The rockers in Subaru FA and FB engines are only held in place by valve spring pressure. If that pressure is lost for a split second, a rocker can dislodge and destroy the engine.

<p>The rocker arms in Subaru FA and FB engines (including the FA20 in the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, and the FA24 in the GR86 and current BRZ) are floating. They&apos;re held in place only by valve spring pressure.&#xA0;</p><h3 id="what-goes-wrong">What goes wrong</h3><p>If a valve floats, bounces or sticks, even for a split second, the rocker is unloaded and can walk off its pivot. Because it&apos;s a boxer engine, the rockers sit on their side, so gravity makes this more likely. Once a rocker is loose:</p><ul><li><strong>If you&apos;re lucky,</strong> it tucks into the head and the cylinder keeps running on its other valve. You might notice a misfire or low power.</li><li><strong>If you&apos;re not,</strong> the camshaft picks it up and punches it through the tappet cover. Oil sprays onto the exhaust (a fire risk), the valve can drop into the cylinder, and the engine is destroyed. A rebuild generally runs $5,000 to $10,000 once pistons, valves and gaskets are counted.</li></ul><h3 id="does-it-only-happen-on-track-or-when-over-revving">Does it only happen on track or when over-revving?</h3><p>No. There&apos;s no specific RPM. A missed downshift of course makes it extremely likely, but we&apos;ve seen rockers drop across the rev range on stock, daily-driven cars, including automatics. Carbon build-up on the valves makes a sticking valve, and a dropped rocker, more likely.</p><h3 id="how-our-kit-helps">How our kit helps</h3><p>Our kit replaces the factory pivots with our Denstoj pivots that have a retaining groove, plus a heat-treated high-carbon steel clip on each rocker. In normal running, the clip doesn&apos;t affect the operation of the rocker. However, if valve spring pressure is lost, the clip is designed to catch the rocker and hold it in place until valve spring pressure is regained. This massively reduces the risk of it dislodging.</p><p>It&apos;s not a fix for poor valve control, and a severe over-rev can still break the clips. Think of it as insurance: prestige engines like the BMW B58 in the GR Supra and Lexus 2UR-GSE V8 in the Lexus LC500 use rocker retention from the factory for the same reason.</p><p>We&apos;ve been running our retainers since 2019, on everything from daily drivers to Toyota 86 Racing Series cars.</p>

Why do FA and FB engines need Rocker Retainers?

No. The 2012 to 2013 recall replaced valve springs that could fracture. The rockers are still free-floating on every FA and FB engine, including the 2022+ GR86 and BRZ.

<p>No. This is one of the most common misconceptions we hear.</p>
<p>The recall on early (2012 to 2013) Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ models replaced valve springs that could fracture. It didn&apos;t change how the rockers are held in place.</p>
<p>Toyota and Subaru have revised the pivot design three times since, but they all work the same way. The rockers are still free-floating on:</p>
<ul>
<li>Every FA engine (2012 on), including the FA24 in the 2022+ GR86 and BRZ</li>
<li>Every FB engine (2010 on)</li>
<li>The FA20 DIT turbo engine</li>
</ul>
<p>So yes, newer cars need Rocker Retainers too. One customer&apos;s 2020 BRZ dropped a rocker, and they&apos;d assumed the problem was limited to early models.</p>
<p>Does correct valve clearance or stiffer valve springs solve it? They reduce the chance of a problem but don&apos;t remove it, because the rocker still isn&apos;t retained. Stiffer springs can also add unnecessary valvetrain wear.</p>

Did the valve spring recall fix the rocker problem on the 86 and BRZ?

All Subaru FA and FB engines, including the Toyota 86, GR86, Subaru BRZ, WRX, Forester, Impreza, Outback and more. Works on LHD and RHD, manual and auto, NA and turbo.

