Front end question

[mdjdc]

I noticed that I had bad half shafts in the front end of my 99 outback wagon 5MT. I replaced them both last Thursday and now I am noticing a "shudder" under acceleration, but only in second gear. If I accelerate very gently it isn't noticeable, but if I accelerate with a little more force it can be felt. I'm wondering if I got a bad half shaft. I installed new, not rebuilt, but I'm wondering where the shudder is coming from. It feels alost like wheel hop, but I know it isn't. I can feel it in the steering wheel and from the vibrations I think it is coming from the passenger side. I checked the inner joint and it feels like there is some play on the inner joint on the output shaft. I need to check my buddies car and see if his feels the same. He also has a manual tranny.

 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

[EVOthis]

Did you replace them with New Subaru OEM axles or aftermarket (NAPA etc..) axles? Did you double check everything was tight (axle nut, spring pin inserted all the way? etc...) If the shuddering wasnt there before you installed the axle and it is present now than its either something you detached or the axle itself...how exactly did you replace the axle...(unbolt the strut?, undo the castle nut on the ball joint/sway bar link bolt? undo the LCA mounts?)

[ericem]

I have a similar problem. Steering wheels shakes on the throttle Guess I need a new axle period. I was hoping it was just my crappy buldging tires.

[lostinthe202]

I've read post after post after post after post about vibrations and shakes and other anomalies when both rebuilt and new axles from sources other then the dealer and MWE are used.

[idosubaru]

You did not mention so i'll tell everyone that you used aftermarket axles. Right?

 

I'm not psychic but after market axles absolutely suck. Get a used or new Subaru axle or go with MWE. Anything else is a crap shoot. New verses rebuilt or shop A verses shop B or brand this verses brand that hardly matters.

 

If you want proof, just look up all the axle threads on here, you'll see tons of threads of folks with bad "new" axles.

[mdjdc]

Yes, I used aftermarket. I guess I'll get some MWE axles this week and return these. Thanks Guys

[idosubaru]

Yes, I used aftermarket. I guess I'll get some MWE axles this week and return these. Thanks Guys

sorry mike, i forgot to qualify that maybe it's something else.

 

of course you'd want to make sure before replacing something that isn't the problem. axle/wheel lug nuts are all tight and proper?

 

and if you don't mind the time constraint you can always return axles, but i'd rather have something of known quality. that's preference to a point.