2003 C4S Front Differential Leaking And Bushings

[steve germany]

Loren, and other wizards,

I do drive the car as it was intended and have driven the Nurbergring several times.

Question 1

I have a oil leak(s) and it(they) seems to be the seals from the front axles to the front differential housing. Does the front transaxle have to be dropped to replace these two seals? Is that the likely problem? I have had the coil overs changed out twice (JICs once and KW the second time) and each time the front axles were slid out of the differential housing and slid back in upon coil over replacement. Is it common that the seals leak when the axles are reinstalled into the differential housing?

Question 2

The two front transmission bushings of my C4s seem to have an open area in the rubber bushing directly toward the ground (I can feel it with my finger). My assumption is that the bushing has failed in a single direction splitting the bushing in one single direction. This would account for the sharp clunking that I hear when hitting sharp road imperfections in my mind. Does any of this resemble any problem(s) that you have solved before?

Greatfully

Steve

[Dharn55]

Don't have an answer on the leaks but I am curious on what the responses will be. I finished the installation of my coil overs yesterday. A 2000 Scott, and had the driveshafts on both sides out. Ironically, the manual says to undo the bolt that holds the shaft into the wheel carrier, as if the shaft would come out of the carrier but stay in the differential. I did this on the first side, but there was no way the shaft was coming out of the carrier without being pressed.

[Loren]

1. No, but the front axles would need to come out. You will need to press out the flanged shaft. The new seal will require a special seal seating tool.

2. Not sure what you mean by bushings but it sound like there is play in the cardan shaft or the bearing has gone.

I suggest you find a good Porsche shop and have them put it up on a lift and confirm what is wrong.