2003 Legacy Outback - Burnt grease smell - Not the boot

[AS]

Just so there is a record of this problem as a separate news tread.

The wife began to notice the burnt grease smell, so familiar due to the
inner CVJ boot failure. As usual I thought, the boot must be torn, so I
ordered the boot kit.

To my surprise the boot was perfect, but the oil seal was leaking. Upon
disassembly, I found that the seal was good, but it was leaking because
the ring gear bearing inner race was spinning on the ring bearing
carried, generating metal particles that lodged on the oil seal lip,
causing it to fail. This bearing problem could become a good reason to
replace the car.

Just a reminder to replace and keep the front differential oil in
perfect shape. It seems that the catalytic converter being so close to
the transmission cooks more than the CVJ rubber boots.

I hope everyone else, unlike me, has the gods of bearing fits on their side.

 

[Todd H.]

I hope everyone else, unlike me, has the gods of bearing fits on
their side.

Thanks for posting that.

Let me ask a dumb question.... how do you check the front diff level?
I'm sure it's in my manual somewhere, but the wife has the car and the
manual at present and you've got me thinkin bout it now.

 

[AS]

In the AT there is a dipstick, right behind the axle, on the right hand
side (passenger side)

Look not only for the level but for the condition of the oil. Anything
tan or brown should come out of there.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

In the AT there is a dipstick, right behind the axle, on the right hand
side (passenger side)

Look not only for the level but for the condition of the oil. Anything
tan or brown should come out of there.

One thing I've noticed on the wife's 03 H6 OBW is how poorly/loosely the
little dipstick sits in the opening. There is an o-ring there, but I
doubt it seals very well.
If I were to change the diff fluid early, what would be a good iol to
put in there? Just the Subaru fluid or is there a better alternative?

Carl

 

[AS]

Yes, i was just thinking about this issue and decided to check the tread
and found your message. It is too loose, but I do not remember seeing a
breather in the housing. Is there one?

 

[Todd H.]

In the AT there is a dipstick, right behind the axle, on the right
hand side (passenger side)

Look not only for the level but for the condition of the oil.
Anything tan or brown should come out of there.

Is this something to be looking for under the hood, or is it accessed
from underneath on the ground?

I must be lucky that regular mtc schedule has been done and nothing
weird has happened. My 2001 I bought new has 122k on it now, and I
don't this. *smacks forehead*

Thanks for the illumination.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Is this something to be looking for under the hood, or is it accessed
from underneath on the ground?

I must be lucky that regular mtc schedule has been done and nothing
weird has happened. My 2001 I bought new has 122k on it now, and I
don't this. *smacks forehead*

Thanks for the illumination.

It's a tiny little thing, just forward of the firewall down low. It is
a little difficult to get too, though on my car it's easier than the
tranny stick which must be bent from under some other stuff.

Carl