You can rest assured that remanufactured CV drive axles from Subaru are every bit as good as the originals.

Nothing is quite as frustrating as finding that the replacement part you are trying to install is “not exactly” correct. When you use Genuine Subaru Parts to repair your customers’ Subaru vehicles, you won’t have to worry about quality and fit.

Aftermarket parts are often made in third-world nations with inