Rear Differential: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2001 Subaru Forester. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Disconnect ground terminal from battery.
Move select lever or gear shift lever to "N".
Release the parking brake.
Loosen wheel nuts.
Jack-up vehicle and support it with sturdy racks.
Remove wheels.
Remove rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
Remove front exhaust cover.

Fig 1: Removing Front Exhaust Cover
Remove front cover of rear differential mount.

Fig 2: Removing Front Cover Of Rear Differential Mount
Remove propeller shaft.
CAUTION: When removing propeller shaft, pay attention not to damage the sliding surfaces of rear drive shaft (extension) spline, oil seal and sleeve yoke.
NOTE:
- Prepare an oil can and cap since the transmission oil flows out from the extension at removing propeller shaft.
- Insert the cap into the extension to prevent transmission oil from flowing out immediately after removing the propeller shaft.
  
  Fig 3: Removing Propeller Shaft
Remove heat sealed cover.

Fig 4: Removing Heat Sealed Cover
Remove clamps and bracket of parking brake cable.

Fig 5: Removing Clamps & Bracket Of Parking Brake Cable
Remove DOJ of rear drive shaft from rear differential using ST. See PROPELLER SHAFT .
ST 28099PA100 DRIVE SHAFT REMOVER

Fig 6: Removing Rear Drive Shaft From Rear Differential
Secure rear drive shaft to rear crossmember using wire.

Fig 7: Securing Rear Drive Shaft
Remove lower differential bracket. (If rear differential protector is not equipped.)

Fig 8: Removing Lower Differential Bracket
Support rear differential with transmission jack.

Fig 9: Support Rear Differential
Remove self-locking nuts connecting rear differential to rear crossmember.

Fig 10: Identifying Self-Locking Nuts At Rear Crossmember
Remove bolts which secure rear differential front member to body.
1. Loosen bolt A first, then remove bolts B.
  NOTE: Support front member with the use of a helper to prevent it from dropping.
2. Remove bolt A.
Fig 11: Identifying Bolts Which Secure Rear Differential Front Member To Body
While slowly lowering transmission jack, move rear differential forward and remove front member and rear differential from body.
NOTE: If rear differential protector is equipped, remove front member, rear differential and rear differential protector as a unit from body.

Fig 12: Removing Front Member & Rear Differential From Body
Remove rear differential protector. (If rear differential protector is equipped.)
Remove lower differential bracket. (If rear differential protector is equipped.)
Remove rear differential from front member.

Fig 13: Removing Rear Differential From Front Member