Front Axle: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Subaru Forester. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Lift up the vehicle, and then remove the front wheels.
Remove the nut - axle.
CAUTION: Do not loosen the nut - axle while the front axle is loaded. Doing so may damage the hub unit COMPL.
1. Lift the crimped section of the nut - axle.
2. Remove the nut - axle using a socket wrench while depressing the brake pedal.
  
  Fig 1: Removing Nut Of Axle Using Socket Wrench
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the caliper body assembly from the housing assembly - front axle.
1. Remove the mounting bolts, and then remove the caliper body assembly.
2. Prepare wiring harnesses etc. to be discarded, and suspend the caliper body assembly from the strut assembly.
  
  Fig 2: Locating Bolts Of Caliper Body Assembly From Housing Assembly
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the disc rotor.
NOTE: When the disc rotor is difficult to be removed from the hub unit COMPL - front axle, screw in 8 mm (0.31 in) bolt to the threaded part of the disc rotor (A), and remove the disc rotor.

Fig 3: Identifying Disc Rotor
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the tie-rod end.
1. Pull out the cotter pin (a).
2. Remove the castle nut (b).
3. Using a tie-rod ball joint puller, remove the tie-rod end (c).
  CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the boot of the joint.
  
  Preparation tool:
  
  Tie-rod ball joint puller
  
  Fig 4: Removing Cotter Pin And Castle Nut
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the bolts, and remove the front ABS wheel speed sensor.

Fig 5: Locating Bolts Of Front ABS Wheel Speed Sensor
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the stabilizer link and ball joint.
CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the boot of the joint.

Fig 6: Locating Bolts Of Stabilizer Link And Ball Joint
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Using a crowbar, remove the front axle shaft from the transmission.
CAUTION: Be careful not to allow the bar to damage holder area.
Remove the front axle shaft assembly from the hub unit COMPL - front axle.
Preparation tool:

ST1: AXLE SHAFT PULLER (926470000)

ST2: AXLE SHAFT PULLER PLATE (28099PA110)

Fig 7: Removing Front Axle Shaft Assembly
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: If it is hard to remove, use the ST.
Remove the housing assembly - front axle.
1. Place an alignment mark (a) on the adjusting bolt and the strut.
2. Remove the adjusting bolts and flange bolts for the strut assembly, and then remove the housing assembly - front axle.
  CAUTION:
  - While holding the head of the adjusting bolt, loosen the flange nut.
  - Be careful of the weight of the housing assembly - front axle.
  - Be careful not to damage the spline portion of the axle shaft.
  Fig 8: Locating Flange Bolts Of Housing Assembly - Front Axle
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
For removal of the hub unit COMPL - front axle, refer to "Front Hub Unit Bearing". < Ref. to REMOVAL , Front Hub Unit Bearing. >