2020 Subaru Forester BaseFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE

Front Differential: Removal

  1. Remove the transmission body. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY>REMOVAL .
  2. Remove the air breather hose. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>AIR BREATHER HOSE>REMOVAL .
  3. Remove the control valve body. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>CONTROL VALVE BODY>REMOVAL .
  4. Remove the transmission harness. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>TRANSMISSION HARNESS>REMOVAL .
  5. Remove the turbine speed sensor. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>TURBINE SPEED SENSOR>REMOVAL .
  6. Remove the secondary speed sensor. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>SECONDARY SPEED SENSOR>REMOVAL .
  7. Remove the primary speed sensor. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>PRIMARY SPEED SENSOR>REMOVAL .
  8. Remove the inhibitor switch. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>INHIBITOR SWITCH>REMOVAL .
  9. Remove the electric oil pump. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>ELECTRIC FLUID PUMP>REMOVAL .
  10. Remove the extension case. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>EXTENSION CASE>REMOVAL .
  11. Remove the transfer clutch. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>TRANSFER CLUTCH>REMOVAL .
  12. Remove the transfer driven gear. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>TRANSFER DRIVEN GEAR>REMOVAL .
  13. Remove the parking pawl. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>PARKING PAWL>REMOVAL .
  14. Remove the reduction driven gear. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>REDUCTION DRIVEN GEAR>REMOVAL .
  15. Remove the oil pan and oil strainer. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>OIL PAN>REMOVAL .
  16. Remove the transmission control device. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>TRANSMISSION CONTROL DEVICE>REMOVAL .
  17. Remove the transmission case. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>TRANSMISSION CASE>REMOVAL .
  18. Remove the reduction drive gear. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>REDUCTION DRIVE GEAR>REMOVAL .
  19. Remove the primary pulley, secondary pulley and variator chain. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>PRIMARY PULLEY AND SECONDARY PULLEY>REMOVAL .
  20. Remove the reverse brake. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>REVERSE BRAKE>REMOVAL .
  21. Remove the forward clutch. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>FORWARD CLUTCH>REMOVAL .
  22. Remove the drive pinion. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>DRIVE PINION>REMOVAL .
  23. Remove the oil baffle.
    G11255990Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  24. Remove the lock plate (A).
    G13226005Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  25. Remove the differential side retainers using the ST.
    NOTE:
    • When the wrench COMPL retainer interferes with the converter case, align the cutout portion with the interference part.
    • Support the differential case by hand while being careful not to damage the attachment section of the differential side retainer.
    • Keep the left and right differential side retainers and left and right side bearing outer races by attaching tags or in similar ways.

    Preparation tool: 

    ST: WRENCH COMPL RETAINER (18658AA021)

    G08318133Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  26. Remove the differential case while being careful not to damage the attachment section of the differential side retainer.
    G11255993Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  27. Remove the oil seals and O-rings from differential side retainer. Refer to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>FRONT DIFFERENTIAL>DISASSEMBLY>DIFFERENTIAL SIDE RETAINER .
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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