I can get a few free axles from a 93 legacy if I need them. I have a bad aftermarket axle on the Forester and I'd rather rebuild OEM than put another crappy aftermarket reman on.

 

So can I put CV axles from a 1993 Legacy into my 2004 Forester? I'm pretty sure they're a different length, but figured I would ask.

 

If not, can I rebuild the joints from the 93 axles on the shafts from the Forester? 

The forester axle can be used in the legacy so length doesn't matter, but the tone ring will be the issue. 

 

The forester has the ABS tone ring fixed to the axle itself.  The legacy does not - the tone ring is part of the hub. 

 

When installing that forester axle in an earlier legacy you simply tap the tone ring off and install it in place.  Some peopel I think just leave the tone ring even. 

So - if the tone ring can tap into place on the 1993 legacy axle you might be able to use it.  I sort of doubt that one of the steps in the axle joint will be the right diameter for the tone ring to properly slide onto and stop. 

 

You might be able to install the 93 legacy hub and axle and splice the ABS sensor wiring together to get the 93 legacy sensor to play nice with the forester ABS sensor...but that sounds terrible. 

 

 

www.car-part.com has axles for $15 - $33 each, i've bought tons of axles from there and all have been Subaru OEM.