Diff Fluid inside car... Speedo Cable?

[McFrosty]

So I have diff fluid (gear fluid or whatever you want to call it) running down from the gauge cluster in my car. It then runs down the steering column and pools up on my floor mat. It's worse when I drive long distances, like from Portland to Seattle this morning.

Could it be that diff fluid is being forced up the speedo cable and out of the cable where it connects to the gause cluster. My speedo seems to be working fine. However there is also diff fluid leaking where the speedo cable enters the AUTO transmission. Is my tranny or gearbox clogged? I have a new engine with under 1000 miles that is producing a lot more HP than the original... possible connection?

I was so confused when I first saw this. I thought it was engine oil until I smelled it, but its definitely diff fluid. Somebody please help!

[Alistair]

Same problem just started with my '94 last week... diff gear oil leaking out from where the speedo cable sheath ends, behind the dash. I've been putting a plastic bag over my right leg driving to work .

My Haynes manual talks about changing the speedometer O-ring. I'm thinking this is what I need to replace. I'm confused though, as it looks like this connects to the transmission. How come it's gear oil coming up the cable rather than ATF?

I'm going to take a look underneath the car tomorrow, and maybe it'll all become clear then.

[Alistair]

Well, my Haynes manual was wrong... the "speedometer O ring" it describes how to replace is - I think - the cable that indicates how fast the rear driveshaft is turning... NOT the cable that the speedo connects to. I got it part way out before realizing.

So... got the car off the jack stands again and took off the speedo cable where it connects to the diff. Diff oil was leaking all around it. I removed the seal which was old and probably not sealing much... hopefully this was the problem. Now I just have to see if I can find a replacement seal somewhere... it's not just an O-ring, but is indented, so I'll have to find one with the right inside and outside diameters... wish me luck.

[ericem]

make your own with some silicone sealent, and get the high temp one, that is 02 safe.

[McFrosty]

Thats good stuff to know Alistair... I was out of town for a few days so now I finally get to deal with that mess. So are you saying that you ended up replacing the speedometer cable? Or just the seals. I'm a little confused.

[Legacy777]

your speedo cable connects to the front diff....trans is behind it.

Replace this piece, and you should be good.
http://main.experiencetherave.com:8080/ ... lebase.jpg

[Alistair]

Thanks Josh... that looks like the part.

When I removed mine, it came apart so the black ring you see (the seal I'm talking about) and the metal washer below it were still attached firmly to the diff. I removed the black seal and that's what I was looking for a replacement for. I didn't realize it was all part of the speedo cable.

Before I saw your post, I contacted the local subaru dealer ... they say they have that part (just the seal, P/N 806712090). I'm going to go get it tomorrow. If it looks the same as what I removed, I'll just replace that. If they're trying to sell me the wrong part, I'll order the speedo cable instead, and then probably have a hard time trying to get that metal washer out.

I'll let you all know how it goes.

[Legacy777]

I'd recommend replacing that base piece that I posted in the pic. They're cheap, and a common failure part.

That black seal only seals the oil from getting to the outside of the diff. There is an internal seal in that piece that keeps the fluid from leaking out of the center portion. To my knowledge that can't be replaced, therefore you need to replace the entire base piece.

Make sure you get all of the old base piece out when you replace it.

[Alistair]

Thanks... I ordered the speedo cable base and will be replacing it Saturday.