I have a 98 Outback that needs a drive shaft. I know a lot of people that are parting out their cars and to save money I am looking at buying a used rear auto drive shaft. What years/models are compatible? Can I use a 98 Impreza drive shaft or a 2000 Outback? I keep finding info all over the place searching online, thought maybe you guys have mismatched parts before and know Thank you!
 

On my 2000 obw , I had to buy a complete driveline, Unless i wanted a wrecking yard one shipped in for $$$ .  On my 94 legacy I sent the driveline to a shop and they added greasable, replaceable u joints. Could be the same for a 98.  Same driveline shop said it couldn't be done on a 2000 + I needed a new driveline. Give a driveline shop a call and ask , could be you could just repair your shaft.  Highly doubt an impreza shaft would be the correct length. I don't believe a 2000 up would work either. Someone else may have direct experience with interchange.    Good luck  

Ok-- good thoughts. The drive shaft was driven with issues for quite some time and is totally crap now- past the point of reasonable repair. Do you think only a drive shaft from the same year will fit? Or is there a range like 96-99 Outback that might work?

I would guess 96-99 obw but that is based on the body type.

Are you talking about the driveline that goes between the transmission and rear differential or an axle shaft?

 

If it's an axle shaft, all 90-99 axles will work. 2000 they added a tone ring to the axle and yes it still works, it's just not right.

 

If it's a driveline, you will need one from a 96-99 Outback. No others will work unfortunately.

Edited July 20, 20169 yr by Caboobaroo

Many differences auto and manual trans have different length, impreza and forester have a shorter wheelbase then legacy

It has to be from an outback, a legacy of the same body style has a different center bearing mount.

As long as you haven't damaged the ears on the driveshaft where the u-joints go, you can rebuild it. http://rockforddriveline.com/ sells the u-joints.

^ 1996-1999 OB should all work. car-part.com should show the interchange, too. 

 

EDIT: Car-part.com shows the FRONT and REAR shaft separately. 

The '96-'99 Front can interchange, but a quick look only shows the '98-'99 REAR interchange.

I only checked AT info.

Edited July 20, 20169 yr by wtdash

It will have to come from a 96-99 Outback Legacy.

 

If you just need one section, The Rear section can be used from any Legacy model 95-99.

The front section is what the center carrier bearing is attached to, so it must come from an outback due to the difference in the mount bracket on the carrier.

The front section is also different length depending on if its from an auto or manual trans, so the donor shaft has to come from the trans matching yours.

I wouldn't change just one section, otherwise you may throw off the balance of the shaft and have a high speed vibration. Same deal if you take it apart to rebuild it, make sure to mark how it was originally. Same deal when you take the u-joints out, make sure to get the flanges back in the original orientation.

It is just the rear drive shaft that I need... I was hoping to put one in from a 2002 Outback- into my 97 Outback, but it sounds like that won't work..     Am I looking at the same thing for the exhaust? That I need to pull from a 97-99 Outback?

Edited July 21, 20169 yr by darkskies

The 2000 and up driveline are no longer two piece so it won't work.

 

You can use the midpipe from a standard 95-99 Legacy but the axle back with muffler is Outback specific.

Ok.. thank you! You guys are awesome!