1997 SUBARU LEGACY differential

1. Rear Differential
Symptom and possible cause Remedy
1. Oil leakage


1Worn, scratched, or incorrectly seated front or side oil seal.
Scored, battered, or excessively worn sliding surface of com-
panion flange.Repair or replace.


2Clogged or damaged air breather. Clean, repair or replace.


3Loose bolts on differential spindle or side retainer, or incor-
rectly fitted O-ring.Tighten bolts to specified torque. Replace O-ring.


4Loose rear cover attaching bolts or damaged gasket. Tighten bolts to specified torque. Replace gasket and apply liquid
packing.


5Loose oil filler or drain plug. Retighten and apply liquid packing.


6Wear, damage or incorrectly fitting for spindle, side retainer
and oil seal.Repair or replace.
2. Seizure
Seized or damaged parts should be replaced, and also other parts should be thoroughly checked for any defect and should be
repaired or replaced as required.


1Insufficient backlash for hypoid gear. Readjust or replace.


2Excessive preload for side, rear, or front bearing. Readjust or replace.


3Insufficient or improper oil used. Replace seized part and fill with specified oil to specified level.
3. Damage
Damaged parts should be replaced, and also other parts should be thoroughly checked for any defect and should be repaired or
replaced as required.


1Improper backlash for hypoid gear. Replace.


2Insufficient or excessive preload for side, rear, or front bear-
ing.Readjust or replace.


3Excessive backlash for differential gear. Replace gear or thrust washer.


4Loose bolts and nuts such as crown gear bolt. Retighten.


5Damage due to overloading. Replace.
4. Noises when starting or shifting gears
Noises may be caused by differential assembly, universal joint, wheel bearing, etc. Find out what is actually making noise before dis-
assembly.


1Excessive backlash for hypoid gear. Readjust.


2Excessive backlash for differential gear. Replace gear or thrust washer.


3Insufficient preload for front or rear bearing. Readjust.


4Loose drive pinion nut. Tighten to specified torque.


5Loose bolts and nuts such as side bearing retainer attaching
bolt.Tighten to specified torque.
40
3-4DIAGNOSTICS
1. Rear Differential

Symptom and possible cause Remedy
5. Noises when cornering


1Damaged differential gear. Replace.


2Excessive wear or damage of thrust washer. Replace.


3Broken pinion mate shaft. Replace.


4Seized or damaged side bearing. Replace.
6. Gear noises
Since noises from engine, muffler, transmission, propeller shaft, wheel bearings, tires, and body are sometimes mistaken for noises
from differential assembly, be careful in checking them. Inspection methods to locate noises include coasting, accelerating, cruising,
and jacking-up all four wheels. Perform these inspections according to condition of trouble. When listening to noises, shift gears into
four wheel drive and fourth speed position, trying to pick up only differential noise.


1Improper tooth contact of hypoid gear. Readjust or replace hypoid gear set.


2Improper backlash for hypoid gear. Readjust.


3Scored or chipped teeth of hypoid gear. Replace hypoid gear set.


4Seized hypoid gear. Replace hypoid gear set.


5Improper preload for front or rear bearings. Readjust.


6Seized, scored, or chipped front or rear bearing. Replace.


7Seized, scored, or chipped side bearing. Replace.


8Vibrating differential carrier. Replace.
2. Propeller Shaft
Symptom and possible cause Remedy
1. Vibration of propeller shaft
Vibration is caused by propeller shaft during operation and is transferred to vehicle body. Generally vibration increase in proportion to
vehicle speed.


1Worn or damaged universal joint. Replace.


2Unbalanced propeller shaft due to bend or dent. Replace.


3Loose installation of propeller shaft. Retighten.


4Worn or damaged center bearing and damaged center mount-
ing rubber.Replace.
2. Tapping when starting and noise while cruising, caused by propeller shaft.


1Worn or damaged universal joint. Replace.


2Worn spline of sleeve yoke. Replace.


3Loose installation of propeller shaft. Retighten.


4Loose installation of joint. Replace.


5Worn or damaged center bearing and damaged center mount-
ing rubber.Replace.
NOTE:
Vibration while cruising may be caused by an unbalanced
tire, improper tire inflation pressure, improper wheel
alignment, etc.
41
3-4DIAGNOSTICS
1. Rear Differential - 2. Propeller Shaft

Symptom and possible cause Remedy
5. Noises when cornering


1Damaged differential gear. Replace.


