Stranded, possible front prop shaft seal

After quick advice.

 

Driving from Maine to Colorado, made it to PA and when I pulled up for gas I could smell burning oil. Took a look under the car and it appears it is coming from the prop shaft where it joins the transmission.

 

Its definitely trans oil, I managed to limp to a closeby dealership and they are taking a look IF they have time, its Saturday, so i'm probably screwed either way.

 

Question is, how big of a job is the seal to replace? Is it a part dealers normally carry?

shouldn't be more than 1.5 hr book time. common seal it is likely stocked

Well, turns out I'm totally fucked.

 

Tech said that there is oil pouring out of the casing bolts, and it has metal shavings in. The bolts he says are not loose, he also mentioned that the trans mounts were shot.

 

Now I have to figure how to get back to maine

Sorry to hear that man. Good luck getting home, if you were in CO I'd definitely try to help you out.

Yea that's quite a trip to take.. I hope you were driving out there to stay!

What part of PA are you in?

That is a nightmare. Get home safe.

What part of PA are you in?

 

Wilks Barre. I have a feeling the tech didn't want to start a job @3pm on a Saturday, which has me wondering exactly what's going on with my trans.

 

Which asks the question, Why would oil pour out of the bolts? has anyone seen this? I don't have any experience with the trans on these cars, is the center diff where the output shaft plugs in, then it connects to the trans? Is there a place where this can seperate?

 

I'm doing my best to look at what needs to be done, do you guys think my trans AND center diff are toast, or just the diff? There is (apparently) metal in the oil, but the trans acts normal, and is drivable. There is some whine which is apparent in most gears and has been since ownership.

That is a nightmare. Get home safe.

 

Whats worse is, I have a 4k mountain bike and most of my worldly possessions with me.

 

At this point, I plan on heading east as far as AAA will tow me, then having my old boss drive down from Maine with a trailer sometime tomorrow.

Soo, you're headed back to Maine? Or to Colorado? I'm confused. . .

 

First things first. . at your earliest opportunity, get your head under the car and see what he's talking about. Take pics if possible.

 

Regardless, if your trans is borked, seems like your options are as follows:

 

-try to scrounge up a trans where you are and pay what they ask to repair/replace it. Kind of a crapshoot there but my experience is out of town repairs done in desperation are always more expensive and often of lesser quality than at home.

 

-do as you're planning to do and AAA/trailer it (hope your old boss likes you), then fix it at home.

 

-hop a bus that's bike friendly and get where you're going. Have the car shipped to you via commercial carrier. It'll probably cost about $1/mi one way.

Soo, you're headed back to Maine? Or to Colorado? I'm confused. . .

 

First things first. . at your earliest opportunity, get your head under the car and see what he's talking about. Take pics if possible.

 

Regardless, if your trans is borked, seems like your options are as follows:

 

-try to scrounge up a trans where you are and pay what they ask to repair/replace it. Kind of a crapshoot there but my experience is out of town repairs done in desperation are always more expensive and often of lesser quality than at home.

 

-do as you're planning to do and AAA/trailer it (hope your old boss likes you), then fix it at home.

 

-hop a bus that's bike friendly and get where you're going. Have the car shipped to you via commercial carrier. It'll probably cost about $1/mi one way.

 

I was heading to CO, but not now.

 

Appreciate the advice.

 

So you definately think I am in line for a new trans? No center diff to replace?

Google search Pmp auto parts. They are somewhat local and probably the best option on finding a trans. There are also some dependable Subaru mechanics in the area, Flat four specialties comes to mind. They are in Mertztown and Rich is a top notch guy. I do realise that is a bit south of you but you might be better of going to someone that knows our cars.

From where I'm sitting I have no idea if you need a center diff or not. . just going off the 3rd hand description. I'm also making the assumption you have a 5MT and we're not talking about a planetary diff on a 5EAT with VTD.

 

The center diff can be replaced with the trans in the car. Bit of a chore but it's still better than pulling the trans.

 

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f89/diy-subaru-center-differential-replacement-phase-2-5-speeds-175153/

 

You won't like the price of a new one, however.

 

http://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_2005_Legacy25L-TURBO-5MT-4WDGT-Limited-Wagon/CENTER-DIFFERENTIAL-ASSEMBLY/49248160/38913AA102.html

 

Here's a used trans not far from where you're at. . . coincidentally it's also in a GT wagon.

 

http://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?userSearch=int&userPID=1000&userLocation=All+States&userIMS=&userInterchange=C%3EE%3FC&userSide=&userDate=2005&userDate2=2005&dbModel=70.6.1.1&userModel=Subaru%20Legacy&dbPart=400.1&userPart=Transmission&sessionID=200000000000000000861588728&userPreference=zip&userZip=18706&userLat=41.1921&userLong=-75.9213&userIntSelect=952320&userUID=0&userBroker=&userPage=1&iKey=

 

2005

Transmission

Subaru Legacy M.T., exc. Outback; turbo,

30 DAY WARRANTY 123,000 miles

$775

Wahl to Wahl Auto USA-NY(Cooperstown)

607-286-7322

Interesting, I guess I could stick around and get it fixed. What is the shop hours for installing a trans?

Google search Pmp auto parts. They are somewhat local and probably the best option on finding a trans. There are also some dependable Subaru mechanics in the area, Flat four specialties comes to mind. They are in Mertztown and Rich is a top notch guy. I do realise that is a bit south of you but you might be better of going to someone that knows our cars.

 

Appreciate the recommendation

A good price at an independent shop would be about $3-400. . .cash talks kinda deal.

 

Dealership or subaru specialist? Probably upwards of $6-700.

 

I should point out that having the trans out is a perfect time to do the clutch, but that'll add another $300-$????? depending on if you just do the bare minimum or go nuts and do away with the dual mass flywheel and upgrade to a beefier clutch.

A good price at an independent shop would be about $3-400. . .cash talks kinda deal.

 

Dealership or subaru specialist? Probably upwards of $6-700.

 

I should point out that having the trans out is a perfect time to do the clutch, but that'll add another $300-$????? depending on if you just do the bare minimum or go nuts and do away with the dual mass flywheel and upgrade to a beefier clutch.

 

The clutch and smfw only has 2k on it, along with a new block, turbo, tires, suspension.

 

Looks like getting fixed here might be a better option, the Sams lager in the hotel bar has me optimistic, as well as solid advice from you guys.

 

I have a buddy in Carlisle I could always crash with for a couple of nights

Big thanks to everyone on the forum that gave me advice, managed to navigate though that problem with some time and money, and made it to my destination.

 

On a recommendation, I took the car to Flat Four Specialties in Mertztown, PA. I can't say enough good things about Rich and his crew. Despite being snowed in with work, they managed to get me back on the road by Wednesday.

 

It turns out the retaining ring from my center diff popped out, as that was hanging on the output shaft it was turning, causing it to become a circular saw! It proceeded to cut through the diff casing and into one of the bolts.

 

No doubt I could have had a machine shop repair the damage on the casing, but I just didn't have time, so rich sourced a used trans and did the install.

 

Thanks again to those involved.