Parts for your 2009 Subaru Forester-Exhaust mount

2009 Subaru Forester Exhaust Mount: Purpose, care and when to replace

Technical documentation confirms the 2009 Subaru Forester (SH) uses exhaust mounts (rubber hangers/insulators) as part of its exhaust system. This is shown in the Subaru Factory Service Manual for the 2009 Forester SH (Exhaust System section), the Subaru FAST electronic parts catalogue for the SH chassis (listing “Insulator – Exhaust” along the centre and rear sections), and independent workshop manuals covering 2009–2013 Forester models that detail exhaust removal and refit procedures using rubber hangers.

On this Forester, the exhaust mounts are the quiet achievers. They suspend the exhaust under the body, keeping the pipes and muffler aligned while soaking up vibration so the cabin stays calm. They also maintain clearance to the floor, crossmembers and rear bumper, which protects the catalytic converter and muffler from undue stress and knocks.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to eyeball these mounts. Rubber hardens and cracks with age, heat and road grime, and once a hanger stretches or tears, the exhaust can sag, move off-centre and start tapping on heat shields or the subframe. That’s when you’ll hear the tell-tale rattle over bumps or a thud at start-up.

• Common signs it’s time: muffler sitting low or crooked, clunks/rattles from the rear, drone or vibration at idle, visible cracking or splitting in the rubber, and fresh witness marks where the exhaust has been touching the body.
• Inspection interval: have a look at every service (around 10,000–15,000 kilometres) or after any off-road trip, towing, or kerb strike.

Replacement is straightforward but do it safely. Let the exhaust cool, support it with a jack and wood block, then slip the old hangers off their pegs. A mist of silicone spray helps, avoid petroleum grease on rubber. OE-style high-temp rubber hangers restore the factory feel. Polyurethane hangers can tighten things up if the system moves around, but may add a touch more NVH. It’s worth replacing mounts in pairs (or all along the system) so height and alignment are even.

Once fitted, check there’s healthy clearance all round—generally a finger’s width to heat shields, suspension and bumper—and that the tailpipe sits centred in the cut-out. After a heat cycle, recheck for any new noises. Coastal, dusty or stop–start use can age mounts faster on Aussie and Kiwi roads, so keep them on the service checklist.

• How many exhaust mounts does a 2009 Forester have, and where are they?
  Most 2009 Foresters run four to five mounts: typically two around the mid/centre pipe area and two or three at the rear muffler section. Variant and market equipment can add an extra insulator near a resonator. A quick look underneath will confirm what’s on the vehicle.
• Can worn mounts cause rattles or a drone?
  Yes. When a hanger stretches or tears, the exhaust can sit off-centre and touch heat shields or the subframe, making a rattle over bumps or a thud on start-up. Excess movement can also change how the system resonates, creating a low-frequency drone that wasn’t there before.
• Rubber or polyurethane—what suits a Forester best?
  Quality rubber hangers match the factory isolation and are ideal for daily use. Polyurethane is firmer, which helps keep aftermarket systems in place or reduce movement off-road, but it can transmit a bit more vibration into the cabin.