2012 Subaru Outback Base, Automatic CVT TransFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE

Automatic Transmission Assembly: Removal

  1. Remove the front wheels.
  2. Disconnect the ground cable from battery.
  3. Remove the air intake duct. Refer to AIR INTAKE DUCT IN(H4SO)-9, REMOVAL, Air Intake Duct.
  4. Remove the air intake boot assembly. Refer to AIR INTAKE BOOT IN(H4SO)-8, REMOVAL, Air Intake Boot.
  5. Remove the ten clips and remove the grill bracket.
    Fig 1: Locating Grill Bracket Mounting Clips
    G06654357Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  6. Disconnect the following connectors.
    • Transmission harness connectors
    • Transmission radio ground terminal
    • Inhibitor harness connector
      Fig 2: Identifying Transmission Harness Connectors, Transmission Radio Ground Terminal And Inhibitor Harness Connector
      G07913309Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  7. Separate the battery cable clip to remove the bracket.
    Fig 3: Locating Battery Cable Clip And Bolts
    G06654359Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  8. Remove the starter. Refer to STARTER SC(H4SO)-9, REMOVAL, Starter.
  9. Remove the throttle body. Refer to THROTTLE BODY FU(H4SO)-15, REMOVAL, Throttle Body.
  10. Remove the manifold absolute pressure sensor. Refer to MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE SENSOR FU(H4SO)-32, REMOVAL, Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor.
  11. Remove the bolt and disconnect the engine harness connector.
    Fig 4: Locating Engine Harness Mounting Bolt
    G06651796Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  12. Remove the engine harness connector from the engine hanger rear.
    Fig 5: Locating Engine Harness Connector
    G07913312Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  13. Remove the engine hanger rear.
    Fig 6: Locating Engine Hanger Rear
    G07913313Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  14. Remove the service hole plug.
    Fig 7: Identifying Service Hole Plug
    G06654363Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  15. Install the engine hanger rear for turbo model.

    Part No. 10004AA180 ENGINE HANGER REAR

    Tightening torque: 

    16 N.m (1.6 kgf-m, 11.8 ft-lb) 

    Fig 8: Identifying Engine Hanger Rear
    G06651799Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  16. Remove the four bolts combining the torque converter and drive plate while rotating the crank pulley a little at a time in the same direction as engine revolution.
    CAUTION:
    • Be careful not to drop bolts into converter housing.
    • Be careful not to damage the mounting bolts.
      Fig 9: Identifying Torque Converter And Drive Plate Combining Bolts
      G06654365Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  17. Make sure the torque converter moves freely by rotating with finger through the starter installation hole.
  18. Attach the ST to the converter case.

    ST 498277200 STOPPER SET

    Fig 10: Identifying Converter Case With ST
    G06654366Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  19. After pulling off the cotter pin and removing the castle nut, use a puller to remove the tie-rod end from the knuckle arm.
    Fig 11: Identifying Cotter Pin, Tie-Rod End And Castle Nut
    G07913318Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  20. Lift up the vehicle.
  21. Remove the under cover.
  22. Remove the center exhaust pipe. Refer to CENTER EXHAUST PIPE EX(H4SO)-7, REMOVAL, Center Exhaust Pipe.
  23. Remove the CVTF drain plug to drain CVTF. Refer to , REPLACEMENT , CVTF.
  24. Remove the heat shield cover.
    Fig 12: Identifying Heat Shield Cover
    G06651705Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  25. Remove the snap pin and washer from shifter arm and remove the select cable from shifter arm.
    Fig 13: Identifying Shifter Arm, Snap Pin, Select Cable And Washer
    G07913320Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  26. Remove the plate assembly from the transmission case.
    Fig 14: Identifying Select Cable And Plate Assy
    G07913321Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  27. Drain differential gear oil. Refer to , REPLACEMENT , Differential Gear Oil.
  28. Remove the CVTF inlet hose and CVTF outlet hose.
    Fig 15: Identifying CVTF Inlet Hose And CVTF Outlet Hose
    G06654371Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  29. Remove the universal joint. Refer to UNIVERSAL JOINT PS-21, REMOVAL, Universal Joint.
  30. Remove the propeller shaft. Refer to PROPELLER SHAFT DS-10, REMOVAL, Propeller Shaft.
  31. Remove the stabilizer link.
  32. Disconnect the lower arm ball joint and housing.
  33. Pull out the front drive shaft from transmission using a crowbar.
  34. Holding the joint of front drive shaft from transmission side, pull out the drive shaft from transmission with care not to stretch the boot.
  35. Lower the vehicle.
  36. Remove the nuts from left and right transmission mounting brackets.
    Fig 16: Locating Transmission Mounting Bracket Nut
    G06651801Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  37. Set the ST1 and ST2 to vehicle.

    ST1 99099AJ000 ENGINE HANGER

    ST2 99099AJ010 CHAIN BALANCER

    CAUTION:
    • Set so that the chain sling does not contact the engine parts.
    • Set the arms of ST (ENGINE HANGER) at the locations shown in the figure.
      Fig 17: Identifying Engine Hanger And Chain Balancer On Transmission Assembly (View 1 Of 2)
      G06654373Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
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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