Subaru repair question

"desertdog5051" (desertdog5051) 10/26/2013 at 20:55 • Filed to: None

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1998 Subi, Legacy Outback, 2.5 L,

The front differential is losing fluid. There is no evidence of leakage at the dipstick or anywhere else. Replaced the gasket on the drain plug recently.

Any thoughts?

SteyrTMP > desertdog5051 10/27/2013 at 00:47

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Check the axle seals. My 07 is leaking from a broken inner seal.

I realize the older model design and the later models are different, but it could be a very probable place.

desertdog5051 > SteyrTMP 10/27/2013 at 00:51

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Appreciate the advice. Thanks.

SteyrTMP > desertdog5051 10/27/2013 at 11:38

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You're in luck. The older models are easier to remove the half-shafts than the newer ones. Of course, I didn't realize this until I had been under the car for a while...

The newer models have proper splines in the half-shafts. The older ones have stubs protruding from the transmission/transfer case, so you only need a slight bit of pull to pop the half-shaft out. I had to remove the axle nut and pull the entire axle out. Bleh.

Yours should look like this:

and

DIY Instructions

desertdog5051 > SteyrTMP 10/27/2013 at 11:48

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Thank you for that. So, if I look under the car at the axle exit area of the transmission I should see some evidence of oil?

SteyrTMP > desertdog5051 10/27/2013 at 16:22

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Yeah. Without looking at it right now, I'd figure look around the driveshaft exit point, and the two axle exit areas on the transmission. That's the typical leak areas. I highly doubt the seals have ever been replaced. When I took the right front axle out, the seal fell out, as the spring inside of the seal had been hanging on by a thread. When the axle came out, the spring separated from the rubber part, and there was no way of getting the two back together. I have to check it every once in a while; next time I get more than 5 minutes to myself, I want to replace it, as I have pricey fluids in there... I can't spend 100 bucks every few months.

Which brings me to the fluids part. If your leak is from one of the seals, you're going to have to drain the fluids. Unless they are brand new, and very expensive, I expect you will dispose of them. When replacing, be picky. Don't go to Wally World and buy their cheap crap... I learned this the hard way. I put Mobil 1 trans fluid in mine, and the 4th syncro started acting up. It'd grind in and out of 4th, no matter how gentle I was, at highway speeds. I did some research, and ended up buying Redline Shockproof and Motul gear oil. The exact types, I forget, if you are going to go that route, I can find you the documentation. I mixed them to close to 50/50 and it's been working wonderfully.

The other option is using Subaru gear oil. Being the factory fluid, it's probably just as expensive, but it's probably just as good. Plenty of people just use that.

It's all relative to weither or not that is the issue.

desertdog5051 > SteyrTMP 10/27/2013 at 16:37

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It does have fresh fluids in trans (auto) both front and rear diffs. The front diff does not hold very much and it is down to the low on the stick so it is not a big problem and I have more. Thanks for the reply. You have been very helpful.

SteyrTMP > desertdog5051 10/27/2013 at 18:02

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You'll be surprised. My 07 holds 3 quarts in the front and almost 1 in the rear dif, if I remember correctly. Check your manual, of course.