<p>Our FA/FB kit fits <strong>every Subaru FA and FB engine</strong>: FA20D, FA20F, FA24F, FB16, FB20, FB20A, FB20D, FB20X, FB25 and FB25B. The pivots and rockers are the same across the range, including the FA20 DIT turbo engine. The FA20 in the Toyota 86 is also known as the 4U-GSE.</p><table><thead><tr><th>Make</th><th>Model</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Toyota</td><td>86</td><td>2012 to 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Toyota</td><td>GR86</td><td>2022 on</td></tr><tr><td>Scion</td><td>FR-S</td><td>2013 to 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Subaru</td><td>BRZ</td><td>2013 on</td></tr><tr><td>Subaru</td><td>WRX (VA)</td><td>2015 to 2021</td></tr><tr><td>Subaru</td><td>WRX (VB)</td><td>2022 on</td></tr><tr><td>Subaru</td><td>Forester</td><td>2011 on</td></tr><tr><td>Subaru</td><td>Impreza</td><td>2012 on</td></tr><tr><td>Subaru</td><td>Crosstrek / XV</td><td>2013 on</td></tr><tr><td>Subaru</td><td>Legacy</td><td>2013 on</td></tr><tr><td>Subaru</td><td>Outback</td><td>2013 on</td></tr><tr><td>Subaru</td><td>Ascent</td><td>2019 on</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br>It suits left and right-hand drive, manual and automatic, and naturally aspirated or boosted engines. It also works with aftermarket camshafts, because the rockers don&apos;t change. See the full <a href="https://denstoj.com.au/pages/vehicle-applicability-table">vehicle applicability table</a>.</p><h3 id="checking-by-part-number">Checking by part number</h3><p>Our pivots replace these factory pivots:</p><ul><li>Subaru 13296AA100 (supersedes 13296AA040, 13296AA050, 13296AA051, 13296AA090)</li><li>Toyota SU00306140 (supersedes SU003-06140, SU00300283, SU00304520)</li></ul><p>They work with factory rocker arms Subaru 13249AA250 and Toyota SU00300278.</p><p>Still not sure about your engine? Email <a href="mailto:sales@denstoj.com.au">sales@denstoj.com.au</a> with your car, engine and any modifications, and we&apos;ll confirm fitment before you buy.</p>

Which vehicles does the FA/FB Rocker Retainer Kit fit?

One kit does both cylinder heads: 16 Denstoj pivots and 16 Rocker Retainer clips. You reuse your factory rocker arms.

<p>One kit does the whole engine: every intake and exhaust valve on both cylinder heads.</p>
<ul>
<li>16 x Denstoj pivots (machined, then hardened)</li>
<li>16 x Denstoj Rocker Retainer clips (heat-treated high-carbon steel)</li>
</ul>
<p>You reuse your factory rocker arms.</p>
<h3 id="why-the-pivots-have-to-be-replaced">Why the pivots have to be replaced</h3>
<p>The factory pivots have no groove for a clip to locate in, so the clip won&apos;t work on them.</p>
<h3 id="can-i-just-machine-a-groove-into-my-factory-pivots">Can I just machine a groove into my factory pivots?</h3>
<p>We strongly advise against it:</p>
<ul>
<li>The factory pivot doesn&apos;t have enough wall thickness for the groove geometry.</li>
<li>Cutting through the hardened surface exposes softer steel underneath. Our pivots are machined first, then hardened.</li>
<li>The ramp angle matters. The clip should only engage when a rocker tries to dislodge, never in normal running. A slightly wrong groove either catches the rocker or doesn&apos;t hold it.</li>
</ul>
<p>By the time you&apos;ve paid for accurate machining of hardened steel, you&apos;re close to the cost of the kit.</p>
<h3 id="can-i-buy-clips-on-their-own">Can I buy clips on their own?</h3>
<p>Not as a standalone product, because they only work with our pivots. See <strong>Can I buy the clips separately?</strong></p>

What's included in the FA/FB kit?

We recommend it. On a boxer engine the cylinder heads are hard to reach in the car. Once the engine is out, the kit takes about an hour per side.

<p>We recommend it. On a boxer engine the cylinder heads sit low on either side, with very little working room, and the risk of dropping parts into the head is much higher with the engine in the car.</p><ul><li>It&apos;s easiest to remove the engine and gearbox together.</li><li>You can remove the rocker covers without taking off the front timing chain cover.</li><li>Once the engine is out, allow <strong>about an hour per side</strong> to fit the kit, depending on how long setting clearances takes.</li><li>Our <a href="https://denstoj.com.au/products/denstoj-engine-lift-bracket-for-fa-fb-subaru-engine">Engine Lift Bracket</a> gives you a proper front lifting point (engine only, without the gearbox).</li></ul><h3 id="whens-the-best-time-to-do-it">When&apos;s the best time to do it?</h3><p>Any time the engine is coming out anyway. An engine rebuild, clutch job or spark plug change are all good opportunities.</p><p>If you&apos;re rebuilding an FA or FB engine, don&apos;t put it back together without Rocker Retainers. Losing a fresh build to a dropped rocker is devastating.</p><p>While it&apos;s out, it&apos;s worth doing a service: oil, oil filter, tappet cover gaskets and spark plugs.</p>

Do I need to remove the engine to fit the FA/FB kit?

Take the engine out, check clearances, swap the factory pivots for ours, refit the rockers, recheck clearances, then fit the clips tight to each rocker. Allow about an hour per side.

