replacing front axles

[Mac]

well I put off having it done/doing it and now I've parked my 91 Legacy awd
with bad cv joints.

I'd change them myself but am concerned about the "special tools" referred
to.

It looks like the tool to pull the hub off the axle is a straightforward
puller.

but what is the thing used to press the hub back onto the axle?

The dealer wants nearly $200 each for axles (new) but I saw a site offering
"factory rebuilt" for about half that with $65 core charge.

I see aftermarket "new" axles for $75 or so, and aftermarket "rebuilt" in
the $50s.

My subie is at 230,000 miles and when it finally gives out I'll just replace
it with something else, so price is a bit important.

what's the wisdom here?

TIA

 

[Rick Courtright]

but what is the thing used to press the hub back onto the axle?

With a little ingenuity, a coupla extra washers and a short bit of pipe
you can make a setup that will pull the axle back thru the hub. Takes a
bit of time at first to figure what you need, but it's not hard.

The dealer wants nearly $200 each for axles (new) but I saw a site offering
"factory rebuilt" for about half that with $65 core charge.

I see aftermarket "new" axles for $75 or so, and aftermarket "rebuilt" in
the $50s.

You said you'd just replace the car when it's tired, so I don't know
what exactly your "interim" budget is, but my experience with rebuilds
from non-Subie sources is they're not worth the price of the box they're
shipped in, though I know some here have done ok with them. I've not
seen "factory new" around here, so I'd go with the dealer item after
explaining you are on a budget and the sale depends on his price. They
ran $135 ea. for mine... Subaru OEM "remanufactured," and were well
worth it after taking back THREE $75 axles that didn't fit (improperly
marked, wrong number of splines) and losing a week or better trading the
other ones.

My subie is at 230,000 miles and when it finally gives out I'll just replace
it with something else, so price is a bit important.

Don't know what the rest of your car's like, but if it's just axles that
need attention, you might have a few more miles left! My '90 Loyale's at
355k miles right now... and I think the Legacy's a bit stronger car.

Rick

 

[Mac Townsend]

That is certainly encouraging!

Maybe I'll have the rubber band replaced after all (about 80-90,000
miles on it now)<G>

Don't know what the rest of your car's like, but if it's just axles
that need attention, you might have a few more miles left! My '90
Loyale's at 355k miles right now... and I think the Legacy's a bit
stronger car.

Factory-branded rebuilt would be my preference. Think I'll investigate
the source a little more.

<<Subaru OEM "remanufactured," and were well
worth it after taking back THREE $75 axles that didn't fit (improperly
marked, wrong number of sp>>

 

[Christopher]

I replaced the transaxle in my 1995 Subaru Legacy L and it when pretty
well. I had a really hard time removing the shaft from the hub
assembly. I tried everything and finally unbolted the hub from the
strut assembly and took it to Pep Boys and had them press it out for
around $30.

About buying OEM Subaru Axles. I would. I bought a rebuilt shaft
from the local auto parts store and I am beginning to suspect that the
inner CV joint is bad. It clunks or thunks whenever I turn a corner.
I suggest giving the OEM route a shot.