Rear axle splines worn.. do I need a new differential? help!

[d1giPhux]

99 LGT 2.5 M/T

Looks like the splines on my rear left axle (drivers side) are eaten up. While this doesn't seem like TOO big of a deal, I think that it indicates there must be other problems. I don't know too much about this however. Replacing the axle itself is relatively cheap, but the subaru shop said rear axles should NOT go bad.

Why would this have happened?

Not really sure what may have started all of this. I am running a lightweight flywheel / crank pulley.. but I'm not too sure that has ANYTHING to do with this. Maybe its just worn out..

Also, what is the worst case scenario? If I replace the axle, what else could be broken that would cause the splines to wear out? The center differential, or rear differential?

Anyways.. just looking for some info as to what may be the problem, and what all may need to be replaced. Not sure why this happened, but I'm guessing its because something with the differential is screwed up. Going to have to get this fixed asap, and need to figure out what I might need to get. :smt013

One more question.. how can i disable the rear axle and make the car just FWD to minimize any damage until I can get this fixed?


Thank you.

[d1giPhux]

Anyone have any info / insight about this?

[d1giPhux]

bump!

[Hocrest]

Which end are the splines damaged? Inner or outer?

[d1giPhux]

Well.. I didn't get a look at it myself, but the shop told me the splines on the axle itself are worn. Not sure exactly how these would get worn, and I'm assuming there is more damage then just the axle itself. Hopefully this will help you a bit so that you may give me some more info about this. Thanks!

[bulldozer24]

how does the shop know that they are worn? did they take them out? and why would they in the first place? you can put a fuse in the fwd slot in the engine bay on the passenger side to make it fwd.

[d1giPhux]

Can you do the FWD trick on a 5 M/T transmission? I thought that was only for the Auto Transmission Legacies?

I brought the car to the shop to check on the rear axles.. because I heard noise coming from the left side when turning right at a moderate speed.

They didn't pull the axle out, but ran the car up on the lift and said all 4 wheels were turning except for the left rear drivers side. They looked into it further and said the splines were worn.

Now.. if the splines ARE in fact worn.. anyone know why they would be? If something were to go bad with the center differential.. what all would need to be replaced? I was told by the shop that rear axles SHOULD NOT go bad, and if they do.. it usually indicates a further problem.

Thats why I'm looking into this as of now. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Hocrest]

No, you can not "put" a manual into FWD.

Unless you have a LSD rear diff, it is possible for one back wheel to spin. Especially if there is any resistance on the left wheel. Bad brakes or bearings could cause a noise and create enough resistance to keep a wheel from spinning.

If they didn't pull an axle out, I don't see how they can say that the splines are worn?

[bulldozer24]

I didnt realize your car was a manual so no you cant make it fwd.

You may want to inspect the diff by draining it and looking for any metal chunks or removing the axle which really is not that hard to do, and see how it looks. But i highly doubt the splines are worn down.

[d1giPhux]

Weird. what what would it mean IF the splines were work?

What else would cause the rear left axle from turning while all the other 3 do?

Also, would this be the center differential, or the rear differential?

Hocrest: they tested it by putting the car in the air and driving it. All wheels except the drivers rear spun. Not sure what this means.. what else should I check? At first I thought it sounded like a bearing, but it would hum when turning right at a moderate speed.


Thanks.

[bulldozer24]

I would check the brakes on that side and make sure they are not seized up and if there not, like i said before, check the rear diff for damage and if your up to it take the axle out and inspect it for any damage.

I doubt the problem is with the center diff, just check these things and tell us whats going on, there is no point in throwing parts at your car to try and fix it if your not sure what the problem is.

[NGTD]

If you jack up my Outback and run it with all 4 wheels off the ground two turn and the other 2 barely move. Open diffs will only turn the wheels with the least resistance. You likely have some sort of resistance on the wheel that isn't turning.

[d1giPhux]

Weird.. alright. So what could cause resistance? Stuck brake rotor? Anything else?

I'm pretty sure its going to be the axle, because it DOES make a humming noise when turning right at a moderate speed. Which to me would indicate the left rear axle is no good. Since I don't really have a lift, this is going to have to go the shop I guess. However, just trying to gather info about it.

Also, is the rear axle connected to center diff, or to the rear differential. :oops:

[bulldozer24]

You dont really need a lift to check any of these things, a garage or driveway, a jack and some jack stands is all you need.

the rear axles are connected to the rear diff.

