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Front Axle: Removal

  1. Lift up the vehicle, and then remove the front wheels.
  2. Lift the crimped section of axle nut.
    Fig 1: Lifting Crimped Section Of Axle Nut
    G05032588Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  3. 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 hub bearings.
  4. Remove the stabilizer link.
    Fig 2: Locating Stabilizer Link Bolt And Nut
    G07680192Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  5. Remove the disc brake caliper from the housing, and suspend it from strut using a wire.
  6. Remove the disc rotor from the hub.
    NOTE: If it is difficult to remove the disc rotor from the hub, drive the 8 mm bolt into the threaded end of rotor, and then remove the rotor.
    Fig 3: Locating Threaded End Of Rotor
    G05032590Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  7. Remove the cotter pin and castle nut securing the tie-rod end to the housing knuckle arm.
    Fig 4: Cotter Pin, Castle Nut And Tie-Rod
    G07680194Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  8. Using a puller, remove the tie-rod ball joint from knuckle arm.
    Fig 5: Removing Tie-Rod Ball Joint From Knuckle Arm Using Puller
    G05032592Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  9. Remove the front ABS wheel speed sensor.
    Fig 6: Front ABS Wheel Speed Sensor
    G07680196Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  10. Remove the bolts which secure the sensor harness to the strut.
    Fig 7: Locating Bolts Which Secure Sensor Harness To Strut
    G05343318Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  11. Remove the front arm ball joint from the housing.
    Fig 8: Front Arm Ball Joint Bolt
    G05343319Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  12. Remove the front drive shaft from the transmission.
  13. Remove the front drive shaft assembly from the hub. If it is hard to remove, use the ST.

    ST1 926470000 AXLE SHAFT PULLER

    ST2 28099PA110 AXLE SHAFT PULLER PLATE

    Fig 9: Removing Front Drive Shaft Assembly From Hub Using ST
    G05032595Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  14. After scribing an alignment mark on camber adjusting bolt head, remove the bolts which connect the housing and strut, and disconnect the housing from strut.
    Fig 10: Locating Bolts Which Connect Housing And Strut
    G05343321Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
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