Intro

[airbox]

Hey everyone, just bought an 04 Baja Turbo (silver) in Portland, OR. I just moved to Everett, WA from Arkansas. Ive been stationed at the CG unit at Naval Station Everett. I love the Baja and am learning alot about it (very new technology to me), but it has a cv joint problem. It really snaps as I turn the wheel in parking lots or stop lights. I've concluded its the right front cv joint since the boot is ripped. Anyone from the Seattle area? Anyways I love the truck and look forward to putting more miles on it.

My connection wont let me post pics, i'll get them on asap.

[theluckyone17]

I've replaced quite a few axles (half-shafts) over the years. It's pretty easy if you've done it before, and you've got a good spot to work in. Granted, they were on my Loyale and two OBW's, but the Baja should be nearly the same.

Are you looking to get it replaced yourself, or are you going to take it in somewhere?

[airbox]

I've replaced quite a few axles (half-shafts) over the years. It's pretty easy if you've done it before, and you've got a good spot to work in. Granted, they were on my Loyale and two OBW's, but the Baja should be nearly the same.

Are you looking to get it replaced yourself, or are you going to take it in somewhere?

I can replace it myself, I've done it to other models of cars. However, Ive heard that they have a snapping mechanism that the axle snaps into. Is it difficult to snap in the axle? Also should i replace the other axle? The driver side shaft/cv/boot is fine. Can anyone recommend where to get a decent priced cv replacement? Guess I should search. Thanks for any help.

[theluckyone17]

edrach over on the USMB had a pretty good write-up on swapping out axles: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/sho ... hp?t=75785. The guide's for the early EJ series, but it's held true for my Soobies.

As far as my axle swaps have gone, there's no snapping mechanism. The axle's held in by the castle nut on the hub assembly, plus a spring pin on the tranny stub. A 3/16" drift pin knocks the spring pin out, if I remember right. Watch the spring pin holes, too... if one side of the hole is beveled, knock the pin out from the other (unbeveled). You shouldn't have to drop the hub, either... just mark the position of the upper bolt (adjusts the camber), and remove it, while loosening the bottom. Rotating the hub should give you enough room to pull the axle out.

[twheats1]

The Baja's do NOT use a spring pin on the axle shaft at the transmission output shaft. The axles "snap" into the trans like the STI axles do.

[theluckyone17]

I learned something new today .

How's this snapping mechanism work... or more to the point, what do you have to do to release it?

[Emsanon]

Hi Airbox! And welcome to Scoobytruck!

[Emsanon]

I learned something new today .

How's this snapping mechanism work... or more to the point, what do you have to do to release it?

Yeah, I'm always learning something new from this place.

[theluckyone17]

Works for me... I'm always up for improving my knowledge. Wouldn't be the first time I've ate humble pie, and I bet it won't be the last, either. Goes good with ketchup .

Anywho, this snapping/clipping mechanism... is it anything like what's described at http://www.iwsti.com/forums/how-install ... -axle.html ? If so... I'll miss the spring pins. Bet you the first time I do an axle swap on my future Baja, I booger those seals...

[twheats1]

I learned something new today .

How's this snapping mechanism work... or more to the point, what do you have to do to release it?

Big pry bar! I'm serious, just a pry bar between the trans and the axle shaft. Then you just slam the new one in.

[twheats1]

OP FYI, be aware that the turbo Bajas (at least the manual trans) uses the same front axles as the Forester XT. Most after market parts listings don't show that and you will get axles with the "spring pin" instead of being the "snap in" type.

Some of us have learned this the hard way.