Autopsy of a Subaru front differential run without oil

It's easy to forget about maintaining your front differential, but this video inspecting a Subaru front differential run without oil will show you why you need to do it. The transmission here was recently dropped out of our 1998 Subaru Forester, aka Project Off-road Granny. We also compare it to a phase II 4EAT diff and housing we have lying around in case anyone is curious.
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[@1483Frenchman]

Thanks for the stickers and subie badge boys! And thanks for the back and forth on your diff lock, you guys rule!

[@powerofyourbrains]

No problem! Happy to help

[@crazyDIYguy]

My front limited slip still works on my 08 2.5 outback base with 230k. Im not sure about the rear... But when I put the front wheel drive fuse in both front spin with no delay. 💯👌

[@RebekahTOUCHEDBYYARN]

I am new to your Channel and I have a 2002 Subaru Legacy station wagon that I just found out where the dipstick is for my differential

[@BamCCB93]

Thanks

[@torreVs]

To mitigate consequences of mis maintenance, increased security margin of use; it's desirable to use anti friction additives validated in accredited and certified labs or others used in several industries. That oil 6:52 seems completely burnt or previously contaminated, low level and extended period time without draining ---> *additives package exhausted for hypoid gears* Luckly, you have huge mechanical skills to fix it!

[@powerofyourbrains]

The fluid you see was actually added on during the trip, in an attempt to be able to limp it home. The diff was actually mostly dry with some gooey burnt oil. If I had to guess I would say that the previous owner never changed it, because we know that maintenance was not something they really cared for. This was our fault for not checking.

[@shaymus1968]

I know this is an old video but, May I ask how you got the pinion out? I haven't took the car apart yet. I've had a spare trans in my storage for a few years. My car broke on the way to work yesterday. I stopped hastily and grabbed the transfer case but noticed I didn't get the pinion.

[@chaplainfred]

Thank you very much for the video. I have been looking for a video regarding front differential noise. My 09 Outback 4 speed automatics front differential is making loud noise when decelerating at a high speed and sometimes when driving about less than a mile with winning noise. I have been looking for a replacement front diff but I have not found one yet. I guess its sold with transmission which makes it harder to find the right one. Hope I can get some feedback on how to find one for my 09 Outback. Thanks again for the video

[@Jmcconn110]

This is why I sub your channel, fascinating! (the offroading is fun too) Thanks for the swag guys! Not sure where to put the STI sticker on my N/A Forester though... I'd guess the pinion bearing failed first as it takes the bulk of the load from the engine when its transferring power to the ring gear. Looking forward to the next video! Hopefully you show us how to set the bearing preload?

[@powerofyourbrains]

Thanks man, glad it got to ya. Because it's driven from the rear and under tight tolerances, there's really no telling. Bottom line is that differentials need oil, but I'm honestly impressed it put up with our abuse, only failing during sustained highway. Quite a sturdy unit.

[@TylerScranton]

Any Forester is an STI if you believe.

[@sofiaagopian]

I own a 2017 Subaru Forester XT. I am currently dealing with a damaged transmission that a shop is claiming the front differential, which had no fluid in it, caused the transmission to fail. Is that possible in a CVT transmission?

[@yoshaki]

Thanks for the stickers!

[@Modeltnick]

Great job! Some idiot mechanic did a differential service on my 2007 Forester and did not refill the front differential. Not knowing it, I set out on a 1500 mile trip north. I developed a high pitched noise about 800 miles out. I checked the oil level and it was bone dry. I filled it with new fluid and completed my trip. The car always had a slight whine and at 250K the transmission failed. There was lots of metal filings in the automatic transmission pan, etc. I got a used transmission and fixed the problem. Was it the pinion bearing that failed? Hard to trust “line” mechanics to perform work properly.

[@franciscogarfias371]

Do you know of a Torsten diff that would fit in the front for a 4eat?

[@Benny-dv7xm]

Are you guys out there? Are you in Baltimore?

[@mohamedelakabawey3729]

I have Subaru Impreza 2013 run out of front differential oil for 3 days, what shall and how to check if front differential is affected

[@jeremccurdy]

What attachment did you use on the slide hammer to pull the axle stubs?

[@joelstevensz06]

Hey guys just want to thank you for everything y'all do for the Subaru Community I have a huge favor to ask you. I have a 05 Outback XT so it should have the vlsd for the rear diff and a VTC for the center diff I've already exploded both of these LOL and replace them. I'm about to do the center diff mod that you've explained and ordered the switch and resistor. My question is is there a factory LSD front diff for the automatic that I can get from a wrecking yard? Or a way to make it a locker? Also is it possible to get a Torque Locker Center diff? I have an 05 with the vf52 turbo and 6 inch lift really trying to make this thing an awesome off-roader and still be drivable to and from work would love to have LSD front and either Locker Center and rear or LSD Center in rear as well

[@stephenhunt6253]

So, how did the diff run out of oil in the first place? There's not really any where for the gear oil to go, unless (a) someone drained it and forgot to refill or (b) there's a crack/leak in the diff housing. Did you find any evidence of the latter?

[@powerofyourbrains]

That transmission came in the car, which had a broken connecting rod and many other signs of neglect from it's former string of teenage owners. I don't know why. If I were to guess it would be got cooked off after 21 years and 160k of neglected maintenance. That, and it probably escaped slowly out of the aging seals.

[@mobrien7211]

It's been in my experience some cars eat certain fluids, vws are notorious for drinking power steering fluid, no leaks, just gone lol

[@beaulinn3022]

Are the front axles sealed away from the diff or should the oil come out if you remove the axles from the diff? i remember being surprised that no oil came out when i replaced my front axles and now im worried the diff is empty

[@TylerScranton]

There should be a dipstick for the front diff. But no, oil will not come out when you pull the axles. There's a relatively small amount of oil that sits in the bottom of the diff. The movement of gears through the oil takes care of the lubrication.

