Rear Differential Front Oil Seal: Replacement

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Subaru Forester. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Shift the select lever or gear shift lever to neutral.
Release the parking brake.
Disconnect the ground cable from battery.
Lift up the vehicle.
Remove the drain plug and filler plug, and drain the gear oil.

Fig 1: Identifying Filler And Drain Plug
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Install the drain plug.
NOTE: Apply liquid gasket to the drain plug.

Liquid gasket:

THREE BOND 1105 (Part No. 004403010) or equivalent

Tightening torque:

49 N.m (5.0 kgf-m, 36.1 ft-lb)
Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
- Non-turbo model
  < Refer to REMOVAL , Rear Exhaust Pipe. > < Refer to REMOVAL , Muffler. >
- Turbo model
  < Refer to REMOVAL , Rear Exhaust Pipe. > < Refer to REMOVAL , Muffler. >
Remove the heat shield cover.

Fig 2: Identifying Heat Shield Cover
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the propeller shaft. < Refer to REMOVAL , Propeller Shaft. >
Check the initial torque and write it down.
Remove the self-locking nut while holding the companion flange with ST.
ST 498427200 FLANGE WRENCH

Fig 3: Removing Self-Locking Nut Using Flange Wrench
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Extract the companion flange using ST.
ST 399703600 PULLER ASSY

Fig 4: Extracting Companion Flange Using ST
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the oil seal using ST or screwdriver.
ST 398527700 PULLER ASSY

Fig 5: Removing Oil Seal Using ST
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Using the ST, install the oil seal.
NOTE:
- Use a new oil seal.
- Apply differential gear oil to the oil seal lips.
ST 498447120 INSTALLER

Fig 6: Installing Oil Seal Using Installer
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Install the companion flange.
NOTE: Use a plastic hammer to install companion flange.
Tighten the self-locking nut to the specified torque so that the initial torque of the companion flange is the same value as that before replacing the oil seal.
NOTE:
- Use a new self-locking nut.
- Before installing the self-locking nut, apply seal material to self-locking nut threads.
Seal material:

THREE BOND 1324 (Part No. 004403042) or equivalent

Tightening torque:

167 - 196 N.m

(17.0 - 20.0 kgf-m, 123.2 - 144.6 ft-lb)

ST 498427200 FLANGE WRENCH

Fig 7: Installing Self-Locking Nut
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Hereafter, reassemble in the reverse order of disassembly.
After installing, fill the differential carrier with gear oil up to the bottom of the filler plug hole. < Refer to REPLACEMENT , Differential Gear Oil. >