Rear Differential: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Subaru Forester. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Set the vehicle on a lift.
Shift the select lever or gear shift lever to neutral.
Release the parking brake.
Disconnect the ground cable from battery.
Loosen the wheel nuts.
Lift up the vehicle.
Remove the wheels.
Drain differential gear oil. < Ref. to REPLACEMENT , Differential Gear Oil. >
Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
- Non-turbo model
  < Ref. to REMOVAL , Rear Exhaust Pipe. > < Ref. to REMOVAL , Muffler. >
- Turbo model
  < Ref. to REMOVAL , Rear Exhaust Pipe. > < Ref. to REMOVAL , Muffler. >
Remove the heat shield cover.

Fig 1: Heat Shield Cover
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the propeller shaft. < Ref. to REMOVAL , Propeller Shaft. >
Remove the DOJ of rear drive shaft from rear differential.
1. Remove the ABS wheel speed sensor cable from the clamp.
  
  Fig 2: Locating ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Cable
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
2. Disconnect the connector, and then remove the nut to remove the rear vehicle height sensor, (model with auto headlight beam leveler, left side only)
  
  Fig 3: Locating Rear Vehicle Height Sensor Nuts
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Remove the bolts which secure the rear stabilizer link to the rear lateral link.
  
  Fig 4: Locating Rear Stabilizer Link Bolt
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
4. Remove the bolts which secure the shock absorber to the rear lateral link.
  
  Fig 5: Locating Shock Absorber Bolt
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
5. Remove the bolts which secure the rear lateral link to the housing.
  
  Fig 6: Locating Rear Lateral Link Bolt
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
6. Remove the bolts which secure the trailing link to the housing.
  
  Fig 7: Locating Trailing Link Bolt
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
7. Remove the DOJ from the rear differential by using ST.
  NOTE: When removing the DOJ from the rear differential, fit the ST to the bolts as shown in the illustration so as not to damage the side retainer.
  
  ST 28099PA100 DRIVE SHAFT REMOVER
  
  Fig 8: Removing Rear Differential Bolt
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Suspend the rear drive shaft to the rear cross-member using wire.

Fig 9: Suspending Rear Drive Shaft To Rear Cross-Member Using Wire
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear differential front member.

Fig 10: Rear Differential Front Member
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Support the rear differential with the transmission jack.

Fig 11: Supporting Rear Differential With Transmission Jack
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the self-lock nuts which hold the rear differential to the rear crossmember.

Fig 12: Rear Crossmember Self-Lock Nuts
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
While slowly lowering the transmission jack, move the rear differential forward, and remove the rear differential from the vehicle.

Fig 13: Lowering Transmission Jack
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear differential member plate from the rear differential.

Fig 14: Rear Differential Member Plate
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.