Differential Side Retainer Oil Seal: Replacement

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Subaru Impreza. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Disconnect the ground terminal from 12V engine restart battery sensor. Refer to REPAIR CONTENTS>REPAIR CONTENTS>NOTE>BATTERY .
Loosen the self-locking nut of the strut mount by three turns.

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the front tires. Refer to WHEEL AND TIRE SYSTEM>TIRE AND WHEEL>REMOVAL .
Lift up the vehicle.
Using the TORX® bit T70, remove the drain plug, and drain the transmission gear oil completely.
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.
Replace the gasket with a new part and install the drain plug using the TORX® bit T70.
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)

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the crossmember support - rear.

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the front exhaust pipe. Refer to EXHAUST (H4DO (EXCEPT FOR HEV))>FRONT EXHAUST PIPE>REMOVAL .
Disconnect the stabilizer link.

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the nuts at 3 places, and separate the front arm from the ball joint.
NOTE:
- To prevent damage of the front arm ball joint boot, place a wooden block, etc. between front arm and ball joint.
- Mark the engaging position of the ball joint and front arm assembly before loosening the flange nuts. Doing so will facilitate aligning the position when assembling and lessen adjusting allowance for wheel alignment.
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Using a crowbar, separate the front drive shaft.

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the differential side retainer oil seal using the ST (PULLER ASSY).
CAUTION: If removing the oil seal with a flat tip screwdriver, be careful not to scratch the differential side retainer.
Using the ST, install a new 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 (R, L) during the installation so as not to mix up the oil seal RH and LH.
Preparation tool:

ST: DIFFERENTIAL SIDE OIL SEAL INSTALLER (18675AA000)

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Set the ST (OIL SEAL PROTECTOR) to the differential side retainer.
Replace the circlip of the front drive shaft with a new part.
Install the front drive shaft and remove ST.
Preparation tool:

ST: OIL SEAL PROTECTOR (28399SA010)

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Replace the flange nut with a new part, and install the ball joint to the front arm.
Tightening torque:

100 N.m (10.2 kgf-m, 73.8 ft-lb)

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Replace the flange nut with a new part, and install the stabilizer link.
Tightening torque:

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

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Install the front exhaust pipe. Refer to EXHAUST (H4DO (EXCEPT FOR HEV))>FRONT EXHAUST PIPE>INSTALLATION .
Install the crossmember support - rear.
Tightening torque:

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

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Lower the vehicle.
Using the ST, tighten the strut mount self-locking nut.
Preparation tool:

ST: STRUT MOUNT SOCKET (20399AG000)

Tightening torque:

55 N.m (5.6 kgf-m, 40.6 ft-lb)

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Pour in transmission gear oil and check the oil level. Refer to MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND DIFFERENTIAL (5MT)>TRANSMISSION GEAR OIL>REPLACEMENT .
Install the front tires. Refer to WHEEL AND TIRE SYSTEM>TIRE AND WHEEL>INSTALLATION .
Connect the ground terminal to 12V engine restart battery sensor. Refer to REPAIR CONTENTS>REPAIR CONTENTS>NOTE>BATTERY .
Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust if necessary. Refer to FRONT SUSPENSION>WHEEL ALIGNMENT .