lyter1983

I think that would have been impossible with it on the ground... I have the whole car up on blocks. But the Legacy struts/steering knuckles are an inch or so longer from strut top plate to lower ball joint. It appears to me like a half inch to an inch longer control arms would make the strut sit in the right position with the ball joint at less of an angle. And if the xt6 or ea82 control arms are just that much longer and have the larger ball joint taper, it would make my life a little easier. If it means making a one or two inch lift for the back to make it sit right, that looks like some thing I could manage. Just a few steel spacers and maybe some longer shocks.

What's the difference in length Between the ea81, ea82 and xt6 lower control arms? I can't find any of there lengths. except the ea81 arms on my Brat.. I put the struts and steering knuckles into the brat today but it seems like my lower control arms could use to be an inch or so longer to get the right alignment with the knuckle.

I miss my RX turbo...

I hate to sound like an ignorant child with all these questions but I've learned more on this site in the last month than I was able to learn in the last 2 yrs of internet research I've done. I am curios about the front control arms. I've read a lot about people having to use the front control arms from an xt6. Is that just because of the lower ball joint not fitting? Or is it more about length and positioning?

right, but you said races only for outer(hub side) correct? What about the tranny side? The cup on the tranny side of the legacy axle is nothing like the other races. It has 3 circular bearings instead of the 6 bearing star race..

ok. That sounds promising. So I would use the Brat's rear differential. How about the front? I was planning on using the Legacy 5spd full time AWD transmission, the Legacy steering knuckles and 5 lug hubs. How can I make cv axles the correct length with the correct ends?

And as far as the rear differential goes. This kinda surprised me. The Brat rear diff has splined shafts that protrude from it, the Legacy rear cv axle ends have the splined shafts that insert into the Legacy rear diff. Will I need to use the rear diff from the Brat with the xt6 rear stub axles? From the pictures I've found of the xt6 stub axles, they appear to have the same ends as the Brat cv axles. From what I've found so far in my research, both the Brat and Legacy rear diffs are 3.900's. Not sure if there is a difference between the two, I don't know much of anything about rear differentials.

I have 6 or 7 extra Brat cv axles that I have now taken apart but none of the bars fit the Legacy races. The first 2 I took apart, the bar a larger diameter. Some have the right diameter as the Legacy races but different spline counts. I have large diameter Brat bars with 23 spline count, smaller Brat bars with 23 spline count and Legacy bars(same diameter as small Brat bars) have 25 spline count. Is there a 3rd Brat bar with the small diameter and 25 spline count?

ok. Let me know as soon as they are ready. The sooner the better! I'm driving my bosses chevy 1500 and it eats gas...

I don't doubt you at all, I'm just trying to get informed. I just want my Brat back on the road.. Starting to think I bit off more than I can chew

Are you making inner and outer races? I haven't taken the outer race apart yet. not sure if it will fit on the brat bar?

What type of cv axle will I need to use with the Legacy transmission and front hubs? I tried to take the ends off the Legacy axles and put them on the bars of the brat axles but the insides are different. I'm not sure of all the terminology so if you could fill me in on what the name of these pieces that would be much appreciated and very helpful. Is this the race?

Thank you soooo much for this link! I don't know how I didn't find it myself.. I've been searching 6+hrs a night. I've already gotten 3 quotes that sound affordable!

If it works, I will have the exact diameters to have a new Legacy hubs machined to fit. And the lengths to cut new cv axles to. Or just rebuild the cv axles now that I have learned how.

I have a machinist friend who says that he can cut, slightly taper(for a stronger weld) and weld the Legacy cv axles to the proper length. Once I get the rear diff back in place, I can get a proper measurement from diff to hub. As for the back plates, rotors and calipers, I'm going to drill holes in the Legacy back plates to line up with the threaded holes on the Brat knuckle. That way I can use the Legacy rotors and calipers. Since I'm using the Legacy transmission and front steering knuckle, I need the Legacy front cv axles shortened as well. So tomorrow my goal is to get the engine, tranny and rear diff mounted up so that I can take my measurements. Then I will give him the 4 cv axles, the rear hubs and the rear wheel bearings with some numbers and hope he can work his magic.

5 lug Legacy hub. about 1 7/16ths outer diameter. about 1 inch inner diameter. 5 lug Legacy hub with Brat rear wheel bearing placed on top About 1 3/8 inch inner diameter. Since I'm not having any luck finding affordable xt6 hubs. ($550 seems kinda steep...), I am considering having these Legacy hubs machined down to fit into the Brat wheel bearings. Is 3/8 inch enough thickness to be considered safe? I figure if its pressed into the bearing and the cv axle meant for the hub in side, it shouldn't need to be too thick right?? Does anyone have an input? Thanks

Any one know where I can find 5 lug xt hubs??? I'm going to continue my search but I'm not having any luck so far. Probably gonna have to go junk yard hopping huh?

Nevermind... should have done more research on that one. dur

On a side note.. Is a 98 Legacy a generation 1 or 2?

What cv axle would I use for those hubs? What cv axles would I use for the xt6 hubs? I know the Brat cv axles are 23 spline and legacy are 25 but with a smaller diameter, but unfamiliar with the xt's.

I have an 86 Brat. I bought a 98 Legacy 2.2 AWD 5spd to use as a donor car. I have both engines, transmissions, differentials, cv axles, hubs and drive shafts out of both vehicles. I know of the modifications I have to make to get the engine and tranny to fit, like drilling out the holes for the engine mounts, shortening the shift linkage and making room for the radiators. I have the entire wiring harness out of the legacy and have started to thin it down to what I need. I have someone to cut and weld my cv axles to the correct length. But I ran into a problem today. The rear 5 lug hubs from my 98 Legacy do not fit into the rear wheel bearings of the 86 Brat. The rear wheel bearings from the Legacy do not fit into the rear knuckle of the Brat. I am taking the whole steering knuckle and hub from the front so the front isn't a problem. But I can't use the rear knuckles because the rear suspension is completely different. I don't want to be stuck with 4 lug in the back and 5 lug in the front. I'm wondering if the 5 lug hub from an XT would fit in the rear wheel bearings of the Brat? If not, how would I go about solving this problem? Thanks Mike

Sweet! Thanks GD!

Awesome!!! I'm so glad I found this site! Thanks!

Thanks! Good to know because I believe these were 98 wrx rims. I shall change my search.

I'm doing an ea to ej swap using a 98 legacy 2.2 5spd awd. I don't know how much of a difference there is in the wiring diagram, but I'm a visual learner so any pictures/diagrams would help. Especially pics/diagrams of simplified harness. I've swapped an ea81 with 4spd d/r out and into this brat but this is my first time with an "upgrade" I plan to use as much as I can off the legacy, so any advice is welcome and appreciated! Thanks Mike