Hi GUYS!

Long time no see, hope everyone is doing well. I just had a quick question, I was rotating my tires the other day and noticed that there was some grease leaking out of my front passenger side axle boot. I had a tear it my boot awhile ago and just replaced the boot for the time being. Now I think I should replace the entire axle because it is starting to make some noise. Does anyone know if all 02-07 front axles are the same? Is there a difference from manual transmission axles compared to 4 eat axles? And where can I get one without getting raped by Subaru? Thanks for your help guys.

Andy

 

i was able to get my complete axle for a 06 sti from O'reilly Auto Parts(Kragen) for less than $80. it was brand new, im pretty sure if i remember correctly they should be able to get it for all of them. as for the differences, i think it differs from the wagons, sedans and sti models. not really too sure though. if i remember later on today, i can check when i get into work.

what car do you have? from your older threads, im guessing a 07 wrx

 

I hear the NAPA ones have a lifetime warranty and are fairly cheap. No experience myself though.

 

yea, I have a 07 WRX. thanks man

 

5MT Trannies changed from innie to outie (or vice-versa, don't remember) for MY2004.

driveshaftshop.com started carrying a basic axle, since the passenger side axles always fail (due to turbo proximity). Call them to make sure you get the right one.

 

I did the Reman version from Vatozone less than $80.

Now fitment wise they should be different MT to AT. Just ask for the correct one.

 

There's a company in Santa Clara called Fast Undercar that was selling reman's for ~$60

 

Oreilly system shows that it's only different from wagon and sedan, at/manual doesnt matter, 74.99 for a brand new one, reman one is 59.99 +75.00core, both comes with a lifetime warranty

 

Lifetime warranty but you will be replacing them every other year or sooner...but that warranty means you can get another one. Not all remans are bad too though. OEM is not rape, it is the correct part and will generally last about 5X as long as remans.

Wagon and sedan are definitely different because the sedan is 1" wider.

 

i went through the exact same situation as you. yes there is a difference between sti and wrx models and yes there is a difference between wagons and sedans if i remember correctly. i got my replacement at o'riellys and it'd been doing just fine. I don't have the car anymore but the owner now hasn't mentioned anything wrong with it.

i don't remember the part numbers, but you can tell the differences on o'riellys website between part numbers for sedans and wagons and year models from what i remember. just make sure you get the correct part number

 

Or you can replace the boot for $15 and an hours worth of time

 

He mentioned it was starting to make noise. At that point, it's better to replace the entire axle.

 

The labor to replace the boot is the same as replacing the whole thing. Split boots are garbage and are intended to be temporary only. So if you're going to do all the work, might as well do it right.

 

thanks for all your input guys, appreciate it.

 

I have replaced 2 boots, both making noise when replaced. One has 30k and 4 years on it, the other has 20k and 3 years. Typical throw it away mentality If you actually inspect the bearings and find no damage then they are fully serviceable.

"Do it right" is a funny phrase considering the FSM has a procedure for inspecting the bearings and replacing the boot.

Then again STI axles are a bit more expensive than WRX