2Excessive wear or damage of thrust washer. Replace.


3Broken pinion mate shaft. Replace.


4Seized or damaged side bearing. Replace.
6. Gear noises
Since noises from engine, muffler, transmission, propeller shaft, wheel bearings, tires, and body are sometimes mistaken for noises
from differential assembly, be careful in checking them. Inspection methods to locate noises include coasting, accelerating, cruising,
and jacking-up all four wheels. Perform these inspections according to condition of trouble. When listening to noises, shift gears into
four wheel drive and fourth speed position, trying to pick up only differential noise.


1Improper tooth contact of hypoid gear. Readjust or replace hypoid gear set.


2Improper backlash for hypoid gear. Readjust.


3Scored or chipped teeth of hypoid gear. Replace hypoid gear set.


4Seized hypoid gear. Replace hypoid gear set.


5Improper preload for front or rear bearings. Readjust.


6Seized, scored, or chipped front or rear bearing. Replace.


7Seized, scored, or chipped side bearing. Replace.


8Vibrating differential carrier. Replace.
2. Propeller Shaft
Symptom and possible cause Remedy
1. Vibration of propeller shaft
Vibration is caused by propeller shaft during operation and is transferred to vehicle body. Generally vibration increase in proportion to
vehicle speed.


1Worn or damaged universal joint. Replace.


2Unbalanced propeller shaft due to bend or dent. Replace.


3Loose installation of propeller shaft. Retighten.


4Worn or damaged center bearing and damaged center mount-
ing rubber.Replace.
2. Tapping when starting and noise while cruising, caused by propeller shaft.


1Worn or damaged universal joint. Replace.


2Worn spline of sleeve yoke. Replace.


3Loose installation of propeller shaft. Retighten.


4Loose installation of joint. Replace.


5Worn or damaged center bearing and damaged center mount-
ing rubber.Replace.
NOTE:
Vibration while cruising may be caused by an unbalanced
tire, improper tire inflation pressure, improper wheel
alignment, etc.
41
3-4DIAGNOSTICS
1. Rear Differential - 2. Propeller Shaft

G4M0529
1. FWD MODEL
1) Loosen wheel nuts. Lift-up vehicle and remove wheel.
2) Remove rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3) Remove stabilizer link from rear lateral link.
4) Scribe an aligning mark on adjusting bolt, adjusting
wheel and crossmember.
5) Remove bolts securing lateral links to housing.
6) Turn cap (lateral link) counterclockwise until it contacts
stopper, then remove cap.
7) While holding adjusting bolt’s head with a wrench,
loosen self-locking nut.
CAUTION:
Always loosen self-locking nut before turning adjust-
ing bolt.
8) Lateral link removal
(1) Left lateral links
Remove adjusting bolt and front and rear lateral links.
(2) Right lateral links
Support crossmember with transmission jack.
Remove bolts securing crossmember to vehicle body.
Lower transmission jack until adjusting bolt can be
removed. Remove adjusting bolt, front and rear lateral
links.
2. AWD MODEL
1) Loosen wheel nuts. Lift-up vehicle and remove wheel.
2) Remove stabilizers link from lateral link.
3) Remove A.B.S. sensor harness from trailing link.
(A.B.S. equipped models.)
B4M0573A
4) Remove bolt securing trailing link to housing.
5) Remove DOJ from differential.
6) Scribe an alignment mark on rear lateral link adjusting
bolt and crossmember.
7) Remove bolt securing lateral link to housing.
8) Remove bolts securing front and rear lateral links to
crossmember, detach lateral links.
CAUTION:
To loosen adjusting bolt, always loosen nut while hold-
ing the head of adjusting bolt.
35
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
8. Lateral Link

11. Rear Crossmember (AWD Model)
A: REMOVAL
B4M0572A
1Crossmember

2Floating bushing

3Adjusting bolt

4Stopper

5Stabilizer link

6Rear lateral link

7Front lateral link
8Washer

9Cap (Protection)

