How to install a TORQ Locker in 5-bolt Subaru differentials

Tips, tricks, and installation tutorial for putting a TORQ locker in your 5-bolt Subaru differential. This video is intended to show you our process and lessons learned from installing autolockers in our 2011 Subaru WRX and 1998 Subaru Forester (aka Off-road Granny).
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Contents
1:07 Diff/Carrier/Stuff removal
4:53 Disassembling the differential carrier
6:44 Locker installation
9:25 Differential reassembly
15:04 Checklist
16:07 Diff/Carrier/Stuff installation
Useful stuff
Official install guide - www.torqmasters.com/sites/def...
Where to buy/info/questions - www.torqmasters.com/torq_lock...
Tools
o 3/8” and 1/2” ratchet
o 3/8” and 1/2” torque wrenches
o 12mm box wrench
o 14mm box wrench
o 17mm box wrench
o 12mm socket
o 14mm socket
o 17mm socket
o Dead blow hammer
o Punch for cross shaft roll pin removal
o Pry bar
o Slip-joint and needle nose Pliers
o Small flat blade screwdriver
Recommended:
 Transmission jack to help remove and install the carrier.
 1/2" impact gun
Channel shop - poyboffroad.redbubble.com/
Discord server - / discord
/ powerofyourbrains
/ powerofyourbrains
/ powerofyourbrains
/ poyboffroad
Check out these playlists
MODS - • Mod videos for people ...
ADVENTURES - • All things Off-Road
TORQ locker videos
Unboxing - • Subaru R160 TORQ Locke...
How it works - • Subaru R160 Autolocker...
Off-road before/after - • SUBARU TORQ LOCKER Off...
On-road + gravel - • Subaru Torq Locker ON-...
TORQ LOCKER vs X-MODE - • TORQ LOCKER vs X-MODE
Featuring sounds from "Far Apart" and "New Touch" by Airglow
airglow-strat.bandcamp.com/al...
#torqlocker #Install

[@TorqMastersIndustries]

FYI - TORQ Lockers for the 5-Bolt now come with new axle circlips installed into the Locker Cam gears - to save you a few frustrating steps!

[@powerofyourbrains]

Excellent idea! Thank you on behalf of everyone who will never have to deal with those annoying circlips.

[@dillonsorensen2427]

Will the 1 bolt locker work for 2022 forester wilderness? Also curious about the manual fwd to full lock switch in your guys product description, how can someone do this set up? Thanks!

[@judiclements2309]

Watching this makes me proud to be a professional mechanic. A ring gear? Seriously.

[@bruceyyyyy]

"But we forgot so we're doing it now." Spoken like true professionals!

[@powerofyourbrains]

We take things in stride, son

[@76mkdubbn]

I noticed a couple things,1No lock tight on the ring gear,also punch mark the carrier bearing covers.Then check the pinion seating.But every video I have watched so far put the shims back in original location and every one seated perfect.At the end of the good video.Keep up the good work.

[@lukelloyd2944]

Definitely need to get it for my Subaru Forester 2017 I’m in Australia it will make a massive difference great video

[@DANIEL-ls5ku]

Let us know how you go mate, very interested to do the same 👍🏼

[@head0927]

Here is a good idea someone pick up these things from the junkyard, throw these lockers in them for us and sell them for like $1200 bucks to us ppl that don’t have the time to do this job ourselves. 👍🏽 Anyone.....????? No??? Lol

[@GeoRS7]

Hello nice videos. I have a Forester SH 2.0 2009, with high/low knob and open differential back. A torque locker or a torsen LSD, will work-function better in off road (dirt, sand, rock)(snow, mud). But pavement in highways and twist roads are the daily menu.

[@chriskelvin248]

Very informative walk-thru, thx for this! I want your thoughts on my ‘15 Crosstrek Premium w/ CVT. Torq Locker + skid plates + homemade center diff lock mod + tires = reasonable recipe for off-roading?

[@Mike_44]

17:57 roller coaster time X ) haha! Is there a way to mitigate the clicking? I know there isn't but it almost sound like there's something broken in there..

[@smileynirvana2]

ok so i made a mistake and wanted everyone here to know what i did wrong and how to fix it. i used a cheap harbor freight punch that bent and got stuck in the pin hole i tried pulling it out with pliers, a vice ended up pulling the handle off the punch. so after a while of drinking beer BING got an idea "thank you beer" i have a pneumatic rivet gun. i cut the punch to the right size and popped it right out. hope that helps at least one person.

[@benson098123]

has any one put some miles on one of these yet? wondering what long term reliability will be like

[@miket8333]

Interested to know how these hold up. I've had the same style in a full size pickup before and it was fine on day 1 but after about a year it started to get VERY loud and harsh on the pavement.

