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rear drive shaft 2.2L auto vs manual


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I'm just about done with my 5-speed swap. All that's left is to install my drive shaft and exhaust and finish up my wiring. I went to put in my auto drive shaft and it's 2 11/32" too short. Im wondering what models would be compatable? If Leggy and impreza in the 90s had the same drive shafts or i should look for a drive shaft shop to extend my existing shaft. The shafts i've found used seem to be longer past the center support bearing and the 2" i need is before the support bearing. The car i got my swap from is gone now and the drive shaft i removed from it (93 leggy) had the same length front shaft as my car and it was rusted beyond being safe. My shaft looks like new and even still has the subaru sticker on it.

Edited by Recian
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You need one from a manual trans Legacy. (it is a Legacy this trans went int right?) Impreza wheelbase is shorter, as such, it has a shorter driveshaft.

The rear section I believe is the same, but the front section changes depending on auto or manual trans.

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There is also a difference between OB and non-OB cars. On OB's the center carrier is farther from the car to maintain driveshaft angles.

 

They are interchangeable, but you may get some more vibration.

 

Some of the newer (2000+) driveshafts will have a CV type joint in the center instead of a 3rd U-joint. These are also compatible and slightly smoother/quieter if that is a concern.

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you didn't say what kind of car you have. But it needs to be from that style of car with a manual transmission. 1st (90-94) and 2nd (95-99) gen legacy shafts are a different length.

 

Also, I'm sure you know you need to make sure your rear end is the right ratio for the 5speed transmission.

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yeah i've got a 93 leggy 5-speed trans and my car was a 95 impreza auto awd. Both have 4.111s. I took my existing shaft since it looked so good, bolted it back in to find a length difference of 2 11/16" I took this to a local welding shop and for $75 they'll extend and balance the shaft. I'll pick it up at lunchtime on friday and put it in the car that evening.

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yeah i've got a 93 leggy 5-speed trans and my car was a 95 impreza auto awd. Both have 4.111s. I took my existing shaft since it looked so good, bolted it back in to find a length difference of 2 11/16" I took this to a local welding shop and for $75 they'll extend and balance the shaft. I'll pick it up at lunchtime on friday and put it in the car that evening.

 

That's not a bad price. Depending on what you have for junk yards around you, that's probably what you'd end up paying for a 95 manual shaft.

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yeah i could pick up a shaft from a u-pull it for bout $45 but it wouldnt be worth it with the time spent removing the shaft, the fact that i'd have to give up my current shaft which is immaculate. My whole undercarriage is very clean since the car is low mileage and garage kept. Also There are no prop shafts within 100 miles of me since i've got the only 5-speed awd tranny in the area and the prop shaft that car had was rusted in half almost and it's a leggy so it would be different. I figure spending that little bit to extend my existing shaft was reasonable. I've contemplated down the road getting a driveshaft shop one piece aluminum 3" shaft. It's half the weight, holds up to 650hp and 155mph but since the front drive axles wont be any lighter i dont see what effect reducing weight on the rear shaft will do as theyre linked together.

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  • 4 years later...

So I have a 95 Subaru Legacy (manual) and need a yolk and the peice of driveshaft that it connects to. I cannot for the life of me find this car in a salvage yard for parts and after reading all your replies I'm still not sure which (if any) driveshafts are compatible with this model. Or where I would be able to go to have which ever half extended that needs to be if I find the parts off an automatic. Or if anyone knows of or has a driveshaft for a manual transmission. Thanks for any assistance in advance I need my car back.

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So I have a 95 Subaru Legacy (manual) and need a yolk and the peice of driveshaft that it connects to. I cannot for the life of me find this car in a salvage yard for parts and after reading all your replies I'm still not sure which (if any) driveshafts are compatible with this model. Or where I would be able to go to have which ever half extended that needs to be if I find the parts off an automatic. Or if anyone knows of or has a driveshaft for a manual transmission. Thanks for any assistance in advance I need my car back.

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So I have a 95 Subaru Legacy (manual) and need a yolk and the peice of driveshaft that it connects to. I cannot for the life of me find this car in a salvage yard for parts and after reading all your replies I'm still not sure which (if any) driveshafts are compatible with this model. Or where I would be able to go to have which ever half extended that needs to be if I find the parts off an automatic. Or if anyone knows of or has a driveshaft for a manual transmission. Thanks for any assistance in advance I need my car back.

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