As soon as a heard your drink of choice for working on a Subaru was Arizona tea I knew you were in the PNW. Relocated from WA to NC a year ago, I think I’ll grab myself a green tea before getting started replacing my own. Thanks for the helpful video!

I thank you for this video. It helped me to work on my 2011 Outback 6MT center diff. I opened the center diff and simply removed the viscous coupling disks. The car now works fine. Points to note are: No need to remove the gear linkage, the linkage does not come through the front casing on a 6 speed. I needed a slide hammer to pull the center diff cover off. It's tricky to reassemble. If the center diff is pushed all the way in first, the output shaft bearing cannot pass it. They all have to be slid in together. Hope this comment helps someone with a 6 speed MT. If your car 'hops' when warm when making sharp turns, the silicone inside your viscous coupler is screwed. Unless you're going off-roading, simply remove the viscous coupler disks and reassemble.

So glad I found your page. I have a gen 1 legacy turbo that's completely stock and have been looking to do upgrades. These videos have been helping alot!

Great video I’m gonna attempt it this weekend! Thanks!

Nice video! Quick and to the point. I'm about to replace center diff #2. :) First one the snapring failed and munched the transfer gears.

Awesome. Takes a lot of courage to do this. Thanks for sharing.

So happy to finally have this car fixed!

Thank you for this very useful post, it really helped us change the center differential in our Subaru. My daughters and I tackled this job recently in 110 degree heat, we cheated a bit as we had a two post lift though and didn't bother with crawling around on the ground. However, we did find that whether lying on your back on the ground or standing under your car, holding your arms/hands above your head is still very tiring. The only plus to being on your back is when you drop a tool, is it always just lying right next to you. We did have trouble draining the transmission oil because Subaru put a T60 torx to remove the drain plug, why they couldn't just use a 3/8 or 1/2 drive square is beyond me. The entire job took us about 4 non-rush leisurely hours, an inordinate amount of time was spent locating and unplugging all the O2 sensor plugs. We had to weld an exhaust manifold bracket back together as we discovered it had broken off. As we previously had removed this engine for a clutch job, all of the exhaust bolts had never-cease on them and were easily removed. Four tips that might help the next person are: choose a day that is not over a 100 degrees, to re-drive the pins holding the transmission shift lever I set it in the tip of a 3/8 extension to reach, when separating the transmission I drove the locator pins out with a punch from the aluminum case which separated very easily and then I put them back in before reassembly, use a little bit of liquid dish soap on the metal bayonet before trying to slide it into the rubber exhaust mounts.

One incredibly useful tip for separating the usually fused together rear housing; use the hooked end of a crowbar and bang against the shifter stay rod mount (the horizontal shaft if it isn't obvious), pulling the diff from a parts car was a pain in the arse and my one was straight stuck and hammering did nothing, banged on it a few times using this method and it promptly cracked free, drained the remainder of the oil, then 3 hits later it came right off.

that roll pin in the shifter bushing took me two days to get out. the pin was seized and had to be drilled (and I ran out of good bits so i had to get more), the bushing was then seized to the shaft from the transmission, so we used a dremel with an extension to grind it off with a wheel. It was horrible but of course yours just pops out! haha

If you forget that race would it make a clunking noise? I just rwd swapped mine and welded the center diff, was running fine. Did some burnouts broke my output shaft and I think I forgot that race.

Hi do you know if a 2005 sti 6MT center differential will work for a 2006 sti 6MT? I understand the 2006 is expensive so im wondering if an 05 sti 6MT dccd will work for the 06 sti 6MT dccd model?

Great video guys. Was just wondering if you could just replace the bearing and reuse the old diff as it’s on the pricey side. I have a 2003 5spd outback and pretty sure I have a bad middle diff bearing as it makes such a bad noise. Might be more but I’ll see when I get it apart. Thanks again for the video.

Thanks a lot, great video

Well done guys, I have a six speed Legacy GT I want to change the center diff on, do you guys have any idea of the torque specs on the transfer case, shift linkage and drive shaft?

What were the symptoms of the car with a bad center diff?

Hack Squad, My car does the clunking when turning after the car is warm and thanks to your video I am currently purchasing the parts to do this job. Only thing is that the car recently started a whirring sound after about 20 minutes on the freeway too. Did your car have that sound also? I am hoping these two symptoms are coming from the same problem. Any advice is appreciated.

