T56 Transmission and Driveshaft Problems
 

I purchased a T56 Transmission from a 2002 Camaro SS w/ 98K miles a few years back. I took the transmission to a local shop here in OKC and told them to go through the transmission and replace any parts that needed it. This was a transmission shop that was highly recommended by a friend who runs a Transmission Supply shop in the OKC area.

I recently had a brand new aluminum driveshaft built by another local shop.

The problem I am having is the driveshaft will go onto the edge of the spline about 1/4" and the rest of the way is very difficult to make it go on. I used a big rubber mallet and 5000+ hits later I got it installed. Once installed, the driveshaft binds and is difficult to turn without taking a pry bar and turning it manually. Even on the ground it takes quite a bit of effort to push the car. I took the driveshaft back out and took it back to the driveshaft shop and I tried installing it on several other transmissions and it slipped in as it should.

Does anyone have any idea of what could be the possible issues here? A couple things that I have come up with is:

-Bent transmission mainshaft,
-Damaged splines - but that doesn't make sense of why it would cause the binding
-Damaged rear housing-warped?
-Rear seal is too small for the OD of the shaft?

Has anyone seen or heard of anything like this? I am going to pull the seal out tomorrow to see. I hate the thoughts of having to pull out the transmission again.

*I have not added fluid to the transmission yet.

if i remember correctly the t56 has a bronze bushing in the tail shaft. may have a problem with the bushing, improper bushing. removing the seal and taking a peak wont hurt. also u did not mention of mods were made. factory main shaft, or upgraded? also just put the trans in neutral, w/o drive shaft in u should be able to speed output shaft with hand with little effort

thats one of those things that just shouldnt have to be forced. sounds like a bushing issue...see what it does with the seal out.

I will give that a try and see if that allows it to slip on.

I have lots of used T56 parts including tailhousings etc if you need some stuff from my pile o parts.

It is uncommon for a mainshaft to twist/bend the splines.... unless it was used in a high HP drag application. It is not uncommon for tailhousings to get damaged. You could upgrade to a larger spline mainshaft and bore out the existing tailhousing.... however the 30 spline Viper shafts are on national backorder.

We have used a Stage2 built T56 (stock mainshaft) behind an 1100rwhpturbo LS car that sees 1/2 mile racing mainly.... it doesn't launch hard and has been driving without issues for 4-5K miles. McLeod RXT clutch is totally streetable.
It went 9.20@162mph launching off idle. It now runs a T56 Magnum and has a bigger turbo with 250rwhp+ more potential simply because he wanted a smoother shifting trans.