<p>These steps are for the <strong>FA/FB Rocker Retainer Kit</strong> on Subaru FA and FB engines, including the Toyota 86, GR86 and Subaru BRZ.</p>
<h3 id="before-you-start">Before you start</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Take the engine out.</strong> We recommend it on a boxer engine. See <strong>Do I need to remove the engine to fit the FA/FB kit?</strong></li>
<li>Once the engine is out, allow <strong>about an hour per side</strong>, depending on how long setting clearances takes.</li>
<li>Watch the <a href="https://denstoj.com.au/pages/rocker-retainer-install-videos#fa-fb">FA/FB install videos</a> first, including the one on clip fitment.</li>
<li>Have feeler gauges ready, and cover any openings in the head so nothing can drop in.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="steps">Steps</h3>
<ol>
<li><strong>Check valve clearances</strong> before you remove the original rockers and pivots, and note them down.</li>
<li><strong>Remove the rockers</strong> by pushing them to the side. They&apos;ll come off.</li>
<li><strong>Remove the factory pivots.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Install the Denstoj pivots.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Refit the rockers.</strong> Your factory rocker arms are reused.</li>
<li><strong>Check clearances again</strong> and adjust if needed. See <strong>What are the FA20 valve clearance specs?</strong></li>
<li><strong>Fit the clips.</strong></li>
</ol>
<h3 id="getting-the-clips-right">Getting the clips right</h3>
<p>Each clip must sit <strong>tight on the rocker, especially at the bottom of the pivot</strong>, so it never contacts the pivot in the rocker&apos;s normal range of motion. This is the most important step. Watch the clip fitment video before you fit them.</p>
<h3 id="while-its-apart">While it&apos;s apart</h3>
<p>It&apos;s worth doing a service: oil, oil filter, tappet cover gaskets and spark plugs.</p>
<p>Full written steps are on our <a href="https://denstoj.com.au/pages/fitting-instructions-for-rocker-retainer-kit-on-fa-and-fb-subaru-engine">FA/FB fitting instructions</a> page, and our <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ld78m5UFX5meDGyf2uukR9JtfcJP9cHZLUvrdrSbaMA/edit?usp=sharing">FA20 valve adjustment worksheet</a> helps you work out shim sizes.</p>
<p>Something doesn&apos;t look right? Stop before running the engine and email <a href="mailto:support@denstoj.com.au">support@denstoj.com.au</a> with photos and your order number.</p>
<p>Our warranty only covers parts installed by a qualified tradesperson. See <strong>What does your warranty cover?</strong></p>
<p>Near Newcastle, NSW? We can install it for you. See <strong>Can Denstoj install the kit for me?</strong></p>

How do I install the FA/FB kit?

Intake 0.10 to 0.16 mm, exhaust 0.21 to 0.27 mm, checked cold. Our kit doesn't change the specs, the procedure or the service interval.

<p>Subaru FA20 valve clearance, checked with the engine <strong>cold</strong>:</p><table><thead><tr><th>Valve</th><th>Factory spec</th><th>What we usually set</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Intake</td><td>0.10 to 0.16 mm</td><td>0.15 mm (6 thou)</td></tr><tr><td>Exhaust</td><td>0.21 to 0.27 mm</td><td>0.25 mm (10 thou)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br>We set clearances towards the looser end for good valve seating and cooling. Anywhere within spec is fine.</p><h3 id="does-the-rocker-retainer-kit-change-anything">Does the Rocker Retainer Kit change anything?</h3><p>No. Our pivots are a direct replacement for the factory parts, so the adjustment procedure and specs are the same. Clearance is set with the bucket (shim) on top of the valve stem, available from your Toyota or Subaru dealer. FA and FB engines don&apos;t use hydraulic lash adjusters.</p><h3 id="how-often-should-clearances-be-checked">How often should clearances be checked?</h3><p>The interval doesn&apos;t change with our kit. Under normal driving we recommend a check every 30,000 to 40,000 km. Track cars should be checked more often.</p><p>Our step-by-step <a href="https://denstoj.com.au/pages/fitting-instructions-for-rocker-retainer-kit-on-fa-and-fb-subaru-engine">FA/FB fitting instructions</a> cover the full procedure, and our <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ld78m5UFX5meDGyf2uukR9JtfcJP9cHZLUvrdrSbaMA/edit?usp=sharing">FA20 valve adjustment worksheet</a> helps you work out shim sizes.</p>

What are the FA20 valve clearance specs?

No, not when they're installed correctly. The clip doesn't touch the pivot in normal running. It only engages if the rocker tries to lift off.