Great video! How long did this take you? I may be doing this very soon.

Great Video

I’m in the middle of doing this and have a dumb question here: what else is holding the transmission besides that crossmember? Is it important to have a jack under it before removing the cross member? Or are the bolts into the block enough to support it?

Hey there, great video! I have the same problem in a 2010 gen 5 manual. Do you know if the job is the same? I looked at the casing and it looks very similar. Thanks for the help!

Good video on this, thanks. But I'm getting some mixed signals here. So a Subie master tech told you to use a gasket on that? I recently talked to a Subie parts guy and he said absolutely no gasket because of clearance tolerance, and that they didn't even have a gasket listed for that application. He said Fuji Bond is recommended, or else Yama Bond or Honda Bond. But there are different ones. Local Honda bike dealer only has the 4, and I believe I need the HT. I've also read that 3m ultra pro 08672 can be used. As long as it's a anaerobic sealant. Any feedback on this? I need to do mine soon. And I'm NOT paying $70 for a tube of Fuji Bond.

Great video. Nice visuals. I think Ill drain the transmission first though...

Iv got a 99 impreza outback sport 2.2l 5speed that had the center differential implode.... diff shaft and insides fell out after pulling off the diff cover but i believe the outside casing of the differential is stuck, cant get it too slide out.....could anyone tell me what years and models of subarus that are "phase ll" with a 3.9 FD ratio and have a compatible center diff i could use? i pulled one off of a 97 Legacy L wagon 2.2l at the junkyard just to find out that i cant use it unless i go back and yank the rear end out as well...

Couple of absolute legends, fixing mum's car still wearing the wristband from the festival, drinking tea from a can! Nice boys! What did you think of our Holden SS over that side of the ocean?

Here's the part # for that transfer case extension gasket: 33179AA030 parts.subaru.com is goofy. They put the above as fits a 2001 Forester manual transmission, but not a 2002 Forester manual transmission. So, I took a chance (since they're the same transmission!) and bought it, and sure enough, it fits perfectly (as expected). Thanks again for your video, it was very helpful! The hardest part (by far) was pounding out and in those 2 embedded pins in the shifter linkage. Ugh... Why couldn't they have just use a bolt there?

Is this a 5speed manual or automatic. Thanks

How do you remove the bearing race that's stuck in the transmission? The race that goes around that little bearing on the shaft

I have been having a similar problem with my Impreza binding at low speed turns after warmup, CVs look fine so I think it has to be the diff. After watching a ton of videos I feel confident to do this job myself but I’m relatively new to repairs (have done brakes, suspension, but not much else). How difficult would you rank this one? Never worked on the undercarriage before. I have all the tools and I can take as much time as I need as I don’t rely solely on my car to get around, so if it takes a few days it’s not a big deal.

I suspect my center diff in my Legacy Gt is on its way out. There is a bearing noise that seems to happen now in all forward gears under acceleration and decel. I'm crossing my fingers that the noise isn't coming from the transmission. I haven't experienced any of the more dramatic symptoms you described. I was wondering why you chose to replace the entire diff and didn't just replace the bearing. Was there wear to the metal where the bearing rides?

I have a 2004 Impreza 5-speed manual with 156,000 miles. I started getting random clicking that I can feel in the stick shift handle. It does it cold and warm. I bought the car recently and didnt check the manual transmission oil beause I wasn't aware I could. It was 1.75 quarts low. It holds 3.75 quarts so it had 2 qts in the oil pan. But the oil is super black, like 10,000 mile diesel motor oil and smells a little burnt perhaps. Refilling to Full made the clicking much better, but it didn't go away completely. Manual clutch oil was and is full and clean. Do you think I've toasted the transmission? What should I do? Flush the tranny oil a few times? Use any additives? Thanks!

Hi im front Boston Massachusetts What problem did the car present before changing it to a new one

I'm a bit late to the party, but how did you diagnose that it was the center diff issue and not a complete transmission? My car is having some crazy noise from somewhere and I don't want to spend more than I need!

Where did you get the NA UEL headers from? and how much?

Part number for the paper gasket ? I'm not seeing it on the parts catalog online.

my 2005 legacy 5 speed was in a wreck, and the front driver wheel was hit and stopped and skidded and the other 3 kept turning to get the car off the road, i have the car on stands and i tried putting it in gear to see if all the wheels turn, the rear wheels both turn fine and the driver side cv boot turns (axle is disconnected) but the front passenger side (not damaged side) doesnt get any power. i went through all the gears, theres no grinding or anything, and the passenger wheel turns freely, but it doesnt get power from the engine. any ideas whats wrong?

