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.
2020 Subaru Forester BaseFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Drive Pinion: Disassembly
- Flatten the tab of the lock nut.
- Using ST1, ST2 and ST3, fix at the spline portion of drive pinion to remove the lock nut.
Preparation tool:Β
ST1: ADAPTER (499787500)
ST2: WRENCH (499787700)
ST3: HOLDER (498937110)
- Remove the drive pinion.
- Using the round bar with diameter of 36 mm (1.42 in) or 37 mm (1.46 in) and a press, remove the taper roller bearing (rear) inner race and plug.
- Remove the drive pinion washer.
- Remove the drive pinion spacer.
- Remove the O-rings.
- Using the ST and a press, remove the taper roller bearing (front) inner race and the drive pinion shim.
Preparation tool:Β
ST: REMOVER (498515500)
- Using the ST, remove the taper roller bearing (front) outer race and the taper roller bearing (rear) outer race.
Preparation tool:Β
ST: PULLER ASSY (398527700)
- Remove the oil seal from the front side and the rear side.CAUTION: Do not damage the fitting surface of oil seal.
- Remove the plug from drive pinion retainer.
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
