2021 Subaru Forester BaseFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE

Front Differential: Removal

  1. Remove the transmission body. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Transmission Assembly>REMOVAL .
  2. Remove the air breather hose. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Air Breather Hose>REMOVAL 
  3. Remove the control valve body. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Control Valve Body>REMOVAL 
  4. Remove the transmission harness. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Transmission Harness>REMOVAL .
  5. Remove the turbine speed sensor. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Turbine Speed Sensor>REMOVAL .
  6. Remove the secondary speed sensor. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Secondary Speed Sensor>REMOVAL .
  7. Remove the primary speed sensor. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Primary Speed Sensor>REMOVAL .
  8. Remove the inhibitor switch. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Inhibitor Switch>REMOVAL .
  9. Remove the electric oil pump. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Electric Fluid Pump>REMOVAL 
  10. Remove the extension case. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Extension Case>REMOVAL .
  11. Remove the transfer clutch. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Transfer Clutch>REMOVAL .
  12. Remove the transfer driven gear. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Transfer Driven Gear>REMOVAL .
  13. Remove the parking pawl. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Parking Pawl>REMOVAL .
  14. Remove the reduction driven gear. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Reduction Driven Gear>REMOVAL .
  15. Remove the oil pan and oil strainer. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Oil Pan>REMOVAL .
  16. Remove the transmission control device. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Transmission Control Device>REMOVAL .
  17. Remove the transmission case. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Transmission Case>REMOVAL .
  18. Remove the reduction drive gear. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Reduction Drive Gear>REMOVAL .
  19. Remove the primary pulley, secondary pulley and variator chain. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Primary Pulley and Secondary Pulley>REMOVAL .
  20. Remove the reverse brake. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Reverse Brake>REMOVAL .
  21. Remove the forward clutch. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Forward Clutch>REMOVAL .
  22. Remove the drive pinion. Ref. 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. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Front Differential>DISASSEMBLY>DIFFERENTIAL SIDE RETAINER .
Chapter Navigation
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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.