How to Change Front and Rear Differential Gear Oil on a 2019+ Subaru Forester

[@kevronrulz]

solid tutorial. my dealership wanted to charge $350.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@kevronrulz thanks! Yeah this is one of the easier things to do. Glad I could help you save 💰👍🏾

[@cztech2631]

Very informative video. This is the same procedure on a 2014-2018 Subaru Forester. I'm going to attempt this on my 2016 Forester and the hammer idea is definitely something I am going to do. I did a quick plug check to see if it the 8mm was seating correctly and it felt like it would strip if I attempted to hit it with my breaker bar. I am definitely going to use your hammer tap advice when I go ahead and do my front differential. Thank you for the video it definitely is helping people who are like me and trying to DIY this fluid drain and refill

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@cztech2631 thanks! Yeah you definitely want to be careful and avoid stripping the bolts. That will be a nightmare. But, don’t stress it, this is one of the easier jobs to do that I don’t mind. lol You’ll be fine!👍🏾

[@junzamo]

Thank for the video I will be changing my Subaru fluid on trans and diff this coming winter

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@junzamo you’re welcome! I did the cvt vid but just haven’t edited to post. So hopefully I can get it done e soon.👍🏾

[@robertrobbins1367]

My wife has a 2020 sport. Just looking up the info for this, glad I found your video. Well does, and to the point. THANKS for the content

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Glad I could help. Thanks!

[@Th3Think3r]

I can confirm the tightening torque for rear diff drain _and_ fill plug you mentioned is correct - 50 N·m (5.1kgf-m, 36.9ft-lb). The fill and overflow on the front differential are also 50 N·m (5.1kgf-m, 36.9ft-lb). The only torque spec which varies is the rear differential drain plug (TORX T70) which is 70 N·m (7.1kgf-m, 51.6ft-lb).

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@Th3Think3r thanks for that info!👍🏾

[@typ87]

Did you mean the front differential drain plug (the torx T70)? You said rear diff drain plug twice.

[@kaosaechao3602]

Been following your channel since your first pick up your subie, how many mile have you driven so far?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@kaosaechao3602 thanks, I appreciate you! I’m currently at about 115k miles

[@Outdoor_MED]

This is great man, thank you! Can you do a spark plug change too?

[@eddieo3513]

Just to confirm the differential fill its on the passenger side or right side of the vehicle. Thanks

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@eddieo3513 not sure where you are from but here the right side is the passenger side, and yes the right side. The CVT fill is also on the right side, unlike prior years, it’s on the left side.

[@lintels123]

Im at 107k, i gotta get this done asap. Been laggin as well. Have you had your CVT fluid changed yet? Ive heard that 120k is recommend.

[@jerisa2k]

did u replace your washer for both drain and fill or you used the old ones?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@jerisa2k I did not replace any washers. I attempted to remove what looked to be the washers, and they would not move. Same with when I did my cvt and haven’t had any issues.

[@dencioz55555]

Did you change already your CVT oil? I was looking for the video if you did but can’t find it. I really love your tutorial. Thanks Also did you remove the cover under the engine and transmission? And just to let you know the TCV on my Forester was replaced last month because of the defective design and luckily free of charge but I’m not very happy about this. Hopefully our car will last years before it will finally be replace and definitely not a Subaru anymore.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@dencioz55555 I did change the cvt but involved more editing. Then I’ve been having electrical issues where my desktop is setup, so had to wait for that to get fixed. I’ll be getting up soon hopefully.🤞🏾 Was is the TCV OR PCV? I’ve had the PCV replaced already thru a recall.

[@dencioz55555]

@@Lucrativesoldier it was the TCV that was replaced. Hopefully yours is not acting up yet. We have the same model, color, year etc.. but be aware that it will show the symptoms anytime soon coz it happened to me and ours has 35k miles only.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@dencioz55555 thanks for clarifying. I will definitely have to check on it. What are the symptoms?

[@dencioz55555]

@@Lucrativesoldierthe check engine comes on, eyesight, check manual, the i the A shows up in your screen and thats the time you need to bring it to the dealership and tell them about the recall. It’s free when they’re done replacing it but really not happy about this problem. The only consolation is the warranty 150k miles or 15 yrs for the TCV which ever comes first. Good luck with your Forester.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@dencioz55555 thankfully I haven’t had any of those issues. But good to know, and will look out for. Thanks!

[@TheQmoney60]

At which mileage would you recommend this maintenance? I have two foresters one at 45k and the other at 65k I haven’t done this maintenance yet.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@TheQmoney60 so it’s really up to you. Subaru suggest inspecting it at every 30k miles. I honestly never inspected it. I just finally decided to replace it at this point. Hope that helps.

[@trekcrossca1587]

So theres 2 drain plugs in the front?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@trekcrossca1587 1 drain plug, the other is the overflow plug when filling the gear oil til it starts overflowing out of the overflow plug. Hope that helps

[@ryanrivers1259]

Thanks for the info. I have a 2020 Forester sport and have thought about the rear differential lately. I see in your intro you really put the Forester to the test. How's everything been? Any problems with engine or drivetrain?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@ryanrivers1259 Thanks! Yeah this is a real easy job, so no reason not to do it. I’ve put my forester thru a lot and it has been good to me. The worst I’ve had was my cvt overheated during a serious off-road climb. At some points I had to use my winch. At others my exhaust got dinged up underneath. After letting it cool for about an hour, I was able to get going again. That’s the only time I got worried.😂 other than that the engine and drivetrain has been good. And I honestly run it pretty hard.

[@ryanrivers1259]

@@Lucrativesoldier That's awesome to hear. I've had no issues either. I'm at about 81,000 and super impressed. That's reassuring. I live in Minnesota and have had fun on some gravel roads, to the point of hoping I didn't do too much. If you figure out how to take the traction control completely off, please reach out 😂😂

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@ryanrivers1259 yes I think I would just like more clearance, because the guys with me in their Toyotas had 0 issues with clearance or the climb. I did some off-road drifting on our dirt roads out here. But just pushing the traction control button, and manual mode allowed me to throw the rear end around.

[@ryanrivers1259]

@@Lucrativesoldier someday I'll figure it out.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@ryanrivers1259 lol let me know when you do.😂👍🏾

[@pilotdog68]

How many miles does your Forester have?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@pilotdog68 I was just over 100k when I finally did it. I never had issues, but looking at the old gear oil, I wish I would have done it sooner.

[@thebigbrainbuilder111]

Any crush washers?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@thebigbrainbuilder111 negative