xt-6 front axle spline question

[robert_the_sane]

Does anybody know the correct spline count and shaft lenght for a 5-speed 4wd XT-6 front axle?

I am pretty sure they are not the same as the other EA82 axles, and won't interchange with the axles from an XT GL. Is this a correct assumption on my part?

I have sourced replacement front axles, and they have 25 splines at the female (tranny) end, and 27 at the wheel side...26 5/8 " overall. Can anyone verify this is the correct shaft for the car?

Also, are the front axles the same on both sides? Or is one side different than the other ? I can't imagine they are any different, as the tranny sits center in the car...but the supply house has different part #'s for each side...and some of those part #'s are identical to the XT GL...so I'm concerned that I'm going to get the wrong parts...

[GeneralDisorder]

XT6 axles are unlike all other EA82 (including XT) axles. They use a legacy style outer that mates to the 5 lug legacy-style knuckle/hub assembly.

 

They most likely have a 25 spline inner. I beleive they are basically first-gen legacy axles.

 

If you throw up a picture we can tell you immediately if it's the correct axle or not as the outer joint is quite different from any other EA82 axle. They do not have the bearing mating surfaces like the EA82 axles - instead they are splined to fit the hub which is pressed into the bearings.

 

GD

[robert_the_sane]

Thanks GD ! That was very probably all I needed to really know !

Yup, they are quite obviously different, as I am all too familiar with my EA 81/EA82 axles (my BRAT eats 'em up about every 40,000 miles) and I was sure they would have to be different ( 5-lug instead of 4).

Seems there is a difference in the spline count at the tranny stub side compared to other EA 82's, and also at the hub end.

Bottom line is that the part I'm getting is going to be the correct one !

Hooray !

[GeneralDisorder]

Only difference I could see side-to-side would be the use of a different inner joint boot on the passenger side to prevent heat damage from the cat.

 

Otherwise that's probably a cataloging mistake as every Subaru I've ever worked on (except the Justy) uses the same part for either side. Even in the Subaru parts books.

 

GD

[john in KY]

XT turbo axles and XT6 axles share the same inner joint so don't buy on spline count alone. What I am saying is a manual FWD transmission from an XT turbo will swap into an XT6 without changing the axles.