idosubaru

i've never messed with CV joints before, but a member of the XT forum did a pretty neat "fix" to tighten up his axles: http://subaruxt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8956&hilit=axle

it's probably more exciting not seeing them, this thing aint pretty, it'd be a buzz kill to post pic's (and take time).

Chux - crack that's right, i was thinking hubs had to be swapped first. that's good news, I already have EJ axles ready to go. they're store boughts, doubt they're high quality. they definitely have that feel, i was wondering what that was. so that's a bad axle or the angle/length issue (or both)? really? did they make much noise before exploding? i'm wondering if they gave notice since i drive long distances i'd rather not have random failures. funny thing, i've had one brand new explode one day after installing.

i would like one of those if it didn't require removing the transmission and there was better feedback on reliability. i'm not interested in something that isn't worthy of a daily driver.

there's any number of things that could cause this. what engine? carb? FI? MPFI? mileage? recent tune up? have you check for spark? how loud is the fuel pump? plugs, wires, cap, rotor, air filter, vacuum leaks, any check engine lights? any recent work, what was the last check engine light?

thanks. pardon the newbness, i don't know much about lifts. EA82 axles are longer than XT6 axles? i was thinking it was all about angles, i wasn't even thinking about the length problem. maybe i'll convert to EJ front hubs and axles and see what that does. did yours make noise?

you should click on that link he posted.

hmmmm...i might be able to tolerate that. thanks.

Non-interference - no worries.

i don't know. i bolted extensions on top of the struts. XT6 doesn't have springs, it has air suspension, so i guess it's not a spring lift but same basic idea probably.

i'm not up on this stuff, but i recall a recent thread where folks talked about this not-ready stuff, you might try searching for that thread - it was this year sometime.

yes, two timing belts, both connected to the crank. the crank has two toothed sprockets that slide onto it. the drivers side belt goes around one, the passengers side belt goes around the other. so they're off set by the width of one belt. it's really simple once you look at it. thing is - keep in mine these belts are not lined up like modern belts so people do it wrong all the time. lots of cars are assumed to have bad problems when in reality the belts were just installed incorrectly. i'd like to know how many went to the scrap yard for that. if you're replacing them, get the ebay kits as they include all new pulleys. on EA engines, the pulleys are 20+ years old and devoid of grease by now. none are good at this point. or get new pulleys, bearings installed, something, just don't plan on resuing the old bearings.

so all you did was install new axles? i'm going to try that first as well.

I installed a 2" lift on my XT6 and the axles have some nice vibrations coming out of a turn. These are store bought aftermarkets (not my choice, on there when I bought it). Think MWE axles will do better? I have a set so I'll give them a try. I do have the spacers for the front to reduce the angle of the axles if I need to. How long before these things self-destruct? Can I at least drive it for a week or two to work before I get to fixing it?

Finished installing the 2" lift on the XT6 this morning. I had to deal with the air suspension lines and fittings. I only installed the strut extensions and I don't have any axle rubbing. I do have axle vibrations coming out of a turn. The XT6 I believe is already strained because the 4WD ones sit really high off the ground, probably higher than any stock EA vehicles. The axles though are new, but store bought aftermarket, so I don't trust them anyway. They were on there when I got the car. I've got a set of MWE axles I'm going to install. If they don't get rid of the vibration I'll install the rest of the front lift components. Actually I'll probably install those spacers for sure, just a matter of when. I was hoping to drive it like this for awhile since I'm rather busy right now.

actually i *think* i have an air hammer. but i have no idea what they are nor how to use them :lol: i may try pounding the stub shaft out, i'm not putting much time in it, i'll pay someone $50 to do it at this point, sounds like it's just going to be annoying working it.

i'm going to remove the large 36mm castle nut with a pin (on the outside of the hub), then pound the stubby shaft out. hope that's all i need to do, just remove one nut and that shaft comes out? i'm a bit leary as i've never taken apart hubs/bearings before, just want to make sure i don't ruin the bearings. if that axle doesn't come off, the stubby shaft will? it won't be frozen in there?

locked diff up front - would that have to be welded or is there another way?

do i just need to remove the 36mm "axle" (not really axle) nut and that's it for the spindle to come out? i'm not quite picturing it - except just remove the large nut (36mm), then push the spindle through the hub? do i need to mess with that pin socket? i have the subaru tool for it if i do.

ECU is not an item you would replace with a new unit anyway. They fail so rarely that it just doesn't make any sense. I'd be very surprised if your ECU failed (for no reason), but if it did just buy a used one for $50 or less.

never done it or messed with carbed stuff but i'd think you're fine. as long as all the EFI stuff gets hooked up properly then everything should work fine if you plug up the holes needed. you can't strip the block down, the carbed block actually has more "holes" in it than the other block? i've plugged EGR and other ports before, folks do it a lot.

i've heard nothing but horror stories so far. the XT guys are giving me some horrible feedback on their own dealings. i don't think it's coming out today. i'll probably leave mine for another day, i want to drive this car for now. i'll pound on it a bit more since it sat overnight and see what happens, but i doubt it's going anywhere. i was hoping there was some simple method even if it meant destroying the axle, i don't care about the axle at all...i actually want to destroy it now!!

(raises hand)..oh...oh...my turn, my turn! I couldn't find the threads i've read before about this. 1988 XT6 AWD manual. Almost zero rust, but the rear axle is seized onto the hub side stub. Generously drenced in PB Blaster . i wailed on it. i removed the caliper and bracket so i could get a more dead on hit with an enormously heavy digging bar. seems like penetrant won't work here, how's it really going to get where it needs to go? i pried the dust cover up and all. i'm trashing the axle so i don't care what happens to it. what are my options? reusing that joint by disassembling doesn't count, i don't do CV axle rebuilding...i think:-\ am i destroying my bearings by throwing a huge-o-normous digging bar at it olympic competition style? any best on how long that bearing lasts?

post in the parts wanted forum for another igniter (amplifier), someone will have one. as for the distributor/crank angle sensor. you could attempt to disassemble the distributor and sensor. Pull it apart, clean the slotted wheel and pick up that make up the crank position sensor inside the disty. Put it back together and it might work good as new. If a part is actually bad, post another thread in the parts wanted forum! They don't fail very often, so a used unit isn't a bad bet here. If you're worried about it, just buy two and hide the second one somewhere in the car! As for the module issue, i have no idea on that. Good luck.

So you didn't find any wires in place? I'm going to be doing the same thing to my Legacy - installing heated seats, mirrors, and fog lights so I'm curious what will be there or not. Post back what you find and I'll do the same, but mine probably won't be for awhile, I have a few other more important projects in the way.