Help please. Differential side oil seals

[AZPete]

Oil was leaking from both sides of my transaxle differential - where the axle shafts enter at both sides. I bought two side oil seals from the dealer for the front diff. I removed the axle shafts, replaced the oil seals, inserted the axle shafts carefully. But, both sides still leak! I hope someone here can give me some clues or tricks that will help when I do it all again. The old oil seals were bigger diameter than the new ones, but the new seals fit snuggly on the axle shafts and otherwise looked the same as the old ones. The FSM shows Special Tool ST28399SA010, oil seal protector and ST18675AA000, oil seal installer. Do I really need either of these tools?

Edit: Problem solved! See Post #16 . . .

[Ironhydroxide]

Did you make sure and have the correct sides on the correct side? The seals are directional and if you install them in the wrong side, oil will be forced out of the seal while the shaft turns, instead of into the transmission.

[AZPete]

I was surprised that there were left and right side seals, and thought I had them correct, but since both leak perhaps I put them in the wrong sides. That would explain why both are leaking but I've only rolled the car back and forth in the garage - no miles.

[DodgyTim]

As Ironhydroxide points out, the seals are specific to each side, and if you have changed the diff from early to later model (or the other way) the seals are different part numbers
50441
RHS seal suits female, LHS seal suits male output

[Hindsight]

I'm having the same issue: leaking through the diff seals. I installed new ones and did not know they were side-specific but it makes sense based on the little directional grooves in them. However, in my case, it's only leaking from one side. So either I guessed right and just damaged one of the seals somehow during axle installation, or I ordered two of the seals for the left side and installed them on both sides, causing the right one to leak.

I read in the FSM that there is a tool you are supposed to install to protect the driveshaft seals during axle R&R. It just prevents the axle from falling and whacking the seal. Anyone actually use this or just be careful?

[flynntuna]

Just to be sure, right side is the driver side and left side is the passenger side right?

[AZPete]

Flynn, you are correct if in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Great Britain, etc. . . . . but not San Diego. :rolleyes:

[Pearldrummer7]

I've successfully installed them with a socket (32mm maybe), but I've also botched one once. They're not horrible to install, just mark the sundial thing that holds them in and count the number of turns. I just got a nice tool from Sgt Gator to install them that I'm excited to try and will report back on (for cheap!!)

[FFRSpec72]

I've successfully installed them with a socket (32mm maybe), but I've also botched one once. They're not horrible to install, just mark the sundial thing that holds them in and count the number of turns. I just got a nice tool from Sgt Gator to install them that I'm excited to try and will report back on (for cheap!!)

Just run w/o them

[flynntuna]

Flynn, you are correct if in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Great Britain, etc. . . . . but not San Diego. :rolleyes:

Ha ha ha ,yea I know it sounded funny but, some say the right is from the perspective from facing the car from the front and some say from sitting in the car.:p

[Hindsight]

Right vs left is always when sitting in the vehicle facing forward. That's how the auto manufacturers refer to it. I'm sure there is an ISO standard stating it somewhere.

[Sgt.Gator]

I've made my own much cheaper versions of the two Subaru ST tools shown in the FSM. Well, you don't necessarily have to use them, but it makes the job easier and less likely you will tear the seal either while installing it in the tranny or when you put the axle shaft thru the seal. PM me if you want to know more and see this post for the other things the oil seal installer does besides just the side axle seals.
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?19971-Cam-seals-crank-seals-and-timing-belt&p=225333&viewfull=1#post225333

[Pearldrummer7]

+1 on Gator's seal tool. Very good quality and fits like a glove.

[STiPWRD]

If the seals are directional then what happens when you go in reverse?

[ssssly]

If the seals are directional then what happens when you go in reverse?

Things come at you from behind.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[AZPete]

Leaking transaxle side seals solved! Thanks to Ironhydroxide, Sgt. Gator, and others, I replaced both side seals and now have no leaks!. When I replaced the seals the first time the Subaru dealer marked "R" and "L" on my invoice, but he marked them wrong so I installed them wrong. Here's the correct placement of the seals:
#806735290 Left (driver) side
#806735300 Right (passenger) side
The seals have a very, very small arrow on the outside rim, inside the flex lip, that points the direction of the axle.
If you are going to replace the seals, be sure to use the Seal Installer and Protector from Colonel Red Racing. These two inexpensive plastic tools are a perfect fit and help a lot to get the seals installed so there are no more leaks. See the Post above from Sgt. Gator. To get his tools send a PM to Sgt.Gator.

[Sgt.Gator]

Thanks AZpete, I'm glad they worked for you!

[Hindsight]

Glad you got it fixed. I used Gator's install tools and they worked well for me too.

I fixed my leak as well. It was only leaking on the right side for me. I bought aftermarket seals and they didn't have the extra lip that faces outward. I think that contributed to my leak. I went with an OEM seal this time and it isn't leaking now.