I am changing an auto tranny in my 2001 forester. I have noticed a difference from the one i installing from a 2004 forester. There is, what appears to be an oil filter on the front of the transmission at the bottom left. Also it appears to be on the front axles, that they are not using pins on the shafts, is this right? Any help would be a great appreciation.

oil filter won't matter. although that sounds odd since i thought all Subaru auto trans had filters in 1998 and later? maybe the 2001 was replaced before?

 

either way, it's just an external filter and means nothing, the trans should still be interchangeable...well could be.

 

as for the axles, not sure exactly what you mean? both have stubby shafts or not?

 

it may be that the stubby shafts are not on the "new" transmission. if not, just install the ones from the old trans. they have a circlip and pop into place.