Parts for your 2004 Subaru Forester-Drive belt

2004 Subaru Forester drive belt — what it does and when to replace it

Technical sources confirm the 2004 Subaru Forester does use accessory drive belts, so a drive-belt is absolutely relevant on this model. Subaru’s 2004 Forester Owner’s Manual (SG series) specifies inspection of the “V-belt/drive belt” at regular services, and the Subaru Forester Factory Service Manual for 2003–2005 (SG, EJ25) details belt routing, tension checks and replacement for the alternator, power steering and air-conditioning belts. Aftermarket catalogues from Gates and Dayco for AU/NZ also list accessory drive belts for the 2004 Forester. Note the engine’s water pump is driven by the timing belt inside the front cover, not by the external drive belt.

On a 2004 Forester (both non-turbo and XT), one or two V‑ribbed belts sit at the front of the engine to spin key accessories. Their job is simple but critical: keep the alternator charging, the power steering light and easy, and the A/C blowing cold. If the belt slips or fails, the battery light may flick on, steering can go heavy, and the air‑con will drop off. Left long enough, a flat battery or poor running will follow.

As part of routine servicing in Australia and New Zealand, the drive belt should be inspected at each service (roughly every 10,000–15,000 km or 6–12 months, depending on the workshop schedule). Look for cracking across the ribs, fraying, glazing/shiny patches, missing chunks, or rubber dust around the pulleys. A dry squeal on cold start or when turning the wheel is another red flag.

Tension matters. A quick mid‑span twist test helps: if it twists more than about 90 degrees easily, it’s likely too loose, if it barely moves, it may be over‑tight. Either extreme can cause noise, slip, premature wear of bearings, or accessory damage. Many SG Foresters use an alternator pivot/adjuster and a separate A/C idler to set tension—handy, but they must be tightened correctly.

Replacement is typically recommended around 60,000–100,000 km or 4–6 years, sooner if there’s any doubt. When fitting a new belt, note the routing, loosen the adjusters, slip the old belt off, seat the new belt fully in the pulley grooves, set tension, run the engine for a minute, then recheck and retension if needed. Don’t confuse the external drive belt with the timing belt—timing belt service is a separate, bigger job with its own interval.

• Common symptoms: squeal on start-up, battery light, heavy steering, visible cracks/glazing.
• Workshop tip: quality belts (e.g., Gates/Dayco) last longer and run quieter on EJ engines.

Popular questions about 2004 Subaru Forester drive belts

What does the drive belt power on a 2004 Forester?
It turns the alternator, power steering pump and A/C compressor. The water pump is driven by the timing belt inside the cover, so a noisy or slipping external belt won’t usually cause overheating straight away, but it will affect charging, steering feel and air‑con performance.

How often should the drive belt be replaced?
Have it inspected every service and plan replacement about every 60,000–100,000 km or 4–6 years. Heat, dust and short trips can shorten belt life, so if there’s squeal, cracking or glazing, replace it sooner rather than later.

Why does my Forester’s belt squeal on cold start?
Usually it’s low tension or a worn belt. Contamination (coolant or oil) and a tired idler or alternator pulley can also cause slip. Setting the correct tension and replacing a glazed belt typically fixes it, if noise persists, have the pulleys and alignment checked.