need outback axle... oops

V

Vecken

New member
Went to replace my ball joints and I had the swaybar disconnected so when it finally popped loose it took the axle with it yanking it out of the cv joint by the transmission, I did my best to line it back up and reseal the boot but now it is vibrating pretty badly above 60. I am fairly certain the axle is the original one with 240k miles on it. Is this repairable? And does anyone have a driver's side front axle for a first generation outback 5 speed?

Only remaining part I need is the gas tank filler pipe and this car is done (for now)

 
Did you put it back together with new CV grease?

I'd take it apart, take all the balls out of the cage (if it's a DOJ, otherwise you have an SFJ with the rollers). Clean everything up really well.

There should be a snap ring around the outside of the cup. Get rid of it. At this point it's been ruined. Make sure there are no pieces of it in the joint.

You NEED to use molybdenum cv axle grease, it's about $12 a tube at napa. Then put it back together with a new boot. You don't need the outer snap ring, that's only to hold the joint together when it's being stored and installed. Just be careful not to extend it enough to fall apart while re-installing it. In normal operation, it shouldn't extend enough to hit the snap ring.

All the ones on my car are missing that part because I've fixed them on the side of the road...

 
Ok so its not completely destroyed yet? I have less than a hundred miles on the way it is now. It must have yanked it past the snap ring when the ball joint let go. I did a rear axle once and that was the ball style which had to be aligned perfectly for it to fit back together. Is there a specific orientation for the front ones?

 
I never keep track of which balls go where, and what orientation. I've never had a problem with it. The best thing is to take the balls and cage completely apart, make sure everything is spotless, and put it back together with new grease and a new boot.

You probably didn't ruin it, check for scoring on the races. The oem axles are pretty durable.

You could also just get a new one or junk yard one, rebuild that as a spare.

With the stub shafts on the transmission, you can use axles on either side.

Only the male axles are side specific.

 
The end that separated was the SFJ closer to the transmission, not by the wheel bearing with the balls. When it came apart it looked like 3 roller bearings. The boot has a tear anyways so I may just get a rebuild kit (already have the grease). It seemed like orientation did not matter so I just moved the knuckle and slid the whole joint back together and re clamped the boot. If anyone has one laying around I would rather just replace it as that is a 20 minute replacement compared to a full rebuild.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
The older ones (and some random models, it seems) used a DOJ on the inside. It has 6 balls in it. The outer one is a CV, and that always has balls.

Once the SFJ comes apart completely, you have to get them back together right or they get upset with life. They're less forgiving.

 
That may explain the vibration and pulling. Is there a diagram or instructions to properly service the SFJ? I was unable to find the boots at parts stores for the inner part of the shaft. can I use a silicone to seal the small cut?

 
It's a bandaid. I've used window sealer in a pinch. put the hole on top, fill it up with grease through the hole. Brake clean or something to get everything nice and clean. and give it time to set. It's a hack, though. Just for getting you home, or till you get the replacement in the mail.

 
Ah, I guess that brings me back to my original question, does anyone have a shaft in a parts car? I can remove it as I would prefer to use OEM.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top