[d1giPhux]

Thanks for the help. The more I've read.. the more I question what they exactly told me. They said only 3 out of the 4 wheels were spinning.

But I just read somewhere that AWD 50/50 split for manual transmissions will only spin 1 wheel per front / back. Is this true? Or are all 4 wheels supposed to be spinning?

Its still possible that my rear axle is bad however, it did seem to be going bad for a while. I got a humming at around 15+ mph while taking right hand turns.

Like you guys said.. not sure how they would have seen the splines being worn. Not sure why they would have said this.

[bulldozer24]

Sounds to me like they were trying to take you for a ride. but if you feel like you need to replace the axle go for it, i had to replace one of my front axles 2 weeks ago, I got a refurb for 48 bucks, which is dirt cheap.

As for the wheel spinning i have no idea maybe someone else will chime in that has a 5mt

[StatGSR]

i wouldn't be shocked if you wheel bearing was going out....

[d1giPhux]

Initially I thought it may have been a bearing too, however, I've had bearing go bad before and usually they scream and or make scraping noises ALL the time. This would only make noise when turning to the right and at a moderate speed.. which led me to believe it was the rear axle.

Any other things I could do to try and diagnose this?

Has anyone heard of rear axles going on a manual transmission subaru?

Also.. about the wheel spinning. When off the ground on a lift, how many, and which wheels should be spinning on an AWD car with 5 M/T?

Thank you!

[Hocrest]

At least one front and one back. Sometimes 3, sometimes 4.

[d1giPhux]

Yeah.. actually just spoke to the subaru stealership, and they told me that if its 'asymmetrical AWD' then all 4 wheels should be spinning. Damn, that sucks. So that means there IS some issue.

Not sure why the rear axle would wear out, and why it would stop spinning. Hmm. Not good. :smt013

[chuckthefuk]

5MT use OPEN differentials.. Power is always sent to the wheel with the least amount of resistance.

If you have 1 tire off the ground (on a snow bank / extreme turn / crazy air) All the power will go to that one wheel.

If the splines are toast then no wheels should spin! This is specifically for the front.. (cant confirm rear)

Example:.. I had a worn CV shaft.. and one morning the initial torque load from 1st gear tore the splines right off my passenger side axle.. The car came to a stop yet no matter what gear the car was in with the clutch out the car would not stall :-p

-Chuck

[d1giPhux]

So did you mangle anything when you tore the splines on your axle. Yeah, right now all 3 of my wheels except rear left drivers side are turning. Like i said.. they told me the splines were toast. i'm hoping that the splines on the axle are weaker metal then what turns them on the inside.. otherwise I'm gonna be in for a big surpri$e.

[chuckthefuk]

Nahh just worn out axle.. Simple re-&-re with a cheap reman'ed axle solved my problem..

Theoriticly... The fronts are not the issue since your 50/50 split is working.. A rear wheel is spinning so the center diff is clearly working since the prop shaft is spinning.

Now the diff is an open unit and is a pretty simple direct gear driven diff (ring and pinion) .. no clutch packs.. just gear on gear...

So if the axle splines are toast the prop shaft will spin the diff and the diff gear will spin the splin that is still good.. The bad axle will have no contact to the diff and just sit there..

Now to say this is true I am not 100% sure.. I havn't researched nor asked my mechanics but it seems simple enough :-?

Chuck

[Hocrest]

There have been 22 replies to a statement that was made by a garage that according to you didn't even pull the axle.

A number of replies have told you that not all 4 wheels will spin when the car is in the air.

A few replies have mentioned that the humming is probably a bad bearing.

Who did you speak with at the dealership? I've seen sales people that would struggle with anything automotive beyond pumping gas. And service writers that aren't much better.

You can keep second guessing everyone's opinion or you can tear into it or you can take it to another shop for a second opinion. If you take it to another shop DO NOT tell them what the first shop told you. Just take it in with the noise complaint.

[d1giPhux]

Yeah, its gonna go to the shop for a second look. I'm pretty sure its the rear axle.. nearly 90% sure. We'll see. I was just asking for opinions on what ELSE could possibly be wrong if in fact the axle splines ARE worn out. I'll report back on the progress.

[d1giPhux]

Okay, so looks like I do NOT need to have the center differential replaced. Not sure how stupid the other subaru place i went to was.. but its a bearing. Great.. thats good news for me. I guess.

