98obster Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 (edited) I can't remember. If I put in the fwd fuse, can I jack up the front end and idle the engine in drive to help diagnose a front end issue? thanks gurus. oh: 97 lego OB 4eat. sorry. Edited November 28, 2009 by 98obster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 I can't remember. If I put in the fwd fuse, can I jack up the front end and idle the engine in drive to help diagnose a front end issue? thanks gurus. oh: 97 lego OB 4eat. sorry. only of you do not have torque bind on the road with the fuse in. keep the hand brake on. you don't want the rear wheels to grab suddenly and try to drive away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98obster Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 only of you do not have torque bind on the road with the fuse in.keep the hand brake on. you don't want the rear wheels to grab suddenly and try to drive away. thanks. no tb. I will chauck (sp) the rears as my handbrake cable has stretch beyond braking ability and no adjustment left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 "a front end issue", maybe? i'm not picturing any issue that this would help diagnose. i would be very careful, like huge blocks to make sure it aint going anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98obster Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 "a front end issue", maybe? i'm not picturing any issue that this would help diagnose. i would be very careful, like huge blocks to make sure it aint going anywhere. well, I guess I could put all 4 corners on stands. my issue: took the car to the mechanic to see if I had a wheel bearing (driver front) since I was getting a whump whump sound with no steering wheel or pedal feedback. the mech noticed the DF axle was bouncing up and down steming from the doj-we agreed it was a bad axle and I just replaced it. I also had about a 3" lift which was probably to much for an already compromised axle. I was getting this sound before the lift but only on right curving roads. I've lowered the front end to a more reasonable height with '08 FXT assemblies but my test drive still had the same characteristics. also, the original axle didn't have the baffle at the doj end and the new one does so I'm getting an added sound of the baffle hitting the diff housing ? Haven't had much luck find info on problems with stub shafts and I've had good luck with EMPI axles so just wanted to get under there while things are moving. I'll be putting in new gear oil tomorrow since it looks like it could use it but level is okay. when I swapped axles I only felt the 1/8" in and out moving on the stub shaft but no up and down. Passenger side exhibits no signs of problems even when I had the lift in. Could the diff shafts be off center left to right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 diff shafts off center left to right? i can't imagine that being your issue. 3" lift still? i bet the aftermarket axles are your problems. i've had horrible luck with aftermarkets and good ones get noisy with the lifts i've put them under. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98obster Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 diff shafts off center left to right? i can't imagine that being your issue. 3" lift still? i bet the aftermarket axles are your problems. i've had horrible luck with aftermarkets and good ones get noisy with the lifts i've put them under. I lowered the front/rear end 2 inches with 08 FXT assemblies. I've never known an axle to bounce up and down at the doj on every rotation-the aftermarket axle was a nice tight fit (how would I know if the entire mating surface of the splines were taken up?). how could the DOJ NOT be static on the stub shaft without something deeper going on inside the diff? this could all be related to a bad wheel bearing but can't see how it would be translated to the doj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 ah gotcha, now i think i'm seeing it. the stub shafts on 4EAT's actually pull right out of the transmission, they're just held in place by a circlip and yank right out, and pop right back in. maybe it's not seated properly or something is up with the clip? i wouldn't expect differential issues since you haven't mentioned any noise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98obster Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 okay, imagine my surprise when I popped off the drain plug on the front differential and a gushing torrent of fcuking ATF came spewing out. guess all I can do is fill with gear oil and refresh in a week or so. Wow, definitely going back to the dealer to look up all the work that was done. I hope the front diff isn't borked-no metal came out-good news I guess. the aluminum foil I wrapped around the header hardly got touched but the ground sure did bottom line-you buy a new scooby. check or have everything checked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 okay, imagine my surprise when I popped off the drain plug on the front differential and a gushing torrent of fcuking ATF came spewing out. guess all I can do is fill with gear oil and refresh in a week or so. Wow, definitely going back to the dealer to look up all the work that was done. I hope the front diff isn't borked-no metal came out-good news I guess. the aluminum foil I wrapped around the header hardly got touched but the ground sure did bottom line-you buy a new scooby. check or have everything checked. if they put ATF in the diff, what did they put in the trans?????? hopefully something fluid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98obster Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 if they put ATF in the diff, what did they put in the trans?????? hopefully something fluid. 10 qts of 80-90? that would take like an hour to add :-\. Nope, the tranny fluid is the same color as the front diff (was) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98obster Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 Okay, I did a test run (to the dealer:mad:) to find out if any "consumables" were charged for my car before I bought it-just oil change:-\. Anyway, my symptoms might be decreasing a little since on the way home. I'm hoping the new gear oil just needs to be run in. I may drive a few more miles tomorrow and then do another flush to get the last bit of ATF outta there. what can be the irreversible consequences of ATF in the front Diff? I am searching as well but responses are appreciated. wish I knew who did this. checking the service records included with sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Make sure the trans isn't loosing ATF - there's a slight possibility in 4EAT's for ATF to be pushed into the diff I think, I've heard of it before I believe. In that case it wasn't added, but there's a bad seal in the trans. If it really was added wrong then there's no telling what, if any damage, occurred. ATF is a lubricant, not meant for differentials and horribly out of spec but at least it is an actual lubricant. I wouldn't be surprised either way. Good news is differentials almost always give you ample warning signs, like noise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98obster Posted November 29, 2009 Author Share Posted November 29, 2009 it was all ATF, absolutely no gear oil- a pretty dark garnet red I can't believe when the "subaru tech" checked levels of all fluids the red fluid on the dip stick didn't raise a red flag. at least I know my shaft seals are good if they were holding in ATF. I've probably put 200 easy miles on the car since April so hopefully no real damage. makes me wonder why the engine oil, AT tranny and the front diff are all yellow. so, is/was the axle shaking a classic sign of torque bind in the front diff? I just put in some Valvoline. would you recommend anything else (Scotty's?) to increase protection and "heal" my wounds? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 so, is/was the axle shaking a classic sign of torque bind in the front diff?no, not at all. that's not a TB sign. I just put in some Valvoline. would you recommend anything else (Scotty's?) to increase protection and "heal" my wounds?No, definitely not. Stick with straight gear oil like is supposed to be in there, go with some synthetic if you feel like it. My guess is 200 miles did no damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98obster Posted November 29, 2009 Author Share Posted November 29, 2009 no, not at all. that's not a TB sign. No, definitely not. Stick with straight gear oil like is supposed to be in there, go with some synthetic if you feel like it. My guess is 200 miles did no damage. thanks. I hope this clears up my driveline issues. I have this in case I want to press teh matter with the dealer; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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