I recently completed a lift kit (ADF 2″), rear diff bushings, and front axles on my 2000 subaru outback. After driving it a bit to let the car settle, I noticed a leak. It’s probably a drop every second and leaks continuously with the car off. The prop shaft was my first thought, since I moved the drive-axle it wouldn’t be surprising if an old seal leaked. However, I’m not seeing any paths from that. Just old dry/moist sludge on the outside of the case and the axle and bell are bone-dry. I also thought of the shift seal, and while it appears to be weeping, it’s not the leak I’m seeing. Neither of these spots seem to make sense for leaking continously either. I would think the prop seal and shifter seal are high enough to not leak all night with the car off.
The leak seems to be coming from behind the shift bracket attached to the aft of the transfer case, the more I look the more I think that the case is cracked behind there. There even seems to be a sliver of metal wedged there if I look close.
Looking for advice from anyone who knows these manual transmissions well. Hopefully my videos will upload to aid in discussion.
Leak location – bottom bolt of the shift bracket. A small stream runs between the gap:
Drivers side of trans (passenger is clean) – clearly old, clearly leaking, but no ‘streams’ or wet spots. Wettis component is the shift rod:
Looking in at the shift seal (doesn’t seem super wet, no ‘streams’):
Prop shaft:
