'04 STI front axle. Or: Job Cory probably makes bucks on... - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

Dean · 2008-12-28, 03:03 PM

It was a nice day and I needed to do it before Thunderhill, so today was axle day.

Talk about a job that the shop manual makes sound way harder than it is... I bet Cory can do one in under 15 minutes.

1. Jack up that corner or the whole front and pull wheel.

2. Loosen axle nut

3. Remove Pin from transmission stub.

4. Mark and remove strut-spindle bolts.

5. Tip spindle forward and turn as needed and remove axle. May require tapping outer stub with a punch to release splines.

6. Reverse process for new axle.

Now all I need to find is the torque for the axle nut and I'm done. (162 ft pounds, but I need a second human to push the brake pedal while I torque it...)

The shop manual has you removing calipers and rotors, unhooking sway bars, ball joints and tie rod ends.... Don't do it!!!

van · 2008-12-28, 03:38 PM

x2!!!
I was shocked how easily it was done, I drank a beer, had a smoke, ate bananas foster, and changed my axle in<45 minutes

MPREZIV · 2008-12-29, 07:37 AM

I pull the swaybar link, and the ball joint cross bolt, then just pop out the LCA from the spindle. Avoids having to mark/re-align the strut camber bolt. Usually takes about 5-10 minutes with the lift and right tools.

Dean · 2008-12-29, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

I pull the swaybar link, and the ball joint cross bolt, then just pop out the LCA from the spindle. Avoids having to mark/re-align the strut camber bolt. Usually takes about 5-10 minutes with the lift and right tools.

I thought about that. How do you avoid destroying the ball joint or at least its boot? Sometimes those suckers just won't move except by pickle fork which usually destroys the boot...

MPREZIV · 2008-12-29, 09:29 AM

No, don't pull the bottom of the ball joint, where it goes into the LCA, you pull the 14mm cross bolt where it goes into the spindle, and pop the upper half of the joint out of the spindle. There's no boot or anything up there. The only trouble is when they've been in there for a LONG time, and are a bit rusted. PB Blaster and a BIG prybar...

Dean · 2008-12-29, 10:14 AM

Ah, Gotcha... That may be even easier. I remember that bolt being captive for some reason but can't remember why.

ScottyS · 2008-12-29, 12:31 PM

I've always broke and set the axle nut final torque with the wheel still on the ground...

MPREZIV · 2008-12-29, 01:56 PM

^ that works. Or a BIG, BAD impact gun, if you have one available. 1000 ft. lbs. of torque FTW.

Dean · 2008-12-29, 03:54 PM

The RCE brake duct blocks that ball joint cross bolt, so you are back to removing almost everything under the sun to get to it.

I don't have Cory's monster impact gun, but my 500 or so ft/lb one broke the axle nut loose no problem. It wasn't powerful enough to do the front aft control arm nut though which Cory's spun right off.

I ended up wedging something between the driver's seat and the brake pedal to torque it. I'm not sure I would want any weight on that wheel bearing without that nut being property tight. Might also skew torque reading.

100_Percent_Juice · 2008-12-29, 04:34 PM

^What did you use to wedge between the brake pedal and the seat? Nicks serving tray?

cody · 2008-12-29, 05:43 PM

^LOL

Kevin M · 2008-12-29, 05:49 PM

He used his adjustable orthopedic cane.

Double Phister · 2011-07-25, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

I pull the swaybar link, and the ball joint cross bolt, then just pop out the LCA from the spindle. Avoids having to mark/re-align the strut camber bolt. Usually takes about 5-10 minutes with the lift and right tools.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

No, don't pull the bottom of the ball joint, where it goes into the LCA, you pull the 14mm cross bolt where it goes into the spindle, and pop the upper half of the joint out of the spindle. There's no boot or anything up there. The only trouble is when they've been in there for a LONG time, and are a bit rusted. PB Blaster and a BIG prybar...

I'll be fixing a torn inner CV boot soon. Thanks for the tips.

