Rear Axle: Removal

Disconnect the ground cable from the battery.
Lift-up the vehicle, and then remove the rear wheels.
Lift the crimped section of axle nut.

Fig 1: Lifting Crimped Section Of Axle Nut
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the axle nut using a socket wrench while depressing the brake pedal.
CAUTION: Remove the wheel before loosening the axle nut. Failure to follow this rule may damage the wheel bearings.
Remove the parking brake cable from parking brake assembly. < Refer to REMOVAL , Parking Brake Assembly (Rear Disc Brake). >
Remove the rear ABS wheel speed sensor.

Fig 2: Identifying Rear ABS Wheel Speed Sensor
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the snap pin and nut from the front lateral link.

Fig 3: Identifying Snap Pin
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Using a puller, separate the rear housing and ball joint.

Fig 4: Identifying Rear Housing And Ball Joint Using Puller
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Detach the upper arm, trailing link, and rear lateral link from the rear housing.

Fig 5: Identifying Trailing Link And Rear Lateral Link Bolts
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear axle.
NOTE: If it is hard to remove, use the ST.

ST1 926470000 AXLE SHAFT PULLER

ST2 28099PA110 AXLE SHAFT PULLER PLATE

Fig 6: Removing Rear Axle Using Axle Shaft Puller ST1 926470000
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.