Anyone ever replace a rear axle or boot?

[ciper]

It seems that front axle replacement is part of every tune up with a legacy

Ive never heard of someone needing to replace a rear unit though.

[vrg3]

I looked closely at my rear axle boots last week and they looked like they were in good shape at just over 100,000 miles. The rubber was still flexible and there weren't any surface cracks.

The rear boots just don't have to deal with that much flexing, since the rear wheels don't steer. I bet after 20 years or so the rubber will age enough to be a problem, though...

[edgarmoresco]

At 345K my I think my Subi qualifies for a credible answers for any life expectancy questions. The rear boots on my car are still there and sealed (crossing my fingers). When or if they go I'll post it here. Here are some other typical numbers:

Original Y-pipe: 325K Now running a canadian-made after market. Doesn't look anywhere nears as effcient (your basic welded pipe hack job)as the OEM part but it was far cheaper on eBay (150 vs 400)

Muffler: 310K (still using the mid-pipe) Now running a Walker product, ($80 installed vs $130 OEM part only) soon to be replaced with a 2002 WRX refit

Original Front Axels: 163K; Generic Rebuilds lasted anywhere from 50K to 130K. Just installed factory rebuilds; we'll see how they go

Water Pump: Original let go at 143K replaced the second with 160K still OK Note: I only use the Subaru parts in the engine because I just don't trust generic after market anymore

Timing belts: I have changed the anywhere between 60K (being religious when I first bought the car) to 100K (being cheap when I wasn't working) However, the belts were never more than 2 years old and ALWAYS the OEM part. Its the age that kills them not the miles IMO because they were always in decent shape when I look at them after replacement

Fan belts: 100K no problem but why go farther when they are that easy to replace. Use the cheapest you can find and keep your eye on them. If they get cracked bad. pitch 'em!

Battery:Original quit after 5 years from date the car was manufactured; OEM replacement died after almost 5 years to the day! Running the Walmart houe brand now. GERAT price and excellent warentee. Plus. if it dies, Walmarts are everywhere!

Alterantor: Original part died at 152K: factory rebuild has 192K and still ticking

Clutch: Original parts still in car but is starting to slip

Oil Pump: Seal let go at 185K. Resealed and still ticking.

Starter: Origianl part still operational. Used spare in trunk just in case!

Plugs: Had a set of stock NGK go 90K but I also had a set crack their seals at 35K! Go figure! Using Bosch platinum from Autozone ($2 ea)

Spark Wires: Time/Heat dependent; Use the OEM part at $40 vs $30 after market. Seem to last 120K and still be acceptable

Air and oil filters: Starting to see alot of blow-by in the oil so I use basic Fram from Walmart along with the house oil. Its cheap (motor oil is a commodity I don't see the need to pay a premium for because of the name) and I use a lot of it (3K miles cycle) 10w30 Winter, 10w40 Fall/Spring, 20w50 Summer. $5 for a Fram air filter. What else can I say?

Wiper Blades: What's up with that junk? I have to change them almost every 4 months no matter whos I use! Best bet is the Rain-X. Those winter blade seem to have loosened the wiper arm assemblies. YuK! Don't use them!

Got to go the kids are getting up! Any other questions, just ask!

[eastbaysubaru]

Quite the testament to Subaru reliablity. As for wipers, I also go through them fairly regularly. Just recently I've been cleaning them at almost every gas station stop with a paper towel and some windshield washing fluid. They work MUCH better now and I think they'll last a lot longer to boot.

-Brian

[Opie]

Well my car must be the oddity then! I noticed my drivers side rear inner boot was torn today. I was in the process of replacing the worn out lateral link bushings when I discovered the telltale grease splatterings...upon closer inspection I found the tear in the boot.

Looks like the rear axles (on the '91 anyhoo) are as simple to replace as the fronts, guess I'll be doing that soon.

[vrg3]

It's possible that many of us are driving around with torn boots on our rear axles without realizing it. The rears aren't as exposed when the boots are torn (since they don't flex as much) and probably wouldn't complain as loudly either.

[LaureltheQueen]

my rear boots are fine at 207k