I'm going to try to get at it again today. I had family in from out of town over the week end and didn't much done. I see what your saying about breaking off the tabs. A guy on you-tube broke one off while he was videoing the procedure. I also am going to have to get the plate seals. Thanks for your info, it's been most educating. 

Breaking a tab isn’t the end of the world, I’ve broken them before, just be mindful and adjust as you go.

Is it automatic or manual trans?

The automatic won't swap from 06 to an 01.

I got lucky on this one, I didn't have to remove the plate. The Subaru dealer mechanic said they changed the design and that I could remove the seal from the front. He was correct. I think they changed it when they made the shaft that fits the transmission part of the axle. (male end) The short stubby shaft trick worked. I pop out the old seal and put in a 2001 seal in the 2006 transmission. I then went back to the 2001 female axle with the short stubby. One side down and one to go. Looks like this is going to work. Thanks for keeping up with the forum. DD 

good job figuring it out.

 

thanks for posting that, i wasn't sure when the seal access changed or if it was only MT's. 

 

how certain are you that 06 is gonna plug and play?

I should get it off the jacks when I get home from work, around 5:00 p.m. I'll let you know how it goes. 

On the road again and is running smooth as silk. I'm sure glad I found this forum and special thanks to Elite Master-idosubaru! 

On the road again and is running smooth as silk. I'm sure glad I found this forum and special thanks to Elite Master-idosubaru! 

 

sure thing, great job staying with it and figuring it out!

 

and thanks for posting back.  it's always nice to know something got done and went well.