CV Joint & Front axle 1997 Subaru Legacy

[Manohar S. Sohal]

I have 1997 Subaru Legacy/Outback 2.5L, AWD with 92,000 miles. Recently it started making click-click sound while taking a hard left turn. Checked the front axle. Both sides outer boots have come off (not cracked). There is still grease in the joints. I am unable to decide if I should:
(1) just replace the boots with grease in the CV joints (but then inner boots will go bad someday)?
(2) Just replace the entire CV joints (but how you only replace the joints? Can you just buy the CV Joints?)
(3) Replace the entire front axle on both sides.

Which choice is more reasonable noting that the car only has 92,000 miles and may be good for another 92,000 miles. It is Subaru.

Please give me your wise choice and any suggestion for what I have overlooked.

BTW, re-furbished axles (at a dealer) cost around $190 each. The labor at a dealer is ~$180-220/axle. The auto stores may sell axles that are not Subaru genuine and probably made in China and may not have precise dimensions and fitting.

Thank you.

M.S.

Topic

[college man]

I vote for replacing the entire axles both sides.

[zero]

Once they click, just replace them.

It’s up to you whether $200 for Subaru reman axles is worth it over whatever aftermarket units would run. Get a quote from one or more independent shops if you don’t feel comfortable taking on the job yourself. Of course you would likely have to cover some sort of diagnostic charges, consideering the mileage it wouldn’t be a horrible idea to make sure that the rest of the car is safe also. But you can always learn how to do that yourself with videos on here.

[Mike]

In my experience with this sort of thing, I’ve never had an issue using non-OEM reman axles. Truth is, the reman parts you get at the dealership probably come from the same sub contractors that supply the auto parts stores. You’re paying more at the dealership for the name on the box.

[Matt]

If they click, its time to replace them. A lot of folks on the subaru forums have had good luck with axles re-manufactured by Raxles. On my 2000 Legacy I ended up going with a new axle made by EMPI. I’ve put 20,000 miles on it since I put it in last year, and it’s worked just fine for me.

[Author]

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