Rear Drive Shaft: Disassembly

Take out the DOJ outer race from the shaft assembly.
CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the boot.
1. Using a flat tip screwdriver or plier, loosen the boot band on the large end of DOJ boot.
  CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the boot.
  
  Fig 1: Loosening Boot Band On Large End Of DOJ Boot
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
2. Remove the boot band on the small end of DOJ boot in the same manner.
3. Remove the large end of DOJ boot from DOJ outer race.
4. Remove the round snap ring at the neck of DOJ outer race with a flat tip screwdriver.
  
  Fig 2: Removing Snap Ring
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
5. Take out the DOJ outer race from the shaft assembly.
6. Wipe off the grease and take out the ball bearings.
  CAUTION: The grease is a special grease (grease for constant velocity joints). Do not mix with other greases.
  
  NOTE: Disassemble exercising care not to lose balls.
  
  Fig 3: Removing DOJ Outer Race From Shaft Assembly
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the cage from the inner race.
1. Turn the cage by a half pitch to the track groove of inner race and shift the cage.
2. Using pliers, remove the snap ring fixing the inner race to the shaft.
  
  Fig 4: Removing Snap Ring Fixing Inner Race To Shaft
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Take out the DOJ inner race.
4. Take off the DOJ cage from shaft and remove the DOJ boot.
CAUTION: Wrap shaft splines with vinyl tape to protect the boot from scratches.
Remove the BJ boot or EBJ boot in the same procedure as the DOJ boot.
NOTE: Further disassembly of the drive shaft is impossible because the BJ and EBJ cannot be disassembled.