markcrim Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Greetings! I have a 2007 2.5i Ltd. with 95K miles on it. I'm a DIYer interested to learn about what to watch out for on this car, what preventative stuff to do, and what the essential resources are (forums and other sites, parts sites, manuals, ...). I'm starting with swapping in a new passenger axle (torn boot) and doing a timing belt service (got the axle and a timing belt kit from FCP). Thank you for any advice! Best, Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) Welcome aboard, Mark. Your approach is very wise--ask questions and learn. And USMB is a great place to do it--very helpful people here. Just one question: What is FCP? Edited January 24, 2015 by Olnick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikec03 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) You better search the forums for axle replacement. Lots of posters have had vibration trouble with non subaru axles. For example: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/37399-vibration-idle-after-replacing-front-axles-solved.html Edited January 24, 2015 by mikec03 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 yeah, highly recommend; 1. rebuild your axle, 2. rebuild a used Subaru axle, 3. rebuilt from FWE in Colorado Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markcrim Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Thanks, all! FCP is a parts mail-order supplier who were a reliable source of good parts for my Volvo. Unfortunately I already have the new axle, which is a new Empire one. I do see mixed things about these axles online, so it sounds like rebooting is a better idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Rebooting is a lot of work and a huge mess. I would only recomend it if you know the boot just cracked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markcrim Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Ugh, I see your point. Yeah, I don't know that it just recently cracked. It's more likely that it's been months at least. I guess I'll put in the new axle and see what happens, hanging onto the old one to use as a core or to be rebuilt if need be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 How did you find the torn boot--during inspection or was the axle giving you problems/making noises? Might be worth re-booting your old axle if it's mechanically sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markcrim Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Inspection. It's not acting up in any way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 the inner joint is less exposed to dirt than the outer one - and they are robust and rarely fail without some warning, Everything I've read advises to definitely re-use it if possible. if the outer boot has been open for some time, that's more risky, but might not be not a show-stopper. Also, Febest has joints for sale on Amazon but I have not read of anyone trying them yet. similar to this; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DMA2MN8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=IDEFQ97CY9SH&coliid=I1JL2WBJ09B8RO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 off topic somewhat but, wondering if anyone has tried SurTrak axles? At least one reviewer at Amazon says he has no vibration from it. http://www.amazon.com/SurTrack-HO-8047-CV-Axle-Shaft/dp/B00DCNNWW0 they appear to be new Chinese. website is trakmotive; https://trakmotive.mycarparts.net/products/TrakMotive%20CV%20Axles-SB-8011?product_application_id=4985682242 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith3267 Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 If you do not hear any clicking sound when making a sharp turn and accelerating, the CV joints are good. It usually only takes a week or so from the time the boot tears until the CV joint starts making a clicking sound. Once it starts making the clicking sound, it is too late to save. In a parking lot, stop, turn the wheel all the way to one stop, or just short of full stop, then accelerate. Repeat in the other direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markcrim Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 Well I put in the Empire axle, and at least at 30mph it's silent so far. I'll take it on a Bay Area commute tomorrow, so should be able to get it up to 35, 40mph if lucky & will report back once I get it up to speed. As an aside, the ball joint came out of the knuckle easily for me--just a little rust on it (California, right?). But I had a bear of a time getting the axle out of the hub. Ended up using a puller, hammering and using a breaking bar on that, and oh-so-gradually it started to budge; from there I just hammered it out. I think I whaled on the puller so hard I screwed up its threads. There was a lot of oily, black, grainy crud on the splines. Greased the new one of course. Thanks again for all the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markcrim Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 It behaves well on the freeway with the Empire axle. Maybe I got lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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