Subaru Enthusiasts - I'm new on this site and apparently posted this question incorrectly as a reply to an existing thread. Found out while googling that some of you replied and asked for additional information. Thanks for the input. The 96 OBW has a 2.5 engine and AT. It has 246k miles. I rescued this vehicle from an abusive owner with a blown head gasket. I've repaired and seems to be running fine. Their is a very noisy howling/whinning noise coming from the rear end when accelerating and coasting. There was no oil in the rear differential. The previous owner attached a towing package and an upgraded swaybar unit. Don't no what he was towing. Also the badly worn tires were mismatched due to alignment issues. The spare donut tire was completely bald.

 

At any rate, should I replace the diff, was wandering what newer units would plug in without having to make modifications elsewhere with the drive system.

I've researched and found a number of salvage yards that have units. I would like to replace with a low miles unit, but 96-99 diffs pretty much have an excess of 150k miles. Salvage yards list units as locking or non-locking. Any thoughts?????

Rear diff failures are quite rare, if you keep fluid in them. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used one. I'd replace the 2 axle oil seals just to be safe.

the diff design 90 - 04? are all the same. they will all bolt in.

 

BUT you need to make sure you get the matching final drive ratio.yours is 4.44:1. you can use any 2.5L auto trans rear diff 96 - 99.

 

00-04 you need to make sure it comes from an outback. there may be others that work but i'm not as familiar so keep to the outbacks with auto trans.

 

Re: locking, post #2 here,

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=108298

Edited January 29, 201016 yr by johnceggleston