Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2002 Subaru Forester BaseFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Pinion Gap
- Measure the pinion gap while the pinion is pulled out. See Fig 1 . If the motor is running with the pinion forced endwise on shaft, disconnect the connector from terminal M of switch assembly, and then connect terminal M to ground terminal (-) of battery with a lead wire. Next, gently push the pinion back with your fingertips, and then measure the pinion gap.
- If the pinion gap is outside specified range, remove or add number of adjustment washers used on the mounting surface of switch assembly until correct pinion gap is obtained.
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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