Differential Side Retainer Oil Seal: Replacement

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Disconnect the ground cable from battery.
Remove the front tires.
Lift up the vehicle.
Remove the transmission under cover.

Fig 1: Identifying Transmission Under Cover
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Using the TORX® bit T70, remove the drain plug, and drain the transmission gear oil completely.

Fig 2: Identifying Drain Plug
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
CAUTION:
- Immediately after the vehicle has been running or after idling for a long time, the gear oil will be hot. Be careful not to receive burns.
- Be careful not to spill the gear oil on the exhaust pipe, to prevent emission of smoke or causing a fire. If gear oil is spilled, wipe it off completely.
Attach the drain plug using TORX® bit T70.
NOTE: Use a new gasket.

Tightening torque:

44 N.m (4.5 kgf-m, 32.5 ft-lb) (aluminum gasket, silver)

70 N.m (7.1 kgf-m, 51.6 ft-lb) (copper gasket, brown)

70 N.m (7.1 kgf-m, 51.6 ft-lb) (metal gasket, black)

Fig 3: Identifying Drain Plug
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the center exhaust pipe. Ref. to EXHAUST(H4DO)>Center Exhaust Pipe>REMOVAL .
Disconnect the stabilizer link.

Fig 4: Locating Stabilizer Link
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Remove the bolt securing the ball joint of the front arm to the housing, then separate the front arms and the housing.

Fig 5: Locating Ball Joint Of Front Arm Bolt
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Using a crowbar, separate the left and right front drive shafts.

Fig 6: Separating Left And Right Front Drive Shafts Using Crowbar
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the differential side retainer oil seal.
NOTE:
- Be sure to replace the oil seal after removing the front drive shaft from the transmission.
- Use the ST 398527700 PULLER ASSY to remove the oil seal. If removing the oil seal with a flat tip screwdriver, be careful not to scratch the differential side retainer.
Using the ST, install the differential side retainer oil seal by lightly tapping with a plastic hammer.
CAUTION:
- Apply transmission gear oil to the oil seal lips, and install the oil seal while being careful not to deform the lip.
- Check the identification marks (L, R) during installation not to mix up the oil seals RH and LH.
NOTE: Use a new oil seal.

ST 18675AA000 DIFFERENTIAL SIDE OIL SEAL INSTALLER

Fig 7: Installing Differential Side Retainer Oil Seal Using ST
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Install the ST to the transmission, and then install the front drive shaft.
ST 28399SA010 OIL SEAL PROTECTOR

Fig 8: Installing ST To Transmission
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Insert the front arm ball joint and tighten the mounting bolt.
Tightening torque:

50 N.m (5.1 kgf-m, 36.9 ft-lb)

Fig 9: Locating Front Arm Ball Joint Mounting Bolt
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Install the stabilizer link.
Tightening torque:

60 N.m (6.1 kgf-m, 44.3 ft-lb)

Fig 10: Locating Stabilizer Link
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Install the center exhaust pipe. Ref. to EXHAUST(H4DO)>Center Exhaust Pipe>INSTALLATION .
Install the transmission under cover.
Tightening torque:

18 N.m (1.8 kgf-m, 13.3 ft-lb)

Fig 11: Identifying Transmission Under Cover
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Lower the vehicle.
Pour in transmission gear oil and check the oil level. Ref. to MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND DIFFERENTIAL (6MT)>Transmission Gear Oil .
Install the front tires.
Connect the battery ground terminal.