Differential: Removal & Installation Subaru Impreza GC/GF

Removal

1. Remove rear exhaust pipe (if necessary). Remove front cover of rear differential mount (if equipped). Mark drive shaft for installation reference.
2. Remove bolts attaching drive shaft to pinion flange. Remove bolts attaching center bearing to body. Remove drive shaft from transaxle. Plug opening at rear of extension housing.

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nut and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Drain gear oil from differential. Raise and support rear of vehicle. Place reference mark on drive shaft flange and companion flange for reassembly reference. Disconnect drive shaft from companion flange. Measure and record rotating torque of pinion shaft. Remove pinion nut. Remove pinion flange with puller. Remove oil seal.

Apply grease to oil seal lip. Install oil seal. Install pinion flange. Tighten flange nut until pinion shaft rotating torque is same as recorded before removal. Tighten pinion flange nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Stake lock nut. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Ensure gear shift selector lever is in neutral position. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels. Remove rear exhaust pipe and muffler assembly. Remove front exhaust sheet metal heat shield.
2. Remove differential front mount cover. Remove drive shaft. Remove exhaust pipe heat shield. Unbolt parking brake cable mounting brackets. Using screwdriver, pry rear axles from rear differential. Hang axles with wire from crossmember.
3. Remove lower differential bracket. Support differential with transmission jack. Unbolt differential from crossmember. Unbolt front differential sub-frame. With assistance from helper holding sub-frame, slowly lower differential. Move differential forward until differential rear mounting studs clear crossmember and remove.
4. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-48292-S37711194022001011500000) . Check transmission fluid level.

Pre-Disassembly Inspection

Mount differential on Stand (398217700). Remove rear cover. Check gear tooth contact pattern. See GEAR TOOTH CONTACT PATTERNS article in GENERAL INFORMATION. Using dial indicator, check ring gear backlash. Backlash should be .0039-.0059" (.10-.15 mm). Check ring gear runout. Runout should not exceed .0020" (.05 mm).

Note. Mark bearing side retainers for reassembly reference.