Does your moms car have an UEL header on it?! How awesome! Great video btw thank you

I was wondering where I could get a new center differential at?

if it’s a 4-speed electronic automatic transmission, do you have to pull the whole transmission?

Was there any trick to how you got it out I'm currently doing this on my 2002 WRX and it is being stubborn the different self won't slide out Any help is appreciated

Hey it’s been a while since this video was posted but I have a question. Are the parts mentioned in the video the same parts for a 2002 WRX 5 speed transmission and center diff? Edit: just read through the other comments and found my answer to this question. Another question, what symptoms were you experiencing with the bad diff? My 2002 WRX wagon jolts really bad during SLOW speed turns and also during light and hard acceleration through all gears and I was wondering if this car was going through the same thing.

Did you guys not need to replace the other bearings in the transfer case?

My 03 wrx just started making this horrible clunky noise when turning, after warm up. :( replace drive shaft and Axle thinking that this would solve my problem unfortunately no. sounds like this could be my problem. Great fix Video :)

How much and where did you get the paper gasket for the transmission? I can only find auto transmission gaskets for some reason. Fixing my center diff on my 99 Legacy Brighton with a 5 speed as we speak!

Want to do this on a 2010 Legacy GT, to your expertise, is there going to be a major difference? 2.5L turbo six speed

I may have to replace the center diff on my 03 WRX. Above 25 mph it makes a whining noise that increases in volume and frequency with speed. The sound is unrelated to engine speed, clutch in/out, gear or neutral, and accel/decel. I ran my car on a lift and the sound is definitely coming from the transmission area. Most people with bad center diffs on the forums and KZfaq have also experienced binding in sharp turns, however, I have not. Does this sound like a bad center diff, bad bearing(s), or something else? Great video btw.

Would you recommend supporting the transmission with a floor jack?

Do you know if a bad center differential will make noise while in neutral and not moving ?

Do you need a press to replace those bearings on the shaft?

Is there any lock for front & center diff ?

Is this the same as an 08 Impreza outback sport 5speed

Thank you so much guys! Please don't sell this car. 3rd Gen Legacy owners need all the help we can get. I feel like I have to visit Japan or Vancouver just to meet someone who knows about BH5s. Peace fellas from San Diego.

My problem on mine is on deceleration while driving dont hear anythin soon as i decel i hear like a rattling noise... shifts smooth no problems turning no noise also 5spd manual.. im sure its trans but no sure wat... anything wud help

What’s the part number for that center diff? I can’t find it lol

Are you able to rotate the VC gears by hand on a good unit? Not sure how to tell if a junkyard unit is good or not.

Was the car making a really loud popping noise at low speeds (15mph) and when turning by any chance? Cause I'm thinking this could be what my current problem is with my car

Great vid! Was you getting a whining noise as you drive whilst in gear and coasting in neutral? Thanks

is this the same for a 5speed 04 forester SOHC?

Did you find the torque spec for those case bolts?

Are the 5speed center diffs the same between 1st and 2nd gen Legacys?

all subaru outback and legacy the transmission extension housing is the same right ?

To the point 👍🏾

What are the signs to look for for a bad center differential??

Would this work wi 05 wrx turbo ?

What's the part number for the gasket? I can't find it anywhere

What happens if all my bolts and stuff are rusted? I should probably just throw it away, the whole car... UUHHHG!!! I know my life will suck if I attempt it anyway, but I really have no other choice. The diff needs replaced. Really appreciate the video guys.

Why didn't you do the center diff the first time, instead of the whole transmission ?

how many liters of oil?

Did the car have vibrations around 30mph and up?

Your right don't get oil on the gasket mine did and leaked 😕

i need this done... do u think 1300$ is a decent price?

Any one one that works on Subaru I sub love these cars

I would use additional jackstands for additional safety... that car is heavy.

Nice backwoods lol

515$ WTF. I got mine from NSK that is literally identical to the subaru one for under 30 dollars

Jesus fuck. I bought a uses transmission for $150 and it kicks ass. $500?! To fix a transmission that you already swapped on to it.... FUCK ....i know this was years ago, but FUCK!!!

The worst cars and the worst company you have to deal with !!!!! LIARS , CROOKS ......