast and they shouldn't charge a whole lot. I'm not a shop but I have them, you simply remove the lever and use the tool to remove the seal, it has threads on the outside that catch the metal body of the seal and pulls it out, reverse it to install. Before I got my own the last guy charged me I think like 30-40 bucks, well worth it in my opinion, good luck.

thanks all, the job was done last week and the car is mobile. this car sat for 22 years in a garage so most of the maintanence items needed to be done.