OEM have green barrels, if you can see anything other than rust.

This what is available from the dealer.

https://parts.mikeshawsubaru.com/a/...L-TURBO-5MT-4WD/_54106_6024666/FRONT-AXLE-DRIVE-SHAFT-05MY-06MY/B13-280-02.html

 

OEM have green barrels, if you can see anything other than rust.

This what is available from the dealer.

https://parts.mikeshawsubaru.com/a/...L-TURBO-5MT-4WD/_54106_6024666/FRONT-AXLE-DRIVE-SHAFT-05MY-06MY/B13-280-02.html

Here is the cup from the front passenger side. I am color blind but I dont figure this to be green?

Any ideas if OEM?

 

The photo you posted (three needle bearings) is inner joint design. All OEM and aftermarket axles I have seen use this same design. The diagram you posted (6 balls, cage, race) is the outer joint design. All OEM and aftermarket axles I have seen use this same design as well. Inner/outer are just different styles of CV joint based on demands on the joint. Post a picture of your axles and someone on here can tell you if they're OEM, rebuilt OEM, or aftermarket.

If you clean the parts, add more grease, and re-install with a new boot, you'll probably be just fine. Good luck!

 

The NEW axle I received from AdvanceAuto has the 6 balls, cage, race design on the INNER joint. I removed the inner boot band to see what was inside (I am very inquisitive) and that is the design. Guessing that is NOT OEM.

IS there a source for NEW 3 needle bearings? I have seen nothing out there. IF NOT, I will just grease it up and put on new boot.

 

No, it's Not OEM. It's some aftermarket garbage. You are doing it a service rebuilding.

 

Grrrrrr, I'll just install the new one I got from Autozone and use the old one for a crowbar. Thanks for the help.

I'll keep my eye out for some used OEM axles around the internet.

 

I don't like the way those casting imperfections look where the seal rides. Probably not an issue, but that is a really poor quality aftermarket axle.

 

I used iseismometer on my iPhone, in a Proclip dock, to measure the difference in vibration at idle, foot on brake stopped in Drive (auto tranny).

update, paid to remove the aftermarket axle, installed remanufactured Subaru axle. The fix paid off, look at the change in vibration, aftermarket on left, remanufactured axle from subaru dealer on right:

You guys were right, aftermarket axles Definitely vibrate more than Subaru axles.
Thumbs up for Subaru Remanufactured axles! (they cost me $80 extra)

 

I found OEM axles from 2 different salvage yards, Terryvilleautoparts was one of them and Shawautoparts was the other. You may have to look around some and contact the seller to confirm they have the green ends & low miles.

 

Huh, that's unusual. Let us know how the vibration is with the new AutoZone axle. I wouldn't have high hopes, but you could get lucky...

 

I shelved the AutoZone axle. I found two of the new Cardone Select axles. $110 for both...what the ****. Give it a try.

I will let you know what happens. I will also keep an eye out for some OEM from the local yards. Kinda feel like being the guinea pig for CV Axles.

 

The Cardone remans use OEM cores and are usually okay, but I would not expect a new Cardone Select axle to be any different than a new AutoZone axle.

 

The new Cardone Select axles are fantastic so far. The axle shaft was thicker than the AutoZone axle. I have no idea what the OEM thickness is. I have no vibration and they installed with no issues. The outer boot has extra baffles. It also was heavier than the AutoZone.

So far Two Thumbs Up!

 

Cardone is now the premium manufacturer and re-manufacturer.

You can still get a CV service unit from Subaru for about $180 and rebuilt the axle.

 

I put a pair of Cardone 66-7735's in my Outback in February 2015. I've been waiting for them to detonate ever since but so far they've worked perfectly with no vibration at idle or at any speed. I still have the originals waiting to be rebooted in the garage just in case along with new ball joints, LCA bushings, a "non-rebuildable" 2008 PS pump and new front struts.

I'm beginning to feel like I'm collecting enough "spare" parts to build another Gen3 Outback from scratch.

 

if even i can find that green color on them even with all that rust then others must have more green there. all aftermarket stuff for axles boots and such is just crap, no worth it. even used oem boot is many times better and stronger then those new soft aftermarket ones. maybe they could hold better on non lift cars or legacys but not on offroad for sure.

 

OP for what it's worth, a cheap aftermarket joint may not be the best thing here. CVJ's are pretty important stuff and need to be precisely built. It's definitely an area where I myself would only use OEM. Subaru *does* sell reman'd axles that aren't a lot more expensive than cheap car parts store axles, I just got one for a hair over 200 dollars but it's all Subaru, rebuilt by Subaru. You mentioned how the one replacement axle you bought was actually the wrong one ... this is an indicator of things to come in my mind. Other parts of the car that aren't as important then sure salvaged or cheap replacement parts, but not for drive train. Just my 2 cents.

 

specially with the lift . if lifters uses used oem CV's that must be for reason. aftermarket parts are ok others maybe but not CV. used ones from scrapyard cars sometimes are in such good condition they can look hardly used, well compare to mine.
and my lift is maxed now that this car can have with stock struts. and i can buy all axle from crapyard for like 20 euros and it will go strong for months and months and maybe even couple years or so . for that cheap. and boots oem boots are amazing . those aftermarket ones i used many of them and they kept braking and braking until i tried used old boot from some axle and its just holds there now. no problem, no matter how hard i push car, without sway bars and with 5cm lift its about how much they could hold there. no problem and still have 2 front and 2 rear axles for spares.

 

BTW,

Subaru still offers reman axles through Subaru. You can't find them on any websites, you have to ask your dealer. I found this out just today when I went to my go-to parts guys at Mike Shaw Subaru.

Dealers only list new axles on their websites. Dealers only replace axles under warranty with new OEM axles. But, if customers come in with a dealer repair out of warranty, they use OEM remans. We have all been under the impression these no longer exist.

They do, I assure you. I ahve 2 on order. Unfortunately there is currently a very long wait time. One month to 6 weeks currently in the Denver market. But this is good news for the community. I get wholesale pricing from Mike Shaw. That means $178 with a $40 core charge. But this "mystic unicorn" does indeed still exist. No More Cardone new/reman or BS aftermarket sh*tty new, for those who want it. These are genuine OEM reamns. You just have to ask your local dealer parts guys.

Sometimes the inside track pays off, I am sharing the love.

 

Inspect carefully. For a while there. previous "OEM remans" were also done by Cardone, albeit a different division. If you cannot verify NOK/NTN parts, ID the correct shaft (by the diameter and ring markings), or bearing cup style, I'd be suspect of it's origin and quality.