Rule #1: Do not use any aftermarket axle unless it is from MWE or RAXLES.

Rule #2: See rule #1.

Other option is to buy new OEM, get an OEM rebuilt, or buy used OEM from a junkyard and have them rebooted and installed.

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...oblems-maintenance/37399-vibration-idle-after-replacing-front-axles-solved.html

 

Thanks. by the time we realized what was causing it my old perfectly good axles (well except for the boot) had made there way to the junk yard or whatever they do with them. I had heard some people talk about EMPI? Which are more reasonable MWE or Raxles?

 

MWE (now FWE) is pretty much always good.

Raxles and EMPI are usually good. After chucking a Cardone axle after 10K miles due to a vibration so bad the change in my cupholder would rattle, I went with MWE. I have 43K on it now, and other than a little grease seeping out, it's still fine.

 

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/189618-contact-info-mwe-axles.html

here is the thread for MWE = FWE. Depending upon where you are in the country vs. colorado will hurt you in freight vs. buying similar remans off the dealer.

but if subaru dealer only wants $135 each for remans, you can buy those, ....maybe go down to the junk yard and get some $40 subaru OEM green cap ones to use as core deposits if they want to give you a hard time with turning into them the junk autozone ones.

Edit: much yacking on this thread from a few days ago,...(everyday it seems there is another axle thread).
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/109-gen-3-2005-2009/191850-any-one-use-type-axel.html

 

1. Reboot a used Subaru OEM axle. they're readily had for $20 - $35 from junk yards and they all ship if you have none local:
Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

2. FWE, out of Denver if you want a higher priced one-stop shop solution.

The aftermarket axle industry is so problematic I consider it silly to "try" anything other than those two nearly 100% repeatable solutions.

EMPI's were good for a time, then issues cropped up...

 

This may not be 100% applicable to you, but my local dealer has OEM remans for $206-$40 core=$160+tax which isn't bad. Even at $206 it isn't horrible if you can install yourself. Yes, you may not know how the previous owner treated them but you'll get the better subaru boots and it's easier and possibly cheaper than paying someone to reboot and install some junkyard oems and no more risky than junkyard axles.

 

where is your local place with the reman? i'm in Maryland and i see you're in DC so it can't be to far

 

I would certainly trust a Subaru reman over any other aftermarket brand. Few reports of issues with them. But they are said to be simply sourced from other suppliers so I'm hesitant on the price tag when there are other options available. These guys, who do this every day, call Subaru's reman program "here today gone tomorrow" - I'd like to know what they mean by that:

Seattle Subaru CV Boots And Axle Problems Explained :

At one point...it may still be true?...Subaru said their remaned axles could not be used on Turbo vehicles...and odd stipulation since they're the same axles - suggests the reman's aren't quite up to OEM specs if it's still true.

 

I would not buy EMPI.

If you go with any of the reman options they will probably want an OE for the core, not an aftermarket axle so you may need to eat the core price.

Cardone Select makes new axles. They are brand new and cheap ($50 on rockauto). Supposedly good quality.

 

Stohlman Subaru in VA gave me the $206 price back in march. There seems to be some disagreement between dealers if all gen 3 axles are interchangeable. Some say manual v automatic have different axles and turbo v non-turbo have different axles. However, I've not seen anyone on the forum have compatibility issues.

 

My local deal changed 1 side with labor for $265 if I remember correct. I have an XT. 3 mos later...I changed both to MWE. I don't know which axle they put in, if they are indeed different for an AT turbo.

 

It is easy to tell if you have an rebuilt subaru original axle or not.

Subaru cups have three 'notches' in them and a step in the shaft. Aftermarket ones do not.

You can't trust color since that has been changed usually during rebuild.

Both of these are OEM, one new, one rebuilt from autozone 7336. See thread here: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/replace-rebuild-torn-cv-boot-and-axle-108975p38.html