Removal of the Front Bumper and Grill to Install a Transmission Cooler on a 2009 Subaru Forester

Updated 02/14/2013 | Published 02/11/2013

Question:

Do I need to pull the front cowling and grill off the 09 Forester to access the front of the radiator to mount a transmission cooler? If so, Is there any tricks to this?

asked by: Dave

Expert Reply:

From the research I did it looks like you will need to remove the front grill and bumper to install a transmission cooler like the Derale Dyno-Cool Tube-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit # D12906. There will be 16 plastic rivets that will need to be removed. You can use a screwdriver to pop them out. Take your time getting these out so you do not break them.

Once the grill and bumper are removed you will have plenty of room to work to install a transmission cooler like the # D12906.

I am going to send you a link to a couple threads I found that explain how a guy removed his grill/bumper to install a cooler in a separate email.

expert reply by: Jameson C