10Trailing link

11Self-locking nut

12Crossmember reinforcement
lower (Sedan model only)
Tightening torque: N⋅m (kg-m, ft-lb)
T1: 25±7 (2.5±0.7, 18.1±5.1)
T2: 44±6 (4.5±0.6, 32.5±4.3)
T3: 98±15 (10.0±1.5, 72±11)
T4: 113±15 (11.5±1.5, 83±11)
T5: 127±20 (13.0±2.0, 94±14)
T6: 137±20 (14.0±2.0, 101±14)
CAUTION:
Do not subject A.B.S. sensor harness to excessive ten-
sion. (A.B.S. equipped models.)
1) Separate front exhaust pipe and rear exhaust pipe.
2) Remove rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3) Remove crossmember reinforcement lower.
(Sedan model only)
4) Remove rear differential.
45
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
11. Rear Crossmember (AWD Model)

G4M0544
5) Place transmission jack under rear crossmember.
G4M0545
6) Remove bolts securing crossmember to vehicle body,
and remove crossmember.
7) Scribe an alignment mark on rear lateral link cam bolt
and crossmember.
8) Remove four bolts securing front and rear lateral links
to crossmember by loosening nuts.
B: INSPECTION
Check removed parts for damage and cracks, and correct
or replace if defective.
C: INSTALLATION
1) Install in reverse order of removal.
2) For installation and tightening torque of rear differential,
refer to 3-4 [W2F0].
CAUTION:
Always tighten rubber bushing when wheels are in full
contact with the ground and vehicle is at curb weight
condition.
NOTE:
Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
46
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
11. Rear Crossmember (AWD Model)

G4M0216
8) Remove front drive shaft assembly. If it is hard to
remove, use ST1 and ST2.
ST1 926470000 AXLE SHAFT PULLER
ST2 927140000 PLATE
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage oil seal lip when removing
front drive shaft.
When front drive shaft is to be replaced, also replace
inner oil seal.
2. REAR DRIVE SHAFT
1) Disconnect ground cable from battery.
2) Lift-up vehicle, and remove rear wheel cap and wheels.
CAUTION:
Be sure to loosen and retighten axle nut after remov-
ing wheel from vehicle. Failure to follow this rule may
damage wheel bearings.
3) Unlock axle nut.
4) Loosen axle nut using a socket wrench.
CAUTION:
Do not remove axle nut.
5) Remove A.B.S. sensor clamps and parking brake cable
bracket.
6) Remove bolts which secure lateral link assembly to rear
housing.
CAUTION:
Discard old self-locking nut. Replace with a new one.
7) Remove bolts which secure trailing link assembly to
rear housing.
CAUTION:
Discard old self-locking nut. Replace with a new one.
8) Remove crossmember reinforcement lower from cross-
member (4 door model only).
G4M0994
9) Remove DOJ from rear differential using ST.
ST 28099PA100 DRIVE SHAFT REMOVER
CAUTION:
Do not remove circlip attached to inside of differential.
29
4-2SERVICE PROCEDURE
4. Front and Rear Drive Shafts

5) Connect transverse link to housing.
Tightening torque (self-locking nut):
49±10 N⋅m (5.0±1.0 kg-m, 36±7 ft-lb)
CAUTION:
Use a new self-locking nut.
6) Install stabilizer bracket.
7) While depressing brake pedal, tighten axle nut to the
specified torque.
Tightening torque:
186±20 N⋅m (19±2 kg-m, 137±14 ft-lb)
CAUTION:
Use a new axle nut.
Always tighten axle nut before installing wheel on
vehicle. If wheel is installed and comes in contact with
ground when axle nut is loose, wheel bearings may be
damaged.
Be sure to tighten axle nut to specified torque. Do
not overtighten it as this may damage wheel bearing.
8) After tightening axle nut, lock it securely.
G4M0293
2. REAR DRIVE SHAFT
1) Insert BJ into rear housing splines.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage inner oil seal lip.
2) Using ST1 and ST2, pull drive shaft into place.
ST1 922431000 AXLE SHAFT INSTALLER
ST2 927390000 ADAPTER
CAUTION:
Do not hammer drive shaft when installing it.
3) Tighten axle nut temporarily.
B4M0549A
4) Using ST, install DOJ into differential.
ST 28099PA090 SIDE OIL SEAL PROTECTOR
B4M0550A
5) Insert DOJ spline end into bore of side oil seal, and
remove ST.
CAUTION:
Do not allow DOJ splines to damage side oil seal.
ST 28099PA090 SIDE OIL SEAL PROTECTOR
44
4-2SERVICE PROCEDURE
4. Front and Rear Drive Shafts