I am changing the axle out of a 98 forrester (drivers side ) and had a few q's

1. by pulling the bolts off the front knuckle will i need to have it realined?

2. do i need to do both axles at once?

Thanks for any light you may be able to shine on the subject

Loosen the bottom bolt on the knuckle, and remove the top one. The top bolt is cammed, and there should be marks on the bolt and knuckle. Otherwise, paint a line and re-alighn that mark when re-installing. I do axles myself, eyeball alignment, works well for me. 

 

You can do one axle at a time. Both left and right axles are interchangeable. 

1.  reboot your axle if it's a SUbaru axle (green inner cup), don't replace it.

2.  buy a used Subaru axle and reboot it

 

do not replace with aftermarket.  if you're unsure why, google or serach any subaru forum about aftermarket axles.  very unreliable and issue prone waste of time.

 

+1 to miles comments.

alignment not necessary if you pay attention. 

mark the top bolt "head" (not the nut).  that will retain alignment. mark with a marker like he said or sometimes i use a hammer and chisel and strike a notch into the head and knuckle at the same place.

Thanks worked like a charm