Rear Drive Shaft: Removal

1. Lift up the vehicle, and then remove the rear wheels.
2. Remove the axle nut.
   CAUTION: Do not loosen the axle nut while the rear axle is loaded. Doing so may damage the hub bearing.
   1. Lift the crimped section of axle nut.
   2. Remove the axle nut using a socket wrench while depressing the brake pedal.
      Fig 1: Removing Axle Nut Using Socket Wrench

      Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Drain differential gear oil.
4. Remove the trailing link.
   1. Remove the bracket, and remove the parking brake cable from the guide (a).
   2. Remove the bolts and nuts, and then remove the trailing link.
      Fig 2: Locating Trailing Link Bolts And Nuts

      Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
5. Remove the bolts and nuts and lower the rear lateral link.
   1. Remove the nut and disconnect the rear stabilizer link.
   2. Remove the shock absorber lower bolt.
   3. Disconnect the rear lateral link.
   Fig 3: Locating Lower Rear Lateral Link Bolts And Nuts

   Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
6. Remove the rear drive shaft from the rear differential.
   • T-type
   1. Fit the ST to the bolt (a) as shown in the figure.
      CAUTION: Fit the ST to the bolts as shown in the figure to prevent damage of the side bearing retainer.

      PREPARATION TOOL: 

      ST: DRIVE SHAFT REMOVER (28099PA100) 

      Fig 4: Locating Rear Drive Shaft From Rear Differential Bolt

      Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
   2. Extract the rear drive shaft from the rear differential.
      • VA-type
      1. Fit the tire lever (b) to the bolt (a) as shown in the figure.
         CAUTION: To prevent damage to the side bearing retainer, use by placing the tire lever against the bolt as shown in the figure.

         Preparation tool: Tire lever 

         Fig 5: Fitting Tire Lever To Bolt

         Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
      2. Extract the rear drive shaft from the rear differential.
7. Remove the rear drive shaft from the rear axle.

PREPARATION TOOL: 

ST1: AXLE SHAFT PULLER (926470000) 

ST2: AXLE SHAFT PULLER PLATE (28099PA110) 

Fig 6: Removing Axle Shaft Puller Plate

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.