[Subaru Forever]

Folks: My 04 Outback 5MT, has a busted center diff. I basically need the entire assembly that attaches to the back of the trans. Can someone tell me which year Subs and models would have a center diff that fits the 04. Thanks.

 

[plain OM]

I can't say with any certainty, but would imagine any from a 2000-4 Outback or Legacy should do if the rest of the original transmission and front differential remain.

However, I might be reluctant to install a used center differential, particularly because the viscous coupling in the differential is probably the first thing to go bad. If the used one comes out of a car with high mileage, or perhaps had a problem which would not be verifiable before installation, you could be back to where you are now (http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/38541-viscous-coupling-center-diff.html).

Just to be clear -- do you need to replace the whole extension case and the internals, including the center differential, or or only the center differential? (Seen this thread? http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/39181-clunking-noise-when-turning.html)

 

[Subaru Forever]

Center diff busted

I need to replace the extension case and all internals. Everything is busted.

 

[plain OM]

Everything is busted.

Might I ask: What happened?

http://opposedforces.com/parts/ can be a useful site for researching compatibility. For example, I just did a quick look at Impreza and then Legacy (Outback) MT extension cases, and they're the same part number (32130AA171). Same could be done for the other parts needed. (Impreza and Forester would also be the same.) This could give you both model-to-model (Outback/Legacy/Forester/Impreza) and year-to-year (and even build-date) compatibility comparisons. Here's an example page: http://opposedforces.com/parts/lega...ion/mt_transfer_and_extension/illustration_2/

 

[Subaru Forever]

busted center diff

U joint failed at the front of the driveshaft. Starting flopping around and put pressure on the bearing which seized, the race, which turned in the housing, and then everything else spinning out of control.

 

[makeitwork]

Might I ask: What happened?

http://opposedforces.com/parts/ can be a useful site for researching compatibility. For example, I just did a quick look at Impreza and then Legacy (Outback) MT extension cases, and they're the same part number (32130AA171). Same could be done for the other parts needed. (Impreza and Forester would also be the same.) This could give you both model-to-model (Outback/Legacy/Forester/Impreza) and year-to-year (and even build-date) compatibility comparisons. Here's an example page: http://opposedforces.com/parts/lega...ion/mt_transfer_and_extension/illustration_2/

or you could just use this link for a part number (viscous coupler AKA 'Center Differential Assembly') to get exactly where and when it's used. Cool!
http://opposedforces.com/parts/info/38913AA100/ (original)
http://opposedforces.com/parts/info/38913AA101/ (next version, replacement, I believe)
http://opposedforces.com/parts/info/38913AA102/ (latest, but not in webpage so 404, yet?)

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

find a low miles used tranny?

 

[DavidPeab]

find a low miles used tranny?

If you go that route, which I recommend as well, be sure you get one with the same ratio as the rear dif.