A1337STI · 2011-07-25, 03:21 PM

Wish i would have found this thread when i was doing a LCA replacement with Tom.B ... we found a way to make that into like a 10 hour job ... lol

2008-12-28, 03:03 PM	#1
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	'04 STI front axle. Or: Job Cory probably makes bucks on... It was a nice day and I needed to do it before Thunderhill, so today was axle day. Talk about a job that the shop manual makes sound way harder than it is... I bet Cory can do one in under 15 minutes. 1. Jack up that corner or the whole front and pull wheel. 2. Loosen axle nut 3. Remove Pin from transmission stub. 4. Mark and remove strut-spindle bolts. 5. Tip spindle forward and turn as needed and remove axle. May require tapping outer stub with a punch to release splines. 6. Reverse process for new axle. Now all I need to find is the torque for the axle nut and I'm done. (162 ft pounds, but I need a second human to push the brake pedal while I torque it...) The shop manual has you removing calipers and rotors, unhooking sway bars, ball joints and tie rod ends.... Don't do it!!! __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids... Last edited by Dean; 2008-12-28 at 03:34 PM.

2008-12-29, 07:37 AM	#3
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	I pull the swaybar link, and the ball joint cross bolt, then just pop out the LCA from the spindle. Avoids having to mark/re-align the strut camber bolt. Usually takes about 5-10 minutes with the lift and right tools. __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

2008-12-29, 09:29 AM	#5
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	No, don't pull the bottom of the ball joint, where it goes into the LCA, you pull the 14mm cross bolt where it goes into the spindle, and pop the upper half of the joint out of the spindle. There's no boot or anything up there. The only trouble is when they've been in there for a LONG time, and are a bit rusted. PB Blaster and a BIG prybar... __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

2008-12-29, 10:14 AM	#6
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Ah, Gotcha... That may be even easier. I remember that bolt being captive for some reason but can't remember why. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2008-12-29, 12:31 PM	#7
ScottyS EJ205 Real Name: It is real! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: RNO Posts: 2,367 Car: 1998 Impreza Wagon, 1991 Legacy Turbo Sedan, 2003 Nissan Xterra Class: tvFree Yes, I'll fix it for you. Again.	I've always broke and set the axle nut final torque with the wheel still on the ground... __________________ "Trend Number One is that people aren't getting any smarter." Dogbert

2008-12-28, 03:38 PM	#2
van SECCS Brewmeister Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: on the edge of a marsh Posts: 1,451	x2!!! I was shocked how easily it was done, I drank a beer, had a smoke, ate bananas foster, and changed my axle in<45 minutes

2008-12-29, 01:56 PM	#8
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	^ that works. Or a BIG, BAD impact gun, if you have one available. 1000 ft. lbs. of torque FTW. __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

2008-12-29, 03:54 PM	#9
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	The RCE brake duct blocks that ball joint cross bolt, so you are back to removing almost everything under the sun to get to it. I don't have Cory's monster impact gun, but my 500 or so ft/lb one broke the axle nut loose no problem. It wasn't powerful enough to do the front aft control arm nut though which Cory's spun right off. I ended up wedging something between the driver's seat and the brake pedal to torque it. I'm not sure I would want any weight on that wheel bearing without that nut being property tight. Might also skew torque reading. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids... Last edited by Dean; 2008-12-29 at 03:57 PM.

2008-12-29, 04:34 PM	#10
100_Percent_Juice (40 percent vodka) Real Name: Joel Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,446 Car: 2004WRX Class: Baby-Hauler/GroceryGetter	^What did you use to wedge between the brake pedal and the seat? Nicks serving tray? __________________ "A power nap is when you sleep on someone who is weaker than you." - Dimitri Martin

2008-12-29, 05:43 PM	#11
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	^LOL __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2008-12-29, 05:49 PM	#12
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	He used his adjustable orthopedic cane. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2011-07-25, 03:21 PM	#14
A1337STI EJ205 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,840 Car: Impreza and an Impreza Class: AS / CRS PerfStock "pedal on the right"	Wish i would have found this thread when i was doing a LCA replacement with Tom.B ... we found a way to make that into like a 10 hour job ... lol __________________ Fighting uphill battles, one bullet at a time!

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