DeltaNu1142 Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I'm installing coilovers today. I've done this once before with Bilsteins with relatively few issues, then aligned, and put a few thousand miles on, so I don't believe there were any issues when I began. I jacked up the entire front end & put it on stands. Wheels straight, in first gear. The right coilover went on with no issues. In fact, I was marveling at how well things were going. I should have known better. I pulled the bolts for the left strut, and it was under tension. That is, the axle/hub was being held up by something. When I got the strut loose, I was genuinely concerned I was going to rip the boot. When I finally got the strut from out in between the top hat & the axle, a sudden quick dump of fluid came from the tranny, and then stopped. The left axle now moves freely up & down. I've stopped to take pictures, because I don't know what's up. In both first & second gear, the front wheels turn freely in opposite directions... WTF... First this... http://i.imgur.com/au5DFer.jpg Then... http://i.imgur.com/au5DFer.jpg Leaking from here: http://i.imgur.com/wNRgTqn.jpg Tits mcgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoozeRS05 Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 Have you replaced a half shaft on that side before? The trans oil seals do damage easily, had both of mine replaced recently. The right side seal was leaking pretty badly after the half shaft was replaced, and the left side was weeping at the seal just through fatigue. EB's Subaru journal - 2005 LegacyGT Wagon & 2014 Forester FB25 (2008 specB - RIP) IG@legacygtliving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derp Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 Did you pull the axle slightly out of it's 'seat' by accident? I.e. when you install the axles you have to pop them in past that retaining clip or whatever, is it possible that the axle was pulled out slightly? This happened to me once, I ended up tapping the axle back in with a hammer. Stopped my leaking. I could suck start a snow blower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoozeRS05 Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/need-help-tranaxle-oil-seals-201537.html EB's Subaru journal - 2005 LegacyGT Wagon & 2014 Forester FB25 (2008 specB - RIP) IG@legacygtliving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaNu1142 Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 Have you replaced a half shaft on that side before? Nope - less than 40k on my car. Did you pull the axle slightly out of it's 'seat' by accident? I.e. when you install the axles you have to pop them in past that retaining clip or whatever, is it possible that the axle was pulled out slightly? This happened to me once, I ended up tapping the axle back in with a hammer. Stopped my leaking. Interesting. It's possible. I may have pulled it out and then it went right back in, because I've given it almost an hour & no leaking. Is it possible it's anything else? I'm going to go down & install this coilover and then move to the back. Then... check my tranny fluid level, I guess. Tits mcgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaNu1142 Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/need-help-tranaxle-oil-seals-201537.html Thanks. If that's gotta be done... I'll have a shop do it. From what's above, is there any reason you can think of I wouldn't be able to drive on it? I mean... assuming the fluid stays where it belongs... Tits mcgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoozeRS05 Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I think I've read that you can pull the shaft out the whole way and you might lose about a cup of oil before it levels off at the input. I drove with mine leaking/weeping for 3k miles, being down on trans fluid isn't nearly as catastrophic as motor oil. EB's Subaru journal - 2005 LegacyGT Wagon & 2014 Forester FB25 (2008 specB - RIP) IG@legacygtliving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaNu1142 Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 After turning the front wheels forward & back a few times, I was able to pull the axle in & out of the tranny... normal operation. I tapped the hub a few times with a hammer, then bolted everything up & went for a short ride around the parking lot. I figure if the tranny is going to puke, it might as well be within eyesight of my garage. All seems OK, knock on wood. A little low for my taste. On to the rears, and then I'll level everything up. http://i.imgur.com/Hgsy5hn.jpg Tits mcgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angeltalin Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 you probably slightly pulled it out of thee tranny, I did this the other day installing mine and the strut got wedged in between the rotor and where it bolts up top, lost a little fluid but shoved the axle back in there and the leak stopped StageIII Cryotune-Kinugawa STS TD06H-20GTX 9 blade turbine, ID1000, DW65c, 73mm MegaMAF , GS EWG up-pipe, Downpipe and EBCS, FMS FMIC, TGV Delete, Brembo swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoozeRS05 Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 You will know if it continues to leak at the seal there, because it will stink pretty badly near the hot downpipe and gear oil has an unmistakable odor. Top off and monitor that seal for leaks, and you should be A-ok. Keep an eye on it much down the road though too, like I said those seals aren't the strongest and while it may not leak now with some time it might start up. EB's Subaru journal - 2005 LegacyGT Wagon & 2014 Forester FB25 (2008 specB - RIP) IG@legacygtliving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaNu1142 Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 Yup. After posting, I drank a glass of water, watched part of a chick flick, and went back down. I had pulled further into the garage... no spot below. I finished the rears & went for another short ride, and all seems well. The remedy for that binding problem, apparently, was just to rotate the axle a bit. It spit out some fluid, but is otherwise fine. Tits mcgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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