Questions on how to proceed

STeeL25T · #1 09-08-2020, 04:00 PM

I took my seemingly well cared for and low mileage SVX I recently bought to the dealer today and they found that pretty much everything on the whole front of the car is leaking. Valve cover gaskets and oil pan I've done before on these (with the engine out of the car ._.) but also both front axles are torn, the steering rack is leaking, the front diff is leaking, and so is the transmission pan. So much for an easy fixer upper.

I was just wondering where the experts would go from here. Given the number of things that need to be resealed or replaced and the scarcity of many of them, is this the time where it'd make more sense to do a 4.44 swap or something more drastic? Or are these things things more manageable than I'm thinking?

Sean486 · #2 09-08-2020, 04:48 PM

My advice is to just do a few things at a time. Axles and valve cover gaskets first. The others I would prioritize on how badly they were leaking.

Blacky · #3 09-08-2020, 04:56 PM

Are these things leaking enough to drip under the car?
I've had multiple small leaks ever since I bought my '97 in 2011. It doesn't drip so I just check fluid levels once in a while.
The axle boots should be replaced but are very cheap. If the axles are clicking you might as well just replace them instead of the boots.
Repairing all those issues could run into mucho dinero.

STeeL25T · #4 09-08-2020, 06:31 PM

The transmission most likely is leaving puddles all over my garage and the oil nearly as bad.

The dealer verbally told me that they could not get axles for this car, "even in the aftermarket". I'm assuming that isn't the case though? I've seen a couple for sale just googling it though I don't know whats legit.

LarryIII · #5 09-08-2020, 06:54 PM

I just got a front remanufactured rack & pinon for my '92 from CarID and a seal kit for same from Power Steering Seals in Oklahoma. As soon as I get the seal kit I will start the rebuild process. If you need part nos. contact me. Good Luck.

Blacky · #6 09-09-2020, 03:17 AM

Front axles are readily available. Cardone rebuilds etc. are for sale everywhere. They are the same as several other models of Subaru.

SoCoNoHa · #7 09-09-2020, 09:32 AM

Sounds like an excellent opportunity to refresh some fluids. Realistically, if you have all the parts, that doesn't sound like more than a weekend of work to me. You can just put new boots with fresh grease on the axles if they haven't already started clicking. I wouldn't drive it too far if it's leaking trans and diff fluid, depending on the severity it may be more detrimental than the leaking oil pan or valve covers.

Personally, I think ANYTIME is a great time to put shorter gears in an SVX.

STeeL25T · #8 09-10-2020, 06:25 PM

Decided to go ahead with the major repairs myself. I got new front axles which I hope are correct and a transmission filter/gasket/O ring kit in today. So far Ive got the axle nuts off but don't seem to have anything laying around that can knock the holding pin out so I'll get back on that over the weekend I guess.

The big surprise was that whoever did the transmission pan last time.... My god. One bolt is broken off in the trans, two bolts do not match the rest at all (one is a 14 mm), and worst of all, rather than use a gasket the pan is caked on with red permatex... All the bolts are out but the pan is completely stuck. I can't even pry it off -_-

irox · #9 09-10-2020, 07:22 PM

Ugh, stuck pans really suck.

Try and hit it with a heat gun. That (and a lot of careful time/work) got my pan unstuck without any bending/scratching of the mating surfaces.

Good luck!
Ian.

STeeL25T · #10 09-12-2020, 07:44 AM

Is there another 4EAT transmission pan we can use? Mine looks like it has a bit dent in it I'm just noticing. Also its still stuck on there like glue and it's looking increasingly unlikely that I'll get it off without damaging it further.

SoCoNoHa · #11 09-12-2020, 04:37 PM

Oof, sounds like you've got your work cut out for you. I would expect the 90's 4eat pans were all very similar if not the same.

I have a Phillips head screwdriver I've used for years to knock the pins out, it's the perfect diameter. I recently ground the head flat with a very small radius on the edge, but it worked well before modification. That and the best tool ever: HAMMER!

STeeL25T · #12 09-13-2020, 05:37 AM

Luckily I have a Harbor Freight right around the corner so I just bought a set of long pin presses for like 8 dollars. Even with the right tool it was a pain to get those pins out, and for some reason on one side it was an even bigger pain trying to line everything up to put them back in, but the axles are finally done. Pan is off too... I'm just mentally preparing myself for the process for having to scrap all that RTV off of the entire bottom of the trans -_-

SoCoNoHa · #13 09-13-2020, 03:19 PM

Nice progress! I believe the pinholes only line up one way, it is indeed a pain.

STeeL25T · #14 09-14-2020, 09:53 AM

Unfortunately, I got a better look at what I'm dealing with here -_-

Is there any chance at all now that a gasket can seal the trans from continuously dumping fluid on my garage floor now after some idiot has drilled out the holes like this?

Blacky · #15 09-14-2020, 04:42 PM

Wow that's nasty!
It's only two holes and it looks like a bolt will still thread in, it could be OK. You only torque the pan bolts very lightly. The gasket still surrounds the damaged holes.