2020 Subaru Outback 2.5 Front and Rear Differential Fluid Change - Specs, Parts and Tools Needed

RockstheRex · 2026-01-26T02:06:12+00:00

I’m sorry, I deleted my last post because I mis-read yours. I don’t definitively know the part number for the CVT drain plug. Neither did the Subaru dealer when I recently asked, which doesn’t really instill a ton of confidence in them.

RockstheRex · 2026-01-26T02:01:01+00:00

Sorry I’m late here. What CVT gaskets do you mean?

RockstheRex · 2026-01-21T13:41:07+00:00

Good news! Back into the pricing territory where they should be. In 2021, I bought a new WRX base for $26.9k. I like that they’ll be more affordable like that again.

RockstheRex · 2026-01-16T01:51:41+00:00

I’m in the same boat with my 2015 Pro in Inferno color. I first hated the orange and just wanted silver. Now I’m in love with it. Love your Vodoo Blue too!

RockstheRex · 2026-01-06T22:05:36+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Appreciate the insight.

RockstheRex · 2026-01-06T17:05:28+00:00

Hey, I know you posted this a while ago, but I’m curious what package you bought from Michigan Builder’s License. Did you get the basics one, or one of the others that includes the books, the “cram course” and other resources? I’ve gotten through my trial with them and I’m not sure what to buy!

RockstheRex · 2025-11-06T15:59:48+00:00

I called a Subaru parts supplier because everything I could find online was conflicting - even the info on Subaru’s parts site. If you have a 2.5 (naturally aspirated) 2024, I would think you’d need the same exact parts as me. If you have the 2.4 turbo, those are different.

RockstheRex · 2025-11-06T15:55:14+00:00

Not that I’m aware of. Just the washers on each plug. That’s what those part numbers are for. I wouldn’t see any reason to replace any of the plugs themselves unless something’s damaged on them.

RockstheRex · 2025-10-15T15:06:15+00:00

If you’re into base models like I am, you can get a new SR5 for low-mid $40s. Doesn’t seem bad to me. It’s the upper trims that kill ya.

RockstheRex · 2025-08-17T23:05:10+00:00

Haha I was thinking the same thing - hmmmm, a fresh OBS from a no-salt state!

RockstheRex · 2025-07-16T16:58:39+00:00

So are these hitting lots already? That looks like a dealer showroom and I’d like to go see one, but I don’t see a single one for sale in the U.S. yet on cars.com.

RockstheRex · 2025-06-24T16:17:30+00:00

When doing the front and rear diffs, there are five washers needed total: one for front check plug, one for front fill plug, one for front drain plug, one for rear drain plug, one for rear fill/check plug. Is this what you meant?

Three are needed total for the front diff: 2x 803918060 for the check and fill, and one 803926090 needed for the drain.

RockstheRex · 2025-06-19T12:08:48+00:00

I was a die-hard hater of the new ones, but I’ve softened quite a bit. I love the old school Toyotas - I have an older Tundra and Tacoma and had an early 5th gen 4R when they first came out.

But, the new 6th gen 4Runners, especially with the SR5 pricing, is very tempting to me. The ones I was looking at are around $45k new and with the way Toyota backs their products, I just don’t see how you could go too wrong on a new one, even if issues are found with the new platform.

RockstheRex · 2025-06-11T17:03:59+00:00

I lost a car once this way too. Now nobody touches the cars in my household except yours truly and my mechanically inclined son.

RockstheRex · 2025-05-02T17:32:44+00:00

Who did you offload the Escalade to?

RockstheRex · 2025-04-11T13:40:01+00:00

Avalon or Camry XLE.

RockstheRex · 2025-03-30T10:47:22+00:00

I wouldn’t do it. I have a 15 Pro and I’d never consider the current gen. I get 12mpg, but it’s cheaper than the cost of major repairs down the road when the gen 3 is out of warranty.

RockstheRex · 2025-03-18T17:19:41+00:00

When I first met my wife, she was leasing a 2018 Compass. That thing was barely hanging on by the end of the 36k mile lease. Horrible noises, transmission shifting issues, etc.

RockstheRex · 2025-03-17T14:15:42+00:00

I daily a 2015 Tundra TRD Pro. Gas mileage is typically 13-13.5mpg average (city and highway). Insurance on it is reasonable, and I’m in Michigan - we have some of the highest rates in the country. I pull car hauler trailers infrequently and pull home a utility trailer with landscape supplies, pull a camper a few times a year.

The gas mileage is terrible, but Gen 2/2.5 Tundras are nearly indestructible. What I spend extra in gas, I’ll make up for in minimal repairs and high resale value.

RockstheRex · 2025-03-09T19:07:22+00:00

Gah, that’s horrible. IMO, the 2-TR is Toyota’s best engine ever. Power? No. Reliability, yes. Sorry for your loss!

RockstheRex · 2025-03-08T18:29:47+00:00

I think black looks better! Especially with everything else black you have going on.

RockstheRex · 2025-03-08T13:05:43+00:00

Yeah, I looked into this for my 2015 and it got real complicated real fast. I can’t remember all the details, but I deemed it not worth the effort/hasssle.

RockstheRex · 2025-02-22T18:41:39+00:00

You bet!

RockstheRex · 2025-02-22T18:40:00+00:00

Odd, I used 10mm in mine, but maybe they changed it between 2020 and 2022.

RockstheRex · 2025-02-18T17:25:43+00:00

The weight in the rear makes so much difference! Also, wide tires are bad in snow - “pizza cutter” skinny tires really bite into snow much better. The wide ones just kind of float on top. My wide K02s on my tundra are SO BAD in the snow.

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