You may need to service the driveshaft on your Subaru Outback if the universal joints (U-joints) at the end and center of the shaft wear out or the shaft itself needs to be replaced. Even if you are planning on taking the shaft to a professional, you can remove it at home following the proper procedure. It will help you avoid damage to the shaft and keep it in balance during the reinstallation process.
Lift the front and rear of the Subaru using a floor jack and support it on jack stands. This will provide you with enough room under the car to work on the driveshaft.
Set the transmission to Neutral and make sure the emergency brake is released.
Put on your goggles.
Detach the center and rear exhaust pipes using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket. If the mounting bolts are difficult to loosen, spray the bolts with penetrating oil and wait for a few minutes for the oil to work. Then use a breaker bar and socket to release the bolts.
Detach the muffler. If your model comes with a hook and rubber holder, apply penetrating oil to the inside of the rubber to make it easy for the hook to slide off the mounting holder. Use a standard screwdriver, as a pry bar, to release the hook.
Remove the front exhaust heat shield, using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Scrub the dirt off the drive shaft U-joints where they attach to the differential flange. Then scribe alignment marks onto the driveshaft rear yoke and differential flange using a marker. Use these marks to reinstall the driveshaft in the same exact position to keep the shaft balanced during operation.
Place a drain pan under the transmission extension housing.
Unscrew and remove only three of the four mounting bolts holding the rear of the shaft to the differential flange using a wrench or ratchet, ratchet extension and socket. Now loosen but do not remove the remaining mounting bolt.
Position a jack stand towards the middle section of the driveshaft for support and disconnect the center bearing on the driveshaft from the body, if equipped, using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Finish removing the remaining mounting bolt from the rear of the driveshaft using the wrench or ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Pry the rear of the driveshaft forward using a pry bar, just enough to provide a gap between the shaft and differential flange to lower the shaft.
Secure the driveshaft with both hands and pull the shaft off the transmission extension housing, being careful not to let the shaft hit the floor. Any small dent or damage to the shaft may cause it to vibrate during operation.
Remove the driveshaft from your Subaru.
