INSTALLED NEW AXLE: LEAKING DIFF FLUID? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Bencauley8007 · 04-02-2019, 10:45 AM

Recently installed new driver side axle after inner cv joint went bad. Everything went well until the next day when I went to change the diff fluid and found a large amount leaking from the side with the new axle and was covering the diff. I currently have no way to figure out if it is from a bad axle seal, improper installation, or not a good axle period. Am in college so have to wait a few days before I am able to check the car again. Thought I would try and be proactive and post this in the meantime. Axle was from Trackmotiv, bought on Ebay. Hope the pictures can help. Thanks.

maslin · 04-02-2019, 11:04 AM

Clipped the seal on the way in? That or the ebay axle is junk.

ka-t_240 · 04-02-2019, 11:11 AM

likely you damaged the seal in the process of replacing the axle. You'll have to pull the car apart to find out which is bad. I would imagine if the axle was damaged enough to cause a leak you would have noticed it prior to install.

Tcoat · 04-02-2019, 11:23 AM

Geeeeez dude raise that car an inch. Based on the rust marks you have already clipped the diff a few times and the body structure is dam near worn through (looks like it may even be punctured at the top of the pic). You are flirting with serious damage if you crack that diff housing open or cause much more structural wear. I am lowered almost 2 inches and although I have a few scraps underneath it is no place near as bad as that.
Not to mention that you will just keep destroying axles.

Nasty!

Bencauley8007 · 04-02-2019, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ka-t_240

likely you damaged the seal in the process of replacing the axle. You'll have to pull the car apart to find out which is bad. I would imagine if the axle was damaged enough to cause a leak you would have noticed it prior to install.

Really hope its just the seal, looking back I probably should have gone for an OEM axle. The axle looked perfectly fine before install, but I'm worried it may not have been built to spec or has some random flaw, which could explain it leaking as well

ka-t_240 · 04-02-2019, 04:57 PM

Is it a used axle, a reman, or a new aftermarket axle?

Could take it out and mic it compared to your other if you are that worried about it.

Mr.ac · 04-02-2019, 06:43 PM

Shit happens. You just need a new seal. A true pain in the ass for a $3 seal.

Bencauley8007 · 04-02-2019, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Shit happens. You just need a new seal. A true pain in the ass for a $3 seal.

Well said. $47 dollars later a new seal is on the way.

Mr.ac · 04-02-2019, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bencauley8007

Well said. $47 dollars later a new seal is on the way.

Oh shit that much?

maslin · 04-02-2019, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bencauley8007

Well said. $47 dollars later a new seal is on the way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Oh shit that much?

$17.40 full price from Subaru. Getting 3 in case you pinch it again?

https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_20...031143009.html

chipmunk · 04-03-2019, 05:57 AM

*Generally* speaking, Toyota OEM parts run slightly cheaper than Subaru OEM, for future reference.

Bencauley8007 · 04-03-2019, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maslin

$17.40 full price from Subaru. Getting 3 in case you pinch it again?

https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_20...031143009.html

Was $17 but 2 day shipping was almost 30 dollars on FR Sport. Ended up canceling the order this morning after they sent in email saying they were backlogged 2-3 days. No dealerships in my state have one either so that wasn't an option either.

jaygushi · 12-07-2023, 11:06 PM

Were you ever able to fix this issue? I'm also in the same boat.
Replaced both side axles, passenger side diff fluid leaking everywhere.
I think I may have damaged the seal while removing the passenger side axle.

I also did notice an elastic metal spring ring came out when removing the old axle. Didn't know that was part of the seal at that time, but right now I'm on the hunt for a diff axle shaft seal ASAP.

Local Toyota/Subaru doesn't carry them in stock and only for special order. Going to try calling NAPA locations tomorrow or find other ways..

blsfrs · 12-08-2023, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaygushi

Were you ever able to fix this issue? I'm also in the same boat.
Replaced both side axles, passenger side diff fluid leaking everywhere.
I think I may have damaged the seal while removing the passenger side axle.

