2013 Subaru Outback LimitedFACTORY 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 REMOVAL .
  4. Remove the air intake boot assembly. Refer to REMOVAL .
  5. Remove the ten clips and remove the grille bracket.
    Fig 1: Locating Grille Bracket 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
      G08578620Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  7. Separate the battery cable clip to remove the bracket.
    Fig 3: Locating Battery Cable Clip And Bracket
    G06654359Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  8. Remove the starter. Refer to REMOVAL .
  9. Disconnect the throttle position sensor harness connector and manifold pressure sensor harness connector.
    Fig 4: Locating Throttle Position Sensor And Manifold Pressure Sensor Harness Connectors
    G08578622Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  10. Remove the bolt and disconnect the engine harness connector bracket.
    Fig 5: Locating Engine Harness Connector Bracket Mounting Bolt
    G08579992Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  11. Disconnect the engine harness connector.
  12. Remove the service hole plug.
    Fig 6: Identifying Service Hole Plug
    G08578624Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  13. 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 7: Removing Torque Converter And Drive Plate Mounting Bolt
      G08578625Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  14. Make sure the torque converter moves freely by rotating with finger through the starter installation hole.
  15. Attach the ST to the converter case.

    ST 498277200 STOPPER SET

    Fig 8: Connecting Stopper Set To Converter Case
    G08578626Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  16. 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 9: Locating Cotter Pin, Tie-Rod End And Castle Nut
    G08578627Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  17. Lift up the vehicle.
  18. Remove the under cover.
  19. Remove the center exhaust pipe. Refer to REMOVAL .
  20. Remove the CVTF drain plug to drain CVTF. Refer to REPLACEMENT .
  21. Remove the center exhaust cover.
    Fig 10: Identifying Center Exhaust Cover
    G08578628Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  22. Remove the snap pin and washer from shifter arm and remove the select cable from shifter arm.
    Fig 11: Identifying Shifter Arm, Snap Pin, Select Cable And Washer
    G08578629Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  23. Remove the plate assembly from the transmission case.
    Fig 12: Locating Plate Assembly Mounting Bolt
    G08578630Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  24. Drain differential gear oil. Refer to REPLACEMENT .
  25. Remove the CVTF CVT inlet hose and CVTF CVT outlet hose.
    Fig 13: Identifying CVTF CVT Inlet And Outlet Hose
    G08578631Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  26. Remove the universal joint. Refer to REMOVAL .
  27. Remove the propeller shaft. Refer to REMOVAL .
  28. Remove the stabilizer link.
  29. Disconnect the lower arm ball joint and housing.
  30. Pull out the front drive shaft from transmission using a crowbar.
  31. Holding the joint of front drive shaft from transmission side, pull out the drive shaft from transmission with care not to stretch the boot.
  32. Lower the vehicle.
  33. Remove the nuts from left and right transmission mounting brackets.
    Fig 14: Locating Transmission Mounting Bracket Nut
    G08578632Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  34. Remove the radiator main fan and radiator sub fan. Refer to REMOVAL , and REMOVAL .
  35. 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 15: Engine Hanger Arms Setting Location
      G08578633Courtesy 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.