Dolladave

On the road again and is running smooth as silk. I'm sure glad I found this forum and special thanks to Elite Master-idosubaru!

I should get it off the jacks when I get home from work, around 5:00 p.m. I'll let you know how it goes.

I got lucky on this one, I didn't have to remove the plate. The Subaru dealer mechanic said they changed the design and that I could remove the seal from the front. He was correct. I think they changed it when they made the shaft that fits the transmission part of the axle. (male end) The short stubby shaft trick worked. I pop out the old seal and put in a 2001 seal in the 2006 transmission. I then went back to the 2001 female axle with the short stubby. One side down and one to go. Looks like this is going to work. Thanks for keeping up with the forum. DD

I'm going to try to get at it again today. I had family in from out of town over the week end and didn't much done. I see what your saying about breaking off the tabs. A guy on you-tube broke one off while he was videoing the procedure. I also am going to have to get the plate seals. Thanks for your info, it's been most educating.

New dilemma. I'm going to have to change the seal as GeneralDisorder said I might. The outside diameter is the same, which is a good thing, but the 2006 has a high point on the back of the shaft at the knuckle housing. The 2001 stubby axle is straight and has no high point. The gear splines and diameter are a match between the two so I just need to swap the seal. QUESTION Can this seal be taken out from the outside of the differential or do I have to take the differential off and do it from inside out. From what I can tell from you tube I believe it can come out from the outside on this model but I'd rather hear it from the experts. Any help is much appreciated. Dave

I had to order the damn things from the dealer. $67.23 a pop (robbery without a gun) Part # 38415AA070 Hope to have them today. I'll keep you posted. Thanks

Cool, I'm going to start looking for the axle stubs now. Thanks again.

Wow I really do appreciate this information. Is there any thing I should know about putting the stub back in. I noticed the stub has a retaining ring at the end of the shaft. Does that pop back in by force or is there a certain procedure?

Guys I appreciate your help. It at least this gives me something new to try. I'll have to try and find another 2001 stubby because the transmission got trashed. I didn't know the stubby from the 2001 could come out.

The 2006 stubby shaft will not fit onto the 2001 axle. I tried that already

The 2001 axle is a female end and cant connect to the 2006 trans. 2006 trans needs the male end. I tried to put the 2006 male end unto 2001 axle but they are not interchangable

It was a 2006 Outback

The 2006 axle wont work on the 2001 wheel assembly. I must use the 2006 axle. Can I replace the 2001 wheel assembly with a 2006 wheel assembly in order to get the axles to fit?