03-91-23R

ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
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PARTS MANAGER
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CLAIMS PERSONNEL
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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.
SERVICE MANAGER
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© 2023 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.
SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
		
2020-23MY Outback
2019-23MY Forester
NUMBER: 03-91-23R
SUBJECT:
		
Clicking/Cracking-Type Sound on Slow Turns 		
Front Drive Axle Shaft – Design Change
REVISED: 04/23/24
DATE: 01/08/24
INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin announces the design change made to the front drive axle shaft assemblies to address
cases of a clicking/cracking-type sound heard when driving with the steering wheel in the fully
locked (left or right) position. Size of the joint has been increased to provide added durability. If a
clicking/cracking-type sound is duplicated while driving the vehicle with the steering wheel in the
fully locked position, replaced the affected side with the newly designed drive axle shaft assembly.
The assemblies are not required to be replaced in pairs.
PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:
The new drive shaft assemblies have been incorporated into vehicle production as per the table below.
Model
Starting VIN
OUTBACK
TBD
FORESTER
PH455319
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.
Subaru of America, Inc. is
ISO 14001 Compliant
ISO 14001 is the international standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is friendly
to our environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 03-91-23R; Revised: 04/23/24
Page 1 of 5
DESCRIPTION OF DESIGN CHANGE:
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 03-91-23R; Revised: 04/23/24
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PART INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Always order the most up-to-date replacement parts based on the specific VIN being
repaired.
Model
Part Description
Part Number
OUTBACK
DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY-FRONT
28321AN030
FORESTER
DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY-FRONT
28321SJ010
OUTBACK & FORESTER
NUT (One Time Use)
902170049
HOW TO DISTINGWITH OLD AND NEW PARTS:
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 03-91-23R; Revised: 04/23/24
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SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
The service procedures for the front drive shaft assembly replacement remain unchanged. Always
refer to the applicable Service Manual and review the full requirements of the repair being performed.
The Service Manual procedures contain information critical to performing an effective repair the
first time, every time. This includes but is not limited to important SAFETY precautions, proper
inspection criteria, necessary special tools, required processes and related one-time-use parts needed
for a complete and lasting repair.
Refer to STIS: DrivelineAxle > PROPELLER SHAFT / DRIVE SHAFT / AXLE > Front Drive Shaft
WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active Subaru Added
Security Classic or Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the following claim information:
Labor Description
Labor Operation #
Labor Time
ONE FRONT AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY R&R
B621-301
Refer to Labor
Time Guide
BOTH FRONT AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES R&R
B621-304
Refer to Labor
Time Guide
Fail Code
NCK-25 (RIGHT)
NCL-25 (LEFT)
NAN-25
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 03-91-23R; Revised: 04/23/24
Page 4 of 5
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•
SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as previously
released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.
•
Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.
•
Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.
Bulletin Number: 03-91-23R; Revised: 04/23/24
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