I also did notice an elastic metal spring ring came out when removing the old axle. Didn't know that was part of the seal at that time, but right now I'm on the hunt for a diff axle shaft seal ASAP.

Local Toyota/Subaru doesn't carry them in stock and only for special order. Going to try calling NAPA locations tomorrow or find other ways..

It took me a few tries to get it started but then I tapped it in.

04-02-2019, 10:45 AM	#1
Bencauley8007 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Drives: 2013 ultramarine blue fr-s Location: Dallas Tx Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	INSTALLED NEW AXLE: LEAKING DIFF FLUID? Recently installed new driver side axle after inner cv joint went bad. Everything went well until the next day when I went to change the diff fluid and found a large amount leaking from the side with the new axle and was covering the diff. I currently have no way to figure out if it is from a bad axle seal, improper installation, or not a good axle period. Am in college so have to wait a few days before I am able to check the car again. Thought I would try and be proactive and post this in the meantime. Axle was from Trackmotiv, bought on Ebay. Hope the pictures can help. Thanks. Attached Images

04-02-2019, 11:23 AM	#4
Tcoat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2020 Hakone Location: London, Ont Posts: 69,845 Thanks: 61,656 Thanked 108,283 Times in 46,456 Posts Mentioned: 2495 Post(s) Tagged: 50 Thread(s)	Geeeeez dude raise that car an inch. Based on the rust marks you have already clipped the diff a few times and the body structure is dam near worn through (looks like it may even be punctured at the top of the pic). You are flirting with serious damage if you crack that diff housing open or cause much more structural wear. I am lowered almost 2 inches and although I have a few scraps underneath it is no place near as bad as that. Not to mention that you will just keep destroying axles. Nasty! __________________ Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.

04-02-2019, 06:43 PM	#7
Mr.ac [insert cool phrase here] Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: BRZ Premium Location: Central Coast CA Posts: 2,369 Thanks: 709 Thanked 1,558 Times in 930 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Shit happens. You just need a new seal. A true pain in the ass for a $3 seal. __________________ New daily driver - Subaru BRZ Premium Weekend fun/track car - '91 MR2 Turbo Gen3 Old daily driver - '88 MR2 Supercharged

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04-02-2019, 11:04 AM	#2
maslin Benz Tech Join Date: Dec 2018 Drives: 2017 BRZ Premium Location: Oregon Posts: 580 Thanks: 363 Thanked 562 Times in 308 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Clipped the seal on the way in? That or the ebay axle is junk.

04-02-2019, 11:11 AM	#3
ka-t_240 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Drives: BRZ Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 968 Thanks: 124 Thanked 327 Times in 236 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	likely you damaged the seal in the process of replacing the axle. You'll have to pull the car apart to find out which is bad. I would imagine if the axle was damaged enough to cause a leak you would have noticed it prior to install.

04-02-2019, 04:57 PM	#6
ka-t_240 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Drives: BRZ Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 968 Thanks: 124 Thanked 327 Times in 236 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Is it a used axle, a reman, or a new aftermarket axle? Could take it out and mic it compared to your other if you are that worried about it.

04-03-2019, 05:57 AM	#11
chipmunk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Drives: _ Location: _ Posts: 440 Thanks: 50 Thanked 178 Times in 104 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Generally speaking, Toyota OEM parts run slightly cheaper than Subaru OEM, for future reference.

12-07-2023, 11:06 PM	#13
jaygushi Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Drives: 2015 Scion FR-S Release series 1.0 Location: SoCal Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Were you ever able to fix this issue? I'm also in the same boat. Replaced both side axles, passenger side diff fluid leaking everywhere. I think I may have damaged the seal while removing the passenger side axle. I also did notice an elastic metal spring ring came out when removing the old axle. Didn't know that was part of the seal at that time, but right now I'm on the hunt for a diff axle shaft seal ASAP. Local Toyota/Subaru doesn't carry them in stock and only for special order. Going to try calling NAPA locations tomorrow or find other ways..

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