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Front Differential: Adjustment

  1. Using ST, screw in the retainer until light contact is felt.
    NOTE: Screw in the RH side slightly deeper than the LH side.

    ST 499787000 WRENCH ASSY

    Fig 1: Measuring Backlash
    G00924235Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  2. Remove the oil pump housing.
  3. Thoroughly remove the liquid gasket from the case mating surface beforehand.
  4. Install the oil pump housing assembly to the torque converter clutch case, and secure evenly by tightening four bolts.
    NOTE: Use an old gasket or an aluminum washer so as not to damage the mating surface of the housing.
    1. Tightening torque: 41 N.m (4.2 kgf-m, 30.4 ft-lb) 
    Fig 2: Removing Oil Pump Housing
    G00924236Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  5. Rotate the drive pinion several times with ST1 and ST2.

    ST1 498937110 HOLDER

    ST2 499787700 WRENCH

    Fig 3: Identifying Drive Pinion Rotating Position
    G00924237Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  6. Tighten the LH retainer until contact is felt while rotating the shaft. Then loosen the RH retainer. Keep tightening the LH retainer and loosening the RH retainer until the pinion shaft can no longer be turned. This is the "zero" state.
    Fig 4: Identifying Retainer
    G00924238Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  7. After the "zero" state is established, back off the LH retainer 3 notches and secure it with the lock plate. Then back off the RH retainer and retighten until it stops. Rotate drive pinion a few times. Tighten the RH retainer 1-3/4 notches further. This sets the preload. Finally, secure the retainer with its lock plate.
    Fig 5: Identifying Lock Plate
    G00924239Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    NOTE: Turning the retainer by one tooth changes the backlash about 0.05 mm (0.0020 in).
    Fig 6: Identifying Retainer Tooth Dimension
    G00924240Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  8. Turn the drive pinion several rotations with ST1 and check to see if the backlash is within the standard value with ST2, ST3, ST4 and ST5.

    ST1 499787700 WRENCH

    ST2 498247001 MAGNET BASE

    ST3 498247100 DIAL GAUGE

    ST4 499787500 ADAPTER

    ST5 498255400 PLATE

    1. Backlash: 0.13 - 0.18 mm (0.0051 - 0.0071 in) 
    Fig 7: Checking Backlash Using Special Tool
    G00924241Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  9. Adjust the tooth contact between front differential and drive shaft. Refer to ADJUSTMENT .
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