Not fluid, but probably grease from the CV joint.

 

correct. when I busted an axle it looked like fluid since it was slinging from the rotation

 

Yes, the right boot was blasted apart also. The weird thing is that the fluid was right under the diff. I would have expected grease to disperse all over the inside of the wheel. I'm hoping to hear how the repair went this morning...

 

If the outer boot breaks yes it will go all over the inside of the wheel and knuckle/upright. When the inner fails it will spray all over near the diff.

 

Update - So, they put a new axle on and said it drives perfectly - but there is a crack in the diff where fluid comes out.

They suggested they could seal it up with filler and I could be on my way. I don't trust any goo to get me through 7 hours of driving so I am back to taking the diff out. They are hoping they can have that done by tomorrow night.

 

that is the most balanced and informative take from you i have read in these many years vis a vis this car and lsd's, particularly your informed and somewhat revised view as to the potential benefits achievable to the car running by rwd with highly proven w'trac tbd ( for as you've said roughly 1/4 the cost of a guard..) that will indeed lock while "trail braking" etc, if not to the degree of a plate type, still more than adequately for most conditions. lets just say that even wiggle on downshift is barely noticeable on hard cornering/braking.

so i wholly agree with your "bottom line" assessment. this car with an ( any type ) of lsd and rwd is the only way to go to maximize the dry condition, fun quotient. if slider is sliding in northwest rain and daily driving? then, perhaps the benefit of the cars original awd is preferred. but here in the desert...

if i were you, i would ( as others have suggested ) take this as an omen/opportunity to eliminate the awd. even if you don't stub your axles and fully gt2/3 convert, there is much to be gained by running rwd with an lsd. just simply pull the diff, or even just the cardon shaft and add an lsd.. whatever you do? just say no to "goo" lol.

unless of course you feel you want/need awd.

 

Here is another update...

I picked up the car from European Autohaus in Spokane today. They had removed the driveshaft from the front diff and setup the car for 2wd. They charged me for the front axle they bought that they couldn't use because the diff was cracked - I was not happy about that - they put it in a box for me. I said it was their mistake why should I pay for it and they said they couldn't send it back so - tough. I wanted my keys back so I had to pay the extra 600+ for the spare parts.

So, anyone who needs a front axle, please let me know - I will give it to you for cost.

The battery was almost dead (they must have left the hood or door open while they worked) so I didn't want to drive around with air conditioning on to try to charge it back up so I just parked it. I'll go out in the morning when it's cool to make sure everything is OK before my trip back on Saturday.

 

I know of a used diff if you want it.

 

Update - I made it back home with no drama. The car drove quite well and the mileage seemed to be much better (I have never seen 9 ltr/100 km before). I don't know if that was from cleaning all the carbon out on the way there or from the 2wd conversion.

I'm going to drive around like this for a while and decide on the way ahead.

Thanks to all those who chimed in with offers of help when I was stranded in your strange land - this site is great!

 

We carry the stub axle conversion, but in case you do want to stay with a diff:

A part you were searching for is now in stock at dC Automotive.

Part no.: 996.349.010.02

Description: Front-axle, superseded to 99634901003, c4, 52k, 03-2016

Price: $2,200.00

 

Is that the complete diff with two axles? (European Autohaus made me buy one axle already)

 

No affiliation. Best to contact them directly.