Axle Seal on the transmission side

[coloskydiver]

I have a quick question and was wonder if someone could chime in with some information. I finally got temp tags on my car and have been trying to pile on the mile on the car since I only have a 10 day tag to get the car inspected. I have put about 400 miles on the car and transmission leak coming out of the passenger side axle seal. The transmission was rebuilt by a reputable shop and they installed a LGT gear set and LSD, plus the axles were assembled by a CV shop. Is this something I should take back to the shop the rebuilt the trans? I know on some transmission that if you over fill it, it is designed to leak out a bit at the axle and didn't know if the Subaru trans are the same. It only leaks after I drive it for a while and was thinking that the fluid was expanding and being pushed out. That may be some wishful thinking but wondering if anyone had any feedback for me. The trans didn't leak at all until I stated to go on longer drives (80-100 miles) and I have had fluid in it for months and never leaked while go carting but those were much shorter drives (2-3 miles).

[Hindsight]

I can't imagine it would leak out the seals if overfull, based on the seal design and the fact that the oil will slosh to the side when cornering under normal circumstances. I'd take it back to the shop. The seals are easily damaged when installing or removing the driveshafts. Subaru makes a special tool that acts as a seal protector/guard that you are supposed to use when pulling/installing the axles for this reason.

[Mechie3]

You could replace it yourself, but the little sundial also sets the preload on the diff. The way I've done is is to mark the trans and the sundial with a marker, count how many turns to remove it, and when replacing it, count the turns and line up the marks.

[Hindsight]

Mechie, I don't think you need to remove that carrier when removing and installing the seal. I didn't anyway. Just tapped it in with a bearing driver and hammer. It can be removed with a seal puller ($8 at any auto parts store). If you use the puller, be careful the tip of it doesn't gouge the aluminum carrier as it's easy to do.

[C.Plavan]

Mechie, I don't think you need to remove that carrier when removing and installing the seal. I didn't anyway. Just tapped it in with a bearing driver and hammer. It can be removed with a seal puller ($8 at any auto parts store). If you use the puller, be careful the tip of it doesn't gouge the aluminum carrier as it's easy to do.

+1 (male stubs from TBD or LSD) Tap it flush, don't over tap it, then you will have to pull it out and probably need a new seal.

[Mechie3]

Right...forgot the male stubs are different. I have female trans and male axles so mine are different.

[Hindsight]

I have females..... 07 wrx

[coloskydiver]

Thanks for the info guys. The trans is an 02 with male axles. I will bring into the shop that rebuilt it to begin with.

Thanks,

[STiPWRD]

Good idea, the shop should cover this sort of thing. I also have an 02 trans that I rebuilt myself and replaced the axle seals. I haven't driven yet so don't know if it will leak but it seemed straight forward enough to install the new seals with the transmission split in half.

[tmoretta]

My 02 trans. seal leaked after the rebuild. I found that the retainer spring on the seal had dislodged.

[Hindsight]

You can help prevent that by packing the inside of the seal with grease before tapping it in.

[Sgt.Gator]

Be aware there is a left and a right to the axle seals and if you get them swapped they will leak.