Bought a set of front axles online for my '86' GL 4wd, carbed wagon. When I received them I put my car up on stands and pulled the old axle. When I went to install the new axle I found that the hub that supposed to fit the short shaft from the trans. was bigger and just rattled on it. I took it back out, just a bit pissed and counted the splines. It has 24 instead of 23. The tire end has 30 splines. So my question is, what the hell do these axles go to? According to the compatibility chart on the auction they were supposed to fit my rig. I got credit for them from the seller, which was good but it still took nearly two hours to pull it and then put it back in so I could drive. I'd like to know if these are even for a Subaru and if so, which one?

Edited December 30, 20169 yr by 3crows

There are a few different transmission end spline counts, depending on Auto, standard, Turbo, 4WD 2WD, etc.

A FSM has a table of which is which, and how to identify OEM axles.

Thanks, Dave. What's a FSM and where to find it?

Factory Service Manual.  So much more detail than the generic ones.

There may be sections uploaded.

eBay.

 

here's a chart

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/73038-axle-replacement-for-ea-series-cars/page-2?do=findComment&comment=629117

Edited December 30, 20169 yr by Dee2

For EA82 interchangeability theres only turbo and nonturbo axles. The only difference being the inner joint spline count.

Well, on a recount it does have 25 splines and from the diagram that Dee2 directed me to it looks like a 95AC-25 but with no raised bands and no grooves in the inner hub

I tried to put in pics comparing this one with my old one from my '86' and one from my '87' but they came out huge and wouldn't post

Edited December 30, 20169 yr by 3crows

The traditional fit of the axles feel loose on the stubs. You should be counting the corresponding tooth spaces on the internal spline. I say this because the tooth count differences sound fishey.

I assumed without saying anything that it was miscounted and was a turbo instead of non turbo axle.

 

I think I have two ea82 axles but shipping probably makes it worthless.

I am counting the internal splines of the axle hub and there are 25 splines on these. I have a spare bush button 4WD trans. that I took out of my '87' and I just received another set of axles that are the right ones with 23 splines. I tried then on that trans and they fit and are snug. These other axles are about 1/8" or more bigger inside diam. than the 23 spline axle. They don't engage the splines on the trans.

short shaft. The axle shaft itself is quite a bit bigger in diam. than either of the axles for the '86' or the '87'. The parts guy at wongleflute Hanna thought they might be for the turbo because of having more splines and being stouter and having more torque but they only go by part # and there wasn't one on these axles. Bot according to Dee2's chart and my correcting the spline count, I'm about convinced that they are for the turbo.

I was just hoping that some of you guys that are addicted to Subaru's and have worked on many different ones might have picked up on the difference from past experience. Maybe we're all learning something new. And for GP info, the parts guy said these axles from Subaru are about $450 each. I got mine, the correct fitting ones, 2 for $92 on ebay. They were advertised as "NEW" but I've seen other sellers advertising these as 'NEW RE MANUFACTURED"

I'm 74 and don't do a lot of driving so I figure they'll most likely last longer than I will. I'm at the age where I don't like to buy green bananas and I always eat dessert first.