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Replacing Defferential Oil info please? How, when and what gear lube/oil did you use?

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#61 ·
The vent tube on the regular Crosstrek DOESN'T have any clamps on the hose. At the top of the hose it has an upside down like curver so water can't go directly in. The picture of the side transmission housing shows the 8 mm or 10 mm (can't remember) hex socket filler plug. It's to the left upper corner of where the axle is coming out. Hope that helps.
 
#64 · (Edited)
Finished the front differential service today - oil condition looked much better on the front versus the rear differential. Ended up using a long 18 or 24 inch extension bar to take off the fill plug -- which was very tight and difficult to turn. Went in from the front tire area with passenger front tire removed. Drain plug was much easier to remove.

I'll probably send both front and rear diff oil samples into Blackstone for a UOA and will post results when I get them back.

I used Valvoline Synthetic Gear Oil 75W90 for the new fill and was on sale at AutoZone for 6.99 a quart -- very good deal (through June 1, 2015)!

Does anyone know whether the factory fill is conventional or synthetic?
 
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#65 ·
It wouldn't surprise me if they used conventional oil at the factory. I had a talk to a Subaru mechanic who looked at the Valvoline Synthetic 75-90w Gear Oil and was surprised how thin it was. All I could say, it was a full Synthetic oil. As far as I'm concern Valvoline has been around a long time they know their stuff and it's reasonably priced.
 
#66 ·
Agree, just wondering if I can go 50 to 60k on the Synpower before next service? Can always take a sample at 30k, but it costs more to do a UOA versus buying new gear oil if you DIY.
 
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#68 ·
Sent the samples into Blackstone today, should have results next week. I can't imagine the rear diff fluid is good for more than 30 to 60k, at least not what came out of my rear diff. Front looked much better. I'm thinking I'll check the rear diff in 25 to 30k, and leave the front alone till 50 to 60k.
 
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#69 ·
Glad I read on here for the front diff instructions. I almost used the bolt on the driver side with a 10mm hex for the fill. The bolt is on the diff side of the split case (between engine and cvt) so I'm not sure what it is used for...

I ended up removing the air intake and used the vent tube. I didn't have a small enough funnel but used a cap off the new fluid and made it work!
 

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#70 · (Edited)
Phoenix94 asked "Are the plugs in the rear diff truly hex head (allen)? I was getting ready to do our 2014 and the 10mm hex seams to fit awfully loose in the plug?"

Contrary to DrhPA's statement my 2014 5speed MT rear diff has a 13mm square (not allen) head fill and drain plugs.

According to MackDaddy 1962:
T-Type uses the mentioned square drive drain & fill bolts. These will require "three bond" or equivalent sealer.
VA1-Type uses 10mm allen key bolts. These require metal gaskets, P/N 803918060 (x2)
 
#71 ·
dumped my rear diff fluid at 1500 miles. lot's of muck in the first half of the drain, with the typical "anti seize" all over the drainplug. replaced it with Amsoil Sever Gear 75w/90 that i had on hand from my other vehicles.

i will drain it again at 30k, and i suspect (hope) it should be fairly clean then.
 
#72 · (Edited)
Which reminds me, did anyone do a second drain and fill yet? It would be interesting to see if the same pattern is seen with the rear fluid being dark/black in comparison to new fluid.
 
#73 ·
For those who are thinking about what type of diff oil to use, are concerned that the Subaru HPGO (the stuff currently sold in the US), and live close to Canada (or in Canada), I've learned that the fabled Subaru Extra-S 75w-90 oil is available in Canada! So not only do we have shorter Federal elections, but we also have Extra-S!

What's so great about it? If you believe the legendary status given by members of various Subaru STI/WRX forums out there, it will turn water into wine, lead into gold, take 10 years off your age and is around better than anything else on the market today for a Subaru MT or differential.

The price is $26 per litre (which is a bit more than an US quart) and supposedly, you need to bring your own bottle. Here's the part number as well - K0323F0091.

BTW> Some dealers have switched over to the HPGO stuff. Sound like what happened to the fabled black oil filters and the switch to the blue ones is happening with Extra-S as well in Canada.
 
#74 ·
So the breather tube is in place of where the dip stick wound be?
Cause I cant see a dip stick

Edit: on the front Diff
 
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Discussion starter · #75 ·
Yes that is true; FWIW neither differential, nor the CVT have a dip stick. The 5 speed manual transmission has a dipstick. To check rear diff gear lube the filler plug is taken off and the gear lube should be near the bottom of the fill plug. The front is a bit harder, the fill plug is on the passenger side, and usually is VERY tight.
The front has a drain plug and fluid level check plug. The fluid drain plug is a huge T-70 Tork plug. The fluid level check plug is near that plug, it is an Allen wrench cap plug. Shop manual pages CVT-38, etc. For CVT. Hope this helps.
 
#76 ·
I drained my 45,000 mile (72k km) MY14 manual Transmission rear differential for the first time today. I jacked up the nose of the car to help get every last drop. The factory fill was ~700ml; about 50ml shy of the manual's stated (.8qt) capacity. But 700ml is also all it took to refill, before it started dribbling out of the fill hole. The drained oil was dark and the magnetic drain plug had both fine sludge and metal shavings on it (reminded me of high school chemistry class). After dripping overnight, I refilled with Shell 75w-90 gear oil and put some anti-seize on both plug threads before reinstalling and torquing to 37 ft/lbs. I know that the manual states only inspections are necessary unless severe duty applications are involved. But if you plan on keeping your XV for a long time $5 or so every once in a while is cheap insurance to keep the rear diff in tip-top shape.
 
Discussion starter · #77 ·
snofighter said:
i drained my 45,000 mile (72k km) my14 manual transmission rear differential for the first time today. I jacked up the nose of the car to help get every last drop. The factory fill was ~700ml; about 50ml shy of the manual's stated (.8qt) capacity. But 700ml is also all it took to refill, before it started dribbling out of the fill hole. The drained oil was dark and the magnetic drain plug had both fine sludge and metal shavings on it (reminded me of high school chemistry class). After dripping overnight, i refilled with shell 75w-90 gear oil and put some anti-seize on both plug threads before reinstalling and torquing to 37 ft/lbs. I know that the manual states only inspections are necessary unless severe duty applications are involved. But if you plan on keeping your xv for a long time $5 or so every once in a while is cheap insurance to keep the rear diff in tip-top shape.
Click to expand...
oh yeah!!
 
#78 ·
Could anyone possibly do a quick video of pointing out that breather tube? Thats the only part that scares me about doing this
 
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