[@marcelinohonoratodefariasf8758]

quantos dentes tem engrenagem do sensor de velocidade do subaru legacy 1998

[@He4rtL3ss1]

Hearing the same grinding noise in my 04 Fozzy, diagnosed it to be my front diff as well, wondering if I'll find the same issue in mine when I read it apart, if I don't go the route of just dropping in a used trans, thought my trans and Center diff still work well, the front diff still works but does grind if I'm hard on it.. don't have the lack of gear oil issue you guys had though as mine is still full and clean

[@powerofyourbrains]

Well sorry to hear that. Fortunately it's not all bad though. If you're pretty confident about the cars maintenance records it could just be that you need new or move viscous gear fluid. It could also be carrier bearings. Those are less of a big deal to replace, but in reality you may as well just pick up a phase II 4EAT at the junkyard. Check car-part.com to find the part nearest you. You can probably find the entire trans/diff assembly and just swap it in there. Cheap and easy...easier than getting a new front diff dialed in for sure

[@flyfishingadventure.6997]

How Hoarder is it to Make a differential looker switch for a Subaru Outback and is it Possible. Keep up the good videos.

[@TylerScranton]

What kind of locker are you looking for? The center diff, or the rear?

[@flyfishingadventure.6997]

Tyler Scranton the center diff.

[@TylerScranton]

The center diff, if you have the MPT or VTD based AWD, is super easy. Check out our mod video on that. For the rear diff, there are some that have rigged together a locker that will fit the R160, but so far all of these take a lot of work, and are around $2000, MINIMUM. That said, there are rumors that there's a company working to create an autolocking drop in for the R160, but I won't elaborate too much on that.... For now. ;) As for the front diff.... There tons of LSDs that will fit in the front of the manual boxes. For the auto, it seems like there's only been 1 proper LSD ever made, and only a handful of those units exist. Phantom Grip is an option, but... Well, we haven't used one and can't recommend it one way or the other. No locking solution for front otherwise, and an autolocking would ruin the streetability of it.

[@powerofyourbrains]

@@flyfishingadventure.6997 Not hard at all as long as you have an automatic and some basic electrical skills. Same concept as what we show in the diff locker video, and you can find more detailed instructions in forums if you need.

[@TylerScranton]

@@flyfishingadventure.6997 Check out our center-diff locking vid. It's some pretty basic wiring. Feel free to ask if you have any questions!

[@chasecampbell943]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it a PTU In a AWD VEHICLE

[@TylerScranton]

Never heard of the term before now, but it seems that in a front wheel drive based, transverse system, where the AWD is just kind of added on, it referred to as a power takeoff unit. Subaru uses a symmetrical AWD system with a longitudinal layout. While, in some systems, the power is slightly front biased in normal conditions, it's designed from the ground up to be AWD. Front differential, rear differential, and then some variation of a center "diff" to transfer the power. Engineering Explained has a great video explaining the 4 flavors of Subaru AWD. So I guess your center diff is technically a power transfer unit, but not in the same sense as a FWD based system.

[@d0stawca]

Hey, Curious as I'm just before this. Making a dual range 1,447 with 4,444 diff and 0,738 5th. Is it possible to swap wrx bellhousing to n/a sf box? Any ideas?

[@powerofyourbrains]

You are seeking the turbocharged version of the holy grail. Not sure if the exact setup you're going for is possible or not, but I will say that swapping in a 4.44 front diff from an auto into a manual involves swapping the pinion too. If I recall correctly, that's all one big assembly, designed specifically for the auto configuration of course.

[@d0stawca]

@@powerofyourbrains i've got 4.444/from manual box.

[@dukeofnyd1]

I didnt open my box yet. It sounds like it has broken Christmas ornaments in it. 😬

[@powerofyourbrains]

Ha, maybe. Open it up, I can't remember if there's any other random crap in yours

[@dukeofnyd1]

@@powerofyourbrains im waiting til i have time to film an unboxing

[@powerofyourbrains]

Haha, righto then. In that case I'm really hoping I put some random crap in there. Take your time, lol

[@bonifacemuriuki3229]

Very informative video (7:33, would a worn, faulty clutch pack cause loss of power when going uphill?). I always check my front diff oil, but will definitely check it today again....just to be sure.

[@powerofyourbrains]

Thanks, and it wouldnt cause power loss. Stalling at around 2500 rpm?

[@TheHandyFireman]

I'd be almost a shame not to add a locker or L/S at this point. Theres one that fits from a Nissan pathfinder I believe but does take some monkeying around with other subaru parts to install. I've got the info hanging around someplace. Cheers fellas

[@bonifacemuriuki3229]

@@powerofyourbrains ah Ok! How do you mean stalling at 2500RPM?

[@powerofyourbrains]

By stalling i just mean failure to advance, feeling like power loss. It happens when you hit the stall load for your torque converter. If it is, you can either go faster, install a high performance torque converter, or climb less steep hills.

[@bonifacemuriuki3229]

@@powerofyourbrains yes, it does that, even on smallest of inclines. When I step on the gas the rev jumps to 3000 for a while, then drops (repeat)... So if the issue is the torque converter, would installing a higher capacity engine make a difference? Not climbing steep hills isn't an option!!

[@TylerScranton]

Why is my face the censor. :(

[@powerofyourbrains]

The black box is the sensor, you're just decoration. Anyways, send your diff pics to [e-mail]

[@TylerScranton]

I've never showed off my diff before. I'm kinda shy about it.