Rear Diff Swap Question

[scuba steve]

Hey, i just got a 91 N/A Wagon and it's AT's almost toast. So I've got a 96 Outback tranny and an Outback rear diff from 97 or 98 to convert it to 4.44 FD. But the rear has no stub axles. So obviously my axles won't fit.

Do I just swap the carrier from the Outback case to my case? Or do I need Outback axles? Thanks.

Steve
I think this is first gen Legacy #19 for me.

[Deride]

Should be able to use outback axles. I have Turbo legacy axles and rear diff in my 96 outback with no issues.

[scuba steve]

Should be able to use outback axles. I have Turbo legacy axles and rear diff in my 96 outback with no issues.

Hey thanks. Nice to know that I can go that route.

But how about the carrier swap? That doesn't require more $$$.

I remember doing that with a VLSD when I converted my SVX to 5spd. Is it basically the same deal?

[scuba steve]

Wow WTF is going on?? I got some axles from a 96 outback to go with my 98/99 outback diff and they don't fit in the diff sides. 96-2000 supposed to be the same? Its def a 4.44. Got the tranny in without incident, but now i can't get the rear squared away. I was going to just swap the ring gears, but I can't get the stubs out either.

Any thoughts?

[Legacy777]

Are the axles too big, or is the spline count different?

Subaru is kind of inconsistent with some of their changes, and they may have made a sneaky change through those model years.

[scuba steve]

Are the axles too big, or is the spline count different?

Subaru is kind of inconsistent with some of their changes, and they may have made a sneaky change through those model years.

The spline count is different. I think it was 20 or 21 compared with the 24 of my car. Looked like the same size though. Now I have to try to identify what car they came on so that I can sell them.

I finally found the bolts inside the stubs and got those out. 5/16" deep 1/4" drive socket did the job. Should be rolling tommorrow.

[scuba steve]

As it turned out, I swapped the carrier from the 4.11(with the 4.44 ring gear) into the 4.44 diff and had the whole thing in and ready to bolt up the driveshaft. And the freaking yoke was different. So I took the diffs to a machine shop and had them swap it for me and now its in. But still no AWD for other reasons. We're working on that in another thread.

I ended up scrapping those other axles. Didn't want to deal with them. I'm not even sure what car the 4.44 came out of only that it has 40 ring and 9 pinion. It's amazing how many stories people tell when they sell stuff.

[Legacy777]

Glad you ended up getting it all figured out.

[scuba steve]

Glad you ended up getting it all figured out.

Thanks Josh.