But, they did find I need a 'shift shaft seal' which requires removal of the transfer case.

Does anyone know what else should be replaced if they are going to open the transfer case anyways? I know this is where the center differential is located, but just wondering if there are any other bearings that should / could be replaced while they are in there.

Thank you.

[02_Legacy]

this thread makes me want to :facepalm:

Anyways Subarus don't have transfer cases they have a center diff but it is part of the transmission. A transfer case is a separate unit. and a "shift shaft seal" WTH is that maybe someone can enlighten me on this but I think that is BS.

Have them fix the bearing and tell them to leave the rest alone or show you exactly what is wrong/ where it is leaking. If it is a seal it is just going to mean leaking fluid so if you don't have any puddles or drips under your car no need to worry about it.

[d1giPhux]

Sorry, yes I know they dont have 'transfer cases'.. so please, enlighten me as to WTF this part of the trans is called that you can remove? Because as far as I've ever heard.. everyone calls it the freakin transfer case! :smt013 :

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

Also, the shift shaft seal is the seal where the shifter enters the trans. As far as I know. Its a common problem on subarus actually.. and mine does leak. But they have to take the 'transfer case' off first to get to it.. hence why I was asking what ELSE i should have them do while they are in there.

I'm not a total noob man, I'm not as dumb as I look. I've been around here a while.. a lot longer than most people who have posted in this thread I bet.

Thanks!

[02_Legacy]

OK sorry you were right I was wrong, I'll shut up now.

[chuckthefuk]

F That!

Your car is 1999.. sharing the same transcodes from 2000+

This is just the start of your problems :-?

Go a different route.. lots of options if you weight the costs..

How much are you quoted for the seal repair?

-Chuck

[d1giPhux]

Well.. you don't need to shut up, but share what you know! I'm just trying to say what I know.. as I'm still in search of info! Didn't mean to be a jerk off.. just trying to find some info that I can use.

This part covers a couple of the pieces, but I DONT need the center diff as far as I know. Was wondering if there were some other cheap bearings or other stuff I could replace however that would benefit the longevity of the car


Chuckthefuk: The seal repair was like $380 or something. Surprisingly enough the rear bearing was more then that. Which is a bit high. I think I may just have that done elsewhere. I was considering having this fixed because it does leak oil, and its not too complex it seems. You can just unbolt the 'transfer case' from the tranny it looks like. May be a benefit to have the trans checked out at the same time as well. This is why I was looking into what would be GOOD to fix at the same time. Not sure what to do really. What else ARE my options? Also, how can you tell its the same trans as 2000+ .. thats odd.

[chuckthefuk]

MY99' was the overlap year.. As new generations are introduce the last run of that current generation is the test mule for new parts..

TY752VA vs TY752VC



MY95-96 TY752VABAA
Outback MY95-96 TY752VABBA
GT MY97 TY752VACBA
Outback MY97 TY752VACCA
MY97-98 TY752VACAA
GT MY98 TY752V2DAA
Outback MY98 TY752V2DCA
MY99 TY754VAAAA
GT MY99 TY754VCAAB
Outback MY99 TY754VCACB
L & Brighton MY00 TY754VCAAA
Outback MY00 TY754VCACA
GT MY00 TY754VCADA
L & Brighton MY01 TY754VCBAA
GT MY01-02 TY754VCBDA
Outback MY01-02 TY754VCBCA
L MY03-04 TY754VCDAA
GT MY03-04 TY754VCDDA
Outback & Baja MY03-04 TY754VCDCA


I have had very bad experience with TY752VC ....

PM for 5MT info..

-Chuck

[d1giPhux]

Hit you up via pm. Hmm, this is sounding a bit ugly.

All i really need IS the shift shaft seal.. however, was thinking while they are in there, might as well put in some new pieces if they are needed. Guess i'll be finding more info out about that shortly! LOL.

So far on this trans I've had clutch / flywheel / TOB / Sleeve kit installed in the past. Not sure if the pilot bearing has ever been replaced or not. Initially I thought I heard some squealing coming from the new TOB, and got another one to put in at some point in time. It stopped squealing. However, now on deceleration seems to make a bit of noise. It hasn't bothered me however, and the car drives fine.

Anyways.. this is all just ideas on how I can keep my car running for the future. Might as well get stuff done while they are in there if I'm already gonna pay $$$ for disassembly.

[d1giPhux]

hey chuck.. wanna send me that info you were talkin about?