ejmartin Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Changing out front right side axle on 86 gl wagon and wondered if it goes something like this.. remove wheel nut, pop out ball joint, slide out alxe and replace, then the same in reverse. Is there something else to it or anything I should replace while I'm in there?? Thanks in advance!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subarian Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 I've had to remove the radius arm and you should also be aware that your axle will fit on the trans stub 180 degrees out, but the wrist pin won't go in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 you'll need a 3/16's inch punch to take out the roll pin that holds the axle to that trans....other than that, you've got it. you might need to pound the axle out of the bearings. and you might need to take the disc hub off to pull the axle back through. but you shouldn't need to touch the radius rod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I've been able to do the replacement without ever dis-connecting the ball joint or radius arm. There was a write up on axle replacement in the old Repair Manual, maybe someone copied it and can re-post it so it can be put back into the USRM since this question comes up about once a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I actually JUST finished the job myself - I think it is more a matter of how much free space you want around your axle as you remove it - if the DOJ goes bad, it may not collapse all the way, resulting in you having to remove the radius rod and balljoint (balljoint comes out easier if you undo the pinch bolt up top) to get the space to remove the axle - the new one should not have this problem. anything else is strictly under your discression I had to replace my wheel bearings as well, so I removed the whole knuckle assembly; that is far more than you should need to do. Keep in mind, this all comes apart and goes back together in a straitforward manner, so I would not be afraid of tearing into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torxxx Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 No need to take off the bottom ball joint. just unbolt the strut from the knuckle assembly. There will be more than enough room to push the axle through the knuckle with just the strut unhooked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballitch Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 and since the camber on these cars is NOT-adjustable, you dont have to worry about an alignment afterwards. ~Josh~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torxxx Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 thank you for agreeing that the alignment is not affected by doing an axle by unbolting the strut. It is the cheapest way. You start undoing tierods and balljoints and you'll end up replacing those parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenw22 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 When I've done axles in the past, I've found that the easiest way is to just pop the ball joint out of the knuckle. With the way things tend to rust together up here, it keeps the frustration level to a minimum. Don't worry, driving a subaru will give you plenty of experience changing axles. You can try lots of different methods and figure out which one is your favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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