Hi all

Going to be doing the front struts and thought it would be a good time to

change out the clicking front axle while I had it apart.

 

So now for the question...

It's clicking on left turns...so is it going to be the right axle? or is it the left one?

 

The car: 2006 outback H6

 

Any help would be much appreciated 

Probably the axle with the torn boot but why not just replace both and be done with it? Just rebooted one on an 08 H6. The axles just pull out from the differential. No roll pin. 

if it clicks at low speed, have someone pace the car in a parking lot and do left, then right circles. In general, if you hear a Rzeppa joint clicking, it will be the one on the inside of a turn. The articulation is greater due to the Ackerman angle. But that is a good point above about rebuilding both - plus, you'd have the opportunity to swap sides - the little-used reverse surfaces will now be getting forward wear, might extend the life of the axles.

Edited June 14, 201411 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

I have no idea what it has in it for axles...I'm thinking one is aftermarket junk for sure and that would be the left one ...lol

How do I tell a real subie axle from aftermarket? 

if it clicks at low speed, have someone pace the car in a parking lot and do left, then right circles. In general, if you hear a Rzeppa joint clicking, it will be the one on the inside of a turn. The articulation is greater due to the Ackerman angle. But that is a good point above about rebuilding both - plus, you'd have the opportunity to swap sides - the little-used reverse surfaces will now be getting forward wear, might extend the life of the axles.

And what is a Rzeppa joint?....wait... I'll ask google 

Probably the axle with the torn boot but why not just replace both and be done with it? Just rebooted one on an 08 H6. The axles just pull out from the differential. No roll pin. 

 

doesnt have any torn boots...

 

there is a loose boot clamp on the right one - the small inner clamp - was letting grease escape...

Subaru axle cups are green: http://allwheeldriveauto.com/seattle-subaru-cv-boots-and-axle-problems-explained/

 

If one axle is aftermarket, I would suspect that one is the one clicking.

the axles that are on the 06 in our driveway look nothing like those shown in that link, Fairtax - and the cups are not green on either of them, nor on the replacement one.

He drove an hour to the nearest Subaru dealer to get the replacment axle because of the known failure issues with aftermarket axles. This is what he came home with...

 

The box the replacment came in...

 

The wheel end...

 

and the tranny end...

 

Both axles in the car right now look pretty much just like the replacement - the boot clamps are slightly different, but that is the only difference I can see.

I've read in the past that CardOne re-builds the re-mans for Subaru dealerships but, I have no idea how that could be confirmed.

 

If he had bought a NEW Subaru axle, it may have had green paint on it.

it was $250 (including $40 core charge) for the reman unit - I cant imagine how much they would want for a New one!

 

the replacment does have a smear of green on it! LOL

The link was just to provide color reference. The newer axles have the inner stub built into the axle. The one you have is the correct style for that car.

 

Anytime an axle is remanufactured they remove all paint and rust from the axle so it appears clean and new. Sometimes you get a cheap coat of silver rebuild paint to make it look shiny.

An original Subaru axle would have been that style, but painted green on the cups. The green paint can flake off though, especially in rust-prone areas.

neither of the axles on the car have any green paint on them - but we are in Wisconsin - known for harsh winters and heavy salt usage...

 

after replacing front brake pads today and finding loads of flung off grease on the back, lower side of the drivers side caliper, I am kind of leaning to the left one being the problem axle - as in torn boot flinging grease, axle replaced with an aftermarket. It is possible that both sides are for that matter...