ATTENTION:

CLAIMS PERSONNEL q

IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

SERVICE MANAGER

© 2014 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

GENERAL MANAGER q
PARTS MANAGER

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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2015MY Legacy and Outback Models

NUMBER: 12-177-14

SUBJECT:
Service Procedure to Address a Wind Rushing Sound
from the Rear Door Sash Area

DATE: 12/23/14

INTRODUCTION
This bulletin provides a service procedure to address customer concerns of a wind rushing-type
sound which seems to come from the rear door glass sash area. Customers may report a concern
with one or both rear doors. It is only necessary to address the side with the confirmed condition.
The door glass sash separates the main door glass from the small partition glass at the rear of
each door. The procedure involves replacement of the rear door glass run channel (weatherstrip),
partition glass weatherstrip, and both the inner and outer door glass weatherstrips (sweeps). In
addition, 3 pre-cut pieces of self-adhesive EPT foam, 1 piece of non-woven tape (will be cut into 2
pieces) and 1 piece of butyl tape will be added in specific locations.
COUNTERMEASURE IN PRODUCTION
Countermeasures were incorporated into production on October 10, 2014 starting with the following
VINs: F3028031 (LEGACY) and F3243546 (OUTBACK).
PART INFORMATION
PART NAME

PART NUMBER

REPAIR KIT LEGACY R RH
REPAIR KIT LEGACY R LH
REPAIR KIT OUTBACK R RH
REPAIR KIT OUTBACK R LH

62099AL00A
62099AL01A
62099AL04A
62099AL05A

The parts kit will consist of the following components: (p.n. 61099AL00A , a Right Rear kit (Right
Rear Kit is shown on the next page).
ID

DESCRIPTION

QUANTITY

A
B
C
D
E

Weatherstrip Outer
Glass Run Channel
Partition Glass Weatherstrip
Weatherstrip Inner
“Small Parts” Kit Bag (Detail / Table below)

1
1
1
1
1

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.

Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Continued...

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.

Page 1

Small Parts Kit Bag Detail
ID

DESCRIPTION

QUANTITY

F
G
H
I
J
K

EPT Foam Piece #1
EPT Foam Piece #2
EPT Foam Piece #3
Rivets
Non-Woven Tape
Butyl Tape

1
1
1
2
1
1
Small Parts Kit

Parts Kit

B
E
D

H

C

K
G

F
A

J

I

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION
VERY IMPORTANT: Always verify the customer’s concern and read through this procedure
completely BEFORE proceeding with any repairs.

STEP 1 - Disassembly
VERY IMPORTANT: Always take proper precautions to protect the door panel interior trim
surfaces from becoming scratched / damaged throughout this procedure.
•

Open the door glass fully then “bump” the switch to raise it back up approximately ½”.

•

Disconnect the battery ground (-) cable from the battery sensor.

•

CAREFULLY remove the affected door trim panel following the procedure outlined in
the applicable Service Manual. Release the control cables from the inner door handle as
shown in the photos below. Align the cable with the slot then lift it up and out of the lever to
disengage it.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Page 2

TIP: After disconnecting the control cables from the door handle, rotate the door panel 90 degrees
clockwise as shown below. This will allow for much easier access to disconnect the power window
switch harness connector.

•

After disconnecting the wiring harness connector for the power window and the speaker, put
the trim panel in a safe place to protect it until needed.

NOTE: Pay close attention to the small sealing gaskets used on the door trim. These gaskets must
be in place as shown below before reassembly to properly seal their respective component and help
eliminate the possibility of a rattling sound.

CAREFULLY release the vapor barrier from the bottom only as much as is required to access the
window glass and the 2 sash retaining bolts. Use the control cable through a round retaining clip
hole already in the vapor barrier to hold it up and out of the way as shown below. Use a Philips
screwdriver to remove the door speaker.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Page 3

•

Remove the #2 Philips screw securing the partition glass sash to the door frame. The screw
is accessed by partially removing the outer door seal directly above where the sash meets the
door frame. Remove the 2- 10mm hex bolts securing the sash to the inner door structure.
Remove the sash, partition glass and the run channel as shown in the illustrations below.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Page 4

•

Once the sash, partition glass and glass run channel have been removed, CAREFULLY tilt /
rotate the glass clockwise as shown. Disengage it from the regulator lift arm roller then lift it
out of the door and set aside in a safe place. Do not remove the window regulator assembly.

STEP 2 - Using a plastic trim tool under each end, CAREFULLY unseat the retaining clips and
remove the outer door glass weatherstrip / chrome trim.

FRONT

FRONT

REAR

REAR

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Page 5

STEP 3 - Place the door trim panel on a clean surface (e.g. a blanket or cloth fender cover) and
access the inner weatherstrip mounting claws. Use a small flat-blade screw driver to lift and
straighten the retaining claws which along with “pop” rivets, secure it to the door trim panel. Note
the direction of the metal retaining claws as the claws on the replacement part must be folded in the
same direction as the originals. Example: on the rear doors, 3 point toward the rear and the other 2
point toward the front.

CAUTION: Wear Safety Glasses. Using an electric drill with a 5/32” drill bit turning at LOW SPEED,
CAREFULLY drill out the two retaining rivets found between the “flaps” of the weatherstrip.

The photo below shows the drill being held at an angle to minimize the tendency for the rivet to spin.
A ¼” drive, 5mm deep-well socket was used as a drill stop and an additional “grip” to provide extra
control of the drill bit while drilling out the rivets. Always make sure to vacuum away any remaining
metal chips after drilling is complete.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Page 6

Fit the replacement inner weatherstrip to the trim panel. “Clamp” the new part to the door trim
panel with your thumbs and fingers as shown below then bend the retaining claws over in the same
direction as the originals (referenced earlier in this step) using your forefinger. The metal used for the
backing and retaining claws of the weatherstrip is relatively pliable and easily bent into position.