<p>No, not when they&apos;re installed correctly.</p>
<p>The groove in our pivot or lash adjuster is narrow in the middle, where the rocker and clip normally operate, and wider at the top. In normal running the clip doesn&apos;t contact the pivot at all. It only engages if the rocker loses spring pressure and tries to lift off.</p>
<p>The clips are designed to last as long as the rest of your valvetrain. BMW uses a similar system on the B58 in the GR Supra, which doesn&apos;t tick.</p>
<h3 id="what-causes-wear">What causes wear</h3>
<p>The only wear issue we&apos;ve seen came from a clip that wasn&apos;t fitted tightly enough to the rocker, so it rubbed against the pivot. We&apos;ve since redesigned the pivot to remove the shoulder it wore against, and we&apos;ve published a video showing correct clip fitment.</p>
<p>Valve clearances still need to be set correctly as part of a normal build and maintenance schedule.</p>
<p>Hearing a tick after installation? Stop driving and email <a href="mailto:support@denstoj.com.au">support@denstoj.com.au</a> with a video of the noise and photos of the installed clips.</p>

Will Rocker Retainer clips cause ticking or extra wear?

Yes. We install the FA/FB kit at our Newcastle, NSW workshop. An 86 or BRZ install with a service is about $2,638 AUD and usually takes 1 to 2 days.

<p>Yes. Our workshop in Carrington, Newcastle NSW installs the FA/FB Rocker Retainer Kit on the Toyota 86, GR86, Subaru BRZ and other FA and FB engines.</p>
<h3 id="what-we-do">What we do</h3>
<ol>
<li>Remove the engine</li>
<li>Remove the rocker covers and check valve clearances</li>
<li>Install the Rocker Retainer Kit</li>
<li>Service and inspect: oil, oil filter, tappet cover gaskets and spark plugs</li>
<li>Reinstall the engine and road test the car</li>
</ol>
<h3 id="how-much-does-it-cost">How much does it cost?</h3>
<p>For a Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ, including the kit and a full service, the <strong>estimated total is $2,638 AUD</strong>. Other FA and FB vehicles are quoted individually. Prices are subject to change, so we&apos;ll confirm your quote when you book. <a href="https://denstoj.com.au/products/install-fa-fb-denstoj-rocker-retainer-kit-in-toyota-86-subaru-brz">See the full quote breakdown.</a></p>
<h3 id="how-long-does-it-take">How long does it take?</h3>
<p>The job itself usually takes 1 to 2 days, but allow up to a week depending on our workshop availability.</p>
<h3 id="book-in">Book in</h3>
<p>Email <a href="mailto:info@denstoj.com.au">info@denstoj.com.au</a> with your vehicle details and preferred dates, or message us on <a href="https://wa.me/61490107087">WhatsApp</a>. We reply within 24 hours, Monday to Friday (excluding Australian public holidays).</p>
<p>Want to do it yourself instead? Buy the kit online and ask us for the matching service parts.</p>

Can Denstoj install the kit for me?

After Rocker Retainers: an engine oil cooler, an oil pan baffle, quality oil (we run Fuchs 5W-30 full synthetic) and correct valve clearance. Going forced induction? Consider forged pistons and billet rods.

<p>Rocker Retainers reduce the risk of the rocker failure FA and FB engines are known for. These lower-cost upgrades are what we&apos;d look at next on an FA20 or FA24.</p><h3 id="our-recommendations">Our recommendations</h3><ul><li><strong>Engine oil cooler kit:</strong> helps keep oil temperatures under control, especially on track</li><li><strong>Oil pan baffle kit:</strong> helps keep oil around the pickup under hard cornering and braking</li><li><strong>Quality oil:</strong> we run Fuchs 5W-30 full synthetic in our FA20 engines, in both daily drivers and track cars</li><li><strong>Correct valve clearance:</strong> see <strong>What are the FA20 valve clearance specs?</strong></li></ul><h3 id="adding-a-turbo-or-supercharger">Adding a turbo or supercharger?</h3><p>If you&apos;re going forced induction and you&apos;re willing to pull the engine down, forged pistons and billet connecting rods are worth considering.</p><h3 id="what-breaks-after-the-rockers">What breaks after the rockers?</h3><p>On a big over-rev, the connecting rods are the next weakest link. On a naturally aspirated FA20, a rod failure is unlikely.</p>

What other upgrades help protect an FA20 or FA24 engine?

denstoj

Rocker retainers for Subaru FA and FB engines: fitment, installation, valve clearances and our install service.

Toyota 86/GR86, Subaru BRZ, WRX + more (FA/FB)