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.

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

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.

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!
https://www.ft86club.com/forums/atta...1&d=1554216053

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Gotcha, thanks I was able to source the seal at a toyota dealership and installed the new one in. All is good now (fingers crossed)

I damaged one axle seal when removing the axles to replace the diff side CV boots. I was in a hurry (realized the seal was bad on Sunday, had a track day on Thursday) and local dealers didn't have the seals in stock. Ordered the Timken 710142 from Amazon with 2 day shipping and installed it Tuesday.

After some 350 highway miles and 3 track sessions the seal was very slowly weeping some diff fluid. Not enough to run down the diff but enough to wet the area around the axle.

Ordered a couple of OEM seals (same part number for Subaru and Toyota (it's a Toyota part) - 9031143009) from a local dealer and they arrived the next day (had I knew they'll come so quickly I wouldn't have bothered with the Timken). Swapped one in instead of the Timken and so far looks good. I have another track day coming up and I'll report back if the OEM seal performs better.

Although the Timken does fit fine and obviously works okay, it's pretty different than OEM. The OEM has a rubber coating on the outer ring while the Timken is bare metal. The seal is press-fit into the diff housing, and I can see the metal Timken not sealing perfectly to the housing (even if the seal around the axle is good).

Timken on left, damaged OEM seal middle, new OEM seal right.

Just for giggles, can you measure the ID of both seals. I haven't had any issues with the Timkin in my car.

Kinda hard to measure with the soft rubber, but it looks like the OEM one is a little bigger than then Timken (setting the calipers to 41mm is snug on the Timken, but there's a bit of wiggle room on the OEM). Outside diameter is 70mm on the Timken, and a little more on the OEM, but it can squish to less than 70mm. I suspect that the OEM's metal part is under 70mm, and the rubber creates the seal, while the Timken relies only on the metal press-fit (which is the one I suspect that leaked (seal to diff housing) rather than the axle side (seal to axle)).

It might be that the Timken is more sensitive to correct installation (perfectly flush and even, perfectly clean) while the OEM with its rubber coating can still fully seal if it's not perfect. I used the old seal to hammer the new seal in place, trying to get it to be flush all around (manual says between -0.5mm and 0.5mm is acceptable).

Seeing as the OEM seal can easily be had for less than the Timken, it's only a matter of availability to prefer it, IMO.