Once all the new claws are bent over and holding the weatherstrip tight against the door panel, install
the new retaining rivets using a pop rivet installation tool.

After installation, the back side of each new rivet will mushroom or “bloom” as shown at the top
of the next page (Fig. 1). CAUTION: The rivet will have sharp edges. Pinch the inside flap of
the weatherstrip and the lower glass-side flap together (Fig. 2). Using a pair of slip-joint pliers,
CAREFULLY crush the bloom, one part at a time. The new rivet material is aluminum so, only a
small amount of clamping force is needed to achieve the desired result (Figs. 3 and 4). They do not
need to be crushed flat. Maximum height is 3mm. Using the supplied piece of non-woven tape, cut
it in half and apply one piece for each rivet (Fig. 4). Smooth the tape for proper adhesion..
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Page 7

FIg. 1

FIg. 2

FIg. 3

FIg. 4

STEP 4 - Application of the EPT Foam Sealing Material
•

EPT Foam Piece #1 is applied to the door trim panel at the top front corner where the trim
material wraps around the front edge as shown in the photo below.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Page 8

•

EPT Foam Piece #2 is applied to the top front of the door trim panel at the front edge of the
inner door glass inner weatherstrip. This piece seals the inside face of the sash and has been
pre-cut so it can be properly folded into position as shown in the illustration and photos below.

Sealer in Proper Position

Complete

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Page 9

•

EPT Foam Piece #3 is applied to the top rear of the door trim panel at the rear edge where the
trim material wraps around the rear edge as shown in the photo below.

STEP 5 - Application of Butyl Tape
•

To better secure the upper front corner of the door frame weatherstrip to the door frame,
release the plastic retaining clip and pull back the weatherstripping to gain access to the area
where the butyl tape will be applied. Be sure to clean the area where the butyl tape will be
applied with a mild solvent on a clean shop cloth. After drying the area completely, apply
the 80mm long piece of butyl tape to the door frame as indicated in red in the illustration and
indicated in the completed installation photo below.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Page 10

After the butyl tape is applied, refit the weatherstrip and make sure the retaining clip “clips” back into
the hole as shown to properly secure and position it. Work the weatherstrip onto the butyl tape with
your thumbs making sure it is smooth and any bumps or high spots have been worked out.

To complete this step, make sure the front of the weatherstrip is properly tucked in behind the chrome
outer molding as shown below.

STEP 6 - Reassembly
•

Install the original partition glass into the new partition glass weatherstrip. Make sure the
weatherstrip is fully seated all the way around the glass.

•

Install the glass run channel into the door frame and sash in reverse order of removal.

TIP: Use a soapy water solution to act as a lubricant to aid with the reassembly.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Page 11

NOTE: At this point, do not secure the sash into the door. Leave it loose until after the partition glass
assembly and door glass are back in place. When reinstalling the door glass, rotate it slightly counterclockwise while engaging the guide back onto the regulator lift arm roller. Once the glass is back on
the roller push it forward and seat it into the vertical (front) portion of the glass run channel. Work the
sash into position on the back edge of the glass and install the Philips screw and the 2- 10mm mounting
bolts.
IMPORTANT: While applying substantial rearward pressure on the sash, fully torque the top Philips
retaining screw to 1.6 ft. lbs. (19 inch pounds) then torque the 2- 10 mm hex sash retaining bolts to 5.5
ft. lbs, (66 inch pounds) top bolt first.
•

When installing the new glass run channel, make sure it is fully seated into the door frame. It
is also important to confirm the run channel is completely seated all the way to the bottom in
both the sash (rear) and the channel it fits into at the front edge of the glass.

•

Reinstall the door speaker.

•

Reconnect the door lock and latch control cables and all removed wiring harness connectors.

IMPORTANT: When reinstalling the door lock and latch control cables, always make sure the outer
casings are fully locked back into place in their respective retaining grooves.
•

Always verify proper power window, power door lock, door latch and speaker operation before
final installation of the door trim panel.

•

Once proper operation is confirmed, complete the installation of the door trim panel in reverse
order of removal.

IMPORTANT: To prevent EPT Foam Piece #1 from binding or “bunching up”, hold the lower part of
the door trim panel away from the door while sliding it down into position.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Page 12

STEP 7 - Install the new replacement outer door weatherstrip / chrome trim in reverse order of
removal as outlined previously in STEP 2.

STEP 8 - Reconnect the negative battery cable and torque the 12mm nut to 7.5 Nm (5.5 ft. lbs).
NOTE: For the power window Auto Up / Down feature to operate, since the negative battery cable was
disconnected, the system will need to be re-initialized on BOTH front doors. Follow the steps below to
complete the re-initialization procedure:
1. Begin with the window fully closed. Push the switch down to open the window about
halfway.
2. Pull the switch up to close the window fully in steps (it will only close about 2” each time the
switch is operated).
3. Once the window is fully closed, pull up and hold the switch again for 1 second to complete
the initialization procedure.

STEP 9 - Road test the vehicle to confirm the repair has been successful to complete the procedure.
WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period, this repair may be claimed using the
following information:
LABOR DESCRIPTION

LABOR
OPERATION #

2015 Legacy and Outback Rear Door Wind
Rushing Sound Repair- 1 Side

A912-513

FAIL
CODE

LABOR
TIME

1.2
WBF-48

2015 Legacy and Outback Rear Door Wind
Rushing Sound Repair- Both Sides

A912-514

1.9

REMINDER: 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 refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

Bulletin Number: 12-177-14; Date: 12/23/14

Page 13