Doing my first EJ axle, front drivers side on a 97 Outback. I've done alot of EA ones so I have the basics down just looking for any tips/tricks to make this an easy job. Thanks, Tim

Loosen the bolt holding the anti-sway bar onto the Lateral link (a-arm). Also, loosen the front bolt holding the lateral link to the front crossmember. This should give you enough room/play to remove the axle.

 

Others remove the ball joint or struts to get the clearance needed to remove the axle, but the above method allows you to do the axle without needing an alignment or chance messing up the ball joint boot.

Cool!

 

Just the advice I was looking for.

My legacy just blew a boot, and I was just going to post this question.

Cool!

 

Just the advice I was looking for.

My legacy just blew a boot, and I was just going to post this question.

 

Swing by, we can do them together :lol: . Later, Tim

 

PS I just got a PM from ED. He has a right up in the Repair Manual.

Swing by, we can do them together

 

You got it...... thanks!

I've done a few of these, most recently on a 98 Legacy. I unbloted the sway bar and ball joint. Then procede just like an ea car.

Loosen the bolt holding the anti-sway bar onto the Lateral link (a-arm). Also, loosen the front bolt holding the lateral link to the front crossmember. This should give you enough room/play to remove the axle.

 

Others remove the ball joint or struts to get the clearance needed to remove the axle, but the above method allows you to do the axle without needing an alignment or chance messing up the ball joint boot.

 

Popping the ball joint out doesn't affect alignment (provided that you put it back when you're done ), and it wouldn't be easy to damage the boot when prying it out. You wouldn't put your pry bar directly against the joint. It's a nice way to go because there's only one bolt to remove, and it's one that comes out easily. On the other hand, I might try the other way next time for comparison purposes.

and it's one that comes out easily.

You can tell you live in the sunbelt. If you lived in the rust belt east coast you wouldn't say that the ball joint comes out so easily. However, there are lots of ways to get the hub loose enough to get the DOJ off the stub axle. Do what works best for you.

DONE!!! Wow, talk about easy, only glitch was I didn't have a 32mm so I had to run into town for one. Now while I have two corners off the ground I'm going to rotate the tyres:banana: :banana: .

 

I went the ball joint and sway bar route, just for future reference.

 

Thanks again for the help, Tim