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Front Axle: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Subaru Baja. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Disconnect ground cable from battery.
  2. Jack-up vehicle, support it with safety stands, and remove front wheels.
  3. Unlock axle nut.
    Fig 1: Unlocking Axle Nut
    G03751610Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  4. Remove axle nut while depressing brake pedal to prevent front drive shaft from turning.
    CAUTION: Be sure to loose and retighten axle nut after removing wheel from vehicle. Failure to follow this rule may damage wheel bearings.
  5. Remove stabilizer link.
    Fig 2: Removing Stabilizer Link
    G03751611Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  6. Remove disc brake caliper from housing, and suspend it from strut using a wire.
  7. Remove disc rotor from hub

    If disc rotor seizes up within hub, drive disc rotor out by installing an 8-mm bolt in screw hole on the rotor.

    Fig 3: Removing Disc Rotor From Hub
    G03751612Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  8. Remove cotter pin and castle nut which secure tie-rod end to housing knuckle arm.
    Fig 4: Removing Cotter Pin And Castle Nut Which Secure Tie-Rod End To Housing Knuckle Arm
    G03751613Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  9. Using a puller, remove tie-rod ball joint from knuckle arm.
    Fig 5: Removing Tie-Rod Ball Joint From Knuckle Arm
    G03751614Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  10. Remove ABS sensor assembly and harness.
    Fig 6: Locating ABS Sensor Assembly And Harness
    G03751615Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  11. Remove bolt which secures sensor harness to strut.
    Fig 7: Removing Bolt Which Secures Sensor Harness To Strut
    G03751616Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  12. Remove transverse link ball joint from housing.
    Fig 8: Removing Transverse Link Ball Joint From Housing
    G03751617Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  13. Remove inner joint from transmission spindle.
    CAUTION: Do not pull inner joint when removing front drive shaft.
  14. Remove front drive shaft assembly from hub. If it is hard to remove, use STs.

    ST1 926470000 AXLE SHAFT PULLER

    ST2 927140000 PLATE

    CAUTION:
    • Be careful not to damage oil seal lip and tone wheel when removing front drive shaft.
    • If front drive shaft is removed, replace inner oil seal with new one.
    Fig 9: Removing Front Drive Shaft Assembly From Hub
    G03751618Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  15. After scribing an alignment mark on camber adjusting bolt head, remove bolts which connect housing and strut, and disconnect housing from strut.
    Fig 10: Removing Bolts Which Connect Housing And Strut
    G03751619Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
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