[@RobHTech]

What about the '22 WRX? It uses the same diff as prior models. I don't see any gear for the '22.

[@smileynirvana2]

maybe its because my locker is newer than the one you guys have, but it came with new axle circlips already installed.

[@powerofyourbrains]

Yep, they do now, thanks in part to our complaining via email

[@smileynirvana2]

@@powerofyourbrains well then thank you very much :)

[@serbancostandache9019]

How is it working on higher speeds, like let's say 100 MPH? Does it affect the ride?

[@powerofyourbrains]

Good questions. Haven't gone quite that fast, but the biggest thing you might notice is that the car tracks a little more strait unless you're in coasting in neutral. At high speeds, energy from differences in wheel speeds is more likely to be released by the tires instead of ratcheting the locker. In high speed turns, this would equate to oversteer that is only really perceptible on loose surfaces such as gravel. Ride quality is the same.

[@nephilimninjaofnibiru2907]

@@powerofyourbrains Have you gone fast with it yet?

[@vihreelinja4743]

@@powerofyourbrains soo. Have you gone to the highway allready and maybe done some evasive maneuvers too???

[@raymondjohnson8522]

what year Subaru Forster would u buy if u were just starting out

[@jasonchall3766]

Not a 98

[@chrisdidick8225]

@@jasonchall3766 why not?

[@powerofyourbrains]

SF1 gen foresters (89-99...I think) have the ej25d engine that makes less power and gave ej motors the whole head gasket reputation. Perfectly fine if maintained properly, but you still have limited drivetrain compatability with later model years.

[@jasonchall3766]

@@chrisdidick8225 98 had the EJ25D and phase 1 4EAT, so worse engine (less reliable, worse failure modes, and harder to service), along with a trans that can't be VTD swapped.

[@LarryRichelli]

Are all newer subarus 2020 5 bolt dif?

[@powerofyourbrains]

They're probably still both depending on the model. Peek under the car. If there are 5 bolts on either side of the diff where the axles plug in then it's a 5 bolt, it there are none then it's a one bolt.

[@trackskid]

Glad I’m in central PA...any closer and this shit may rub off 😳

[@powerofyourbrains]

wut

[@trackskid]

Power of your brains seems like if i lived closer our ‘08 outback would end up costing me lots to do all this that yinz make stock Subaru seem lacking

[@powerofyourbrains]

@@trackskid Don't you have some pretty decent mountains/trails in central PA though?

[@trackskid]

Power of your brains we have tons...no one drives off-road around here so I’m safe from being sucked in

[@powerofyourbrains]

@@trackskid Ah, okay. I see what you mean. However, we usually don't ride recreational trails; they're mining trails; some new, some old. Most are undocumented and sketchy enough to keep the recreational crowd away. More often than not we're the only ones out there, and that's a lot of the fun for us...exploring the great, muddy unknown.

[@johnsontrucks8806]

When you accidentally put the cutting lube in the locker and now your wondering why it’s taking 15min to drill this hole in the flat bar

[@trinydex]

how does the locking rear compare to a clutch type rear diff? if a Forester has a lockable center diff, what's the difference in crawling capability between locking and clutch type?

[@dirttales]

I have a VLSD on my forester with approx 160k and it is completely useless imo. The locker does not slip once engaged the rear wheel will turn in unison.

[@trinydex]

@@dirttales yeah, I'm wondering if a nicer aftermarket clutch type, while not turning in total unison, would be good enough for most applications. an air locker seems like a lot of work, is the juice worth the squeeze?

[@dirttales]

@@trinydex first of all these are not air lockers. They are auto lockers aka mechanical lockers and they're are about as much work as installing an aftermarket lsd. Cusco and a few others make after market lsd, they cost over a grand, and do not fair well after 30k or so. Torq locker is under 500$ and from what I can see the best mod for an off road subaru.

[@battlesship]

How has the locker held up?

[@powerofyourbrains]

Flawlessly :)

[@battlesship]

@@powerofyourbrains I daily drive my SH and use it on the weekends to run around the trails, looks like I’ll be putting one in. Thanks for all the great videos!

[@vihreelinja4743]

Nice. You brushed all the dirt from bolt holes to youre bearings

[@torreVs]

Now it would be perfect to do a moose test in an open space, closed road, at low speed, starting at no more than 20 mph, and see what happens. www.car-engineer.com/the-moose-test-or-vda-test/

[@vihreelinja4743]

Yes i am interested in this also as i drive on tarmac and icy roads with some offroading sometimes.