Front Differential Assembly: Adjustment

Using ST, screw in the retainer until light contact is felt.
NOTE: Screw in the RH side slightly deeper than the LH side.

ST 499787000 WRENCH ASSY

Fig 1: Identifying Wrench Assy ST 499787000
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the oil pump housing.
Thoroughly remove the liquid gasket from the case mating surface beforehand.
Install the oil pump housing assembly to the converter case, and secure evenly by tightening four bolts.
NOTE: Use an old gasket or an aluminum washer so as not to damage the mating surface of the housing.

Tightening torque:

41 N.m (4.2 kgf-m, 30 ft-lb)

Fig 2: Installing Oil Pump Housing Assembly To Converter Case
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Rotate the drive pinion several times with ST1 and ST2.
ST1 498937110 HOLDER

ST2 499787700 WRENCH

Fig 3: Rotating Drive Pinion Using Special Tools
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Tighten the LH retainer until contact is felt while rotating the shaft. Then loosen the RH retainer. Keep tightening the LH retainer and loosening the RH retainer until the pinion shaft can no longer be turned. This is the "zero" state.

Fig 4: Tightening LH Retainer
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
After the "zero" state is established, back off the LH retainer 3 notches and secure it with the lock plate. Then back off the RH retainer and retighten until it stops. Rotate drive pinion a few times. Tighten the RH retainer 1-3/4 notches further. This sets the preload. Finally, secure the retainer with its lock plate.

Fig 5: Securing Retainer With Lock Plate
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Turning the retainer by one tooth changes the backlash about 0.05 mm (0.0020 in).

Fig 6: Turning Retainer
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Turn the drive pinion several rotations with ST1 and check to see if the backlash is within the standard value with ST2, ST3, ST4 and ST5.
ST1 499787700 WRENCH

ST2 498247001 MAGNET BASE

ST3 498247100 DIAL GAUGE

ST4 499787500 ADAPTER

ST5 498255400 PLATE

Backlash:

0.13 - 0.18 mm (0.0051 - 0.0071 in)

Fig 7: Checking Backlash Using Special Tools
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Adjust the tooth contact between front differential and drive shaft. < Ref. to ADJUSTMENT , Drive Pinion Shaft Assembly. >