replacing diff head??
 

ok im replacing my diff head is there anything i should do at the same time ? ie wheel bearings etc,, just thinking while the rear is up in the air i may as well do what can be done

Can you describe to me what the rear diff head is? I have never heard that term before.

Is that the same a pumpkin(head)?:p

You mean the internals of the differential (gears) or the whole thing casing and all?

yep the internals? of the diff

Earthworms rear diff bushings

the 15/15 mod (do a search)

maybe rear sway bushings?

some elbow grease and a rag to make things look nice under there.

and a stage 3.

ok i understand that i may use a different form of what you may call english but hey that goes two ways ok,over here any kiwi who has a car and can say do a oil change knows what the diffence is between what a diff is and what a diff head is, so enough of the snide comments! you dont hear me commenting on your english ie what the hell is a trunk? i thought that was what a elephant had not a car, we call it a boot. so just a simple question about what im asking would surfice without the neverending jokes and realise that there are more than just americans on this site and we others may call certain things differently..
ok enough bleating, anyway thanks to those that have answered a lot of my questions wether or not i have worded them correctly in american english or not but your replies have been very helpfull and i thank you wholeheartedly
cheers nigel

i have diff bushes coming and rear swaybar bushings,, um whats the stage three?

Oh, its just the supercharger, injector, ecu and fuel pump package from lan... 7500 bucks and its yours...

lol i wish!! hey you never know next year hopefully i wont be wishing i just re-did my employment contract and my boss added a gross profit 5% bonus to be paid quarterly so my dreams of having a stage 3 could be possible as soon as march:) (hmm rubbing hands together):D

hmm 7500us = about 9500nz + prob another 500 freight = 10000nz wow that had better make my car perform , i could get another 2 svx's for that

Hi Nigel,
 

We do have some different terms.

However a "pumpkin" is a common term here for the middle section of a rear differential.

Also known as a center section, or "third member".:rolleyes:

I am sure that SOMEONE can make a joke out of that...

Pumpkinhead, I believe is a scary movie title...

But I degress.:o

If you are replacing the rear ring (gear)and pinion (gear)in an existing rear differential housing I would replace the side/axle seals. and the rear diff cover gasket. Usually light metal.

If you are replacing the pinion gear in an existing housing the "crush sleeve"is mandatory to get the correct pre-load on the pinion shaft and bearings.:)

Since you have to remove the rear diff to accomplish this, new rear diff mount bushings are a good idea.

Four new driveshaft to rear diff flange bolts, nuts, and lock washers are cheap insurance as well.

Stock Subaru rear differentials USUALLY last a very long time, what went bad on yours.
Tom

i have the most terrible grinding noise coming from the rear end , and on my last trip in it the diff pumkin/head got so hot that the upper rubber mounts caught fire. it was fine one day then bang the next day it turned to custard i didnt notice the noise untill i saw the smoke from the burning rubber mounts ( stereo to loud ) with car up on axle stands and motor going etc the grind sounds to be at the center and not the outside as if it could be bearings, there is no play in the wheels when up in the air, cant really afford a huge garage bill just to tell me the problem before they even attempt to fix it.. i have allready sourced a diff pumpkin/head with only 80thou km on it out of a head on crash victim.. so thought easiest and cheapest option would be just to install that and anything else like the bushings,nuts n bolts etc while its off the ground on axlestands.
dose this sound like a plan ?

ok the side/axle seals, cover gasket and the crush sleeve.. i doubt il get them here in new zealand over the counter, so if not, can you hook me up with supplier from that end? im placing a order with svx motorsport warehouse next week for the wheel bearings ,bushings etc .
thanks

If I were replacing the complete center differential/pumpkin/third member, and I knew it was a stock replacement, then I WOULD NOT replace anything that was not noticeably bad!
Subaru builds a fine rear end, and , as stated earlier, they USUALLY last a VERY long time!

Of course I would change to a new gear oil. Mobile1 70-90 wt full synthetic. and if I was not sure of the old driveshaft bolts, then new ones there...

Torque everything to spec, use red thread locker. and
Happy Motoring!:D