How to separate Centre Diff from Transmission Case

[NGTD]

I have a 97 Outback that has a bad centre diff. I picked up a used transmission from a Forester - same final drive ratio (4.11:1). I was trying to swap just the centre diff, but I cannot seem to get the case holding the centre diff to separate from the rest of the tranny case. Any hints?

Or should I just swap the whole transmission?

[r3v_v3ng3]

i think its better to swap the whole transmission. Less things that could go wrong (opening up/torqueing the bolts etc)

[superu]

This thread may be old but I'll chime in...
Once you get the bolts off, you need to whack the rear case with a rubber BFH a few times. There are a couple studs in there too that line up the rear case with the center case.. The center diff comes off pretty easily and there isn't much chance of screwing up gear meshing, like if you cracked the main case open and wanted to fiddle with throw out bearings and gears and such.

YIKES!!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030600JPGglUS-1.jpg


Here's from when I swapped my LEG 3.90 5MT for an OB 4.11 5MT, then I pulled the LEG 5MT apart to look around.

complete:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030578JPGglUS-1.jpg

center diff/rear case off
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030583JPGglUS-1.jpg

canter case off
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030586JPGglUS-1.jpg

rear case and center diff pulled out
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030582JPGglUS-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030616JPGglUS-1.jpg


exploded center diff
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030579JPGglUS-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030608JPGglUS-1.jpg

the magical viscous coupler
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/P1030609JPGglUS-1.jpg

[d1giPhux]

Another good link for you to check out:

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin ... hem-46979/ (http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f89/center-diffs-how-replace-them-46979/)