What stuff do i buy to refresh the axcles? its a fwd 88 XT6. do i have to pull them out of the tranny and drain the tranny fluid? new to this job.

Find and remove the roll pin.  When reinstalling, the roll pin only goes in one way. Very important:  use the correct size punch to punch out the roll pin.  

 

Axles attached to the differential, not the transmission.

To add to the roll pin, they don't take much to remove. So if it take more than a tap or two to start moving, try the other side. I always paint marker the side to knock it out of when I install them.

The axles slide off the stubs on the differential, the oil stays sealed in the differential housing.  Which is part of the transmission for the FWD.

You need boots and CVJ grease.  Might be worth getting the axle hub seals and replacing them also.

New boots and clamps, new grease. That’s all you need.

Remove axle:  knock out inner roll pin at trans, remove 32mm axle nut, remove top 17mm strut mount bolt, loosen lower strut mount bolt.  

pull on strut so hub rotates out. Slide axle off trans. Push inner joint back so you can pull axle out of the hub.

pulling the balljoint is easier than stray bolt method, there’s more room, but the ballpoints can be huge nightmares if there’s any rust or corrosion  

It’s very tight angling the axle out but it does come out.  

swap boots and reinstall. As John said, the axle slides onto the stub only one way when reinstalling. Look at the grooves in the stub and grooves on the axle and make sure they’re compatible   If not, rotate 180 degrees. It’s very simple, you’ll notice when you remove it now that you know to look.

 

Any good places that sell supplies and have decent warranty?

Subaru OEM boots last longer. Not sure if they’re still available though. 

If a warranty for cheap boots is important then look first at local auto parts stores as remote warranty on a cheap part is a wash with shipping costs and down time. Most have “order online - pick up in store” options now.

I installed the Dorman silicone boots. They are thicker than the normal Dorman, and about the same as the OE. I figured the silicone boots might be a better rubber. Plus as idosubaru said, a brick and mortar nationwide parts store will be the best for warrenty exchange.

On 10/22/2020 at 8:34 AM, Ionstorm66 said:

I installed the Dorman silicone boots. They are thicker than the normal Dorman, and about the same as the OE. I figured the silicone boots might be a better rubber. Plus as idosubaru said, a brick and mortar nationwide parts store will be the best for warrenty exchange.

For dorman is there a part# for the silicone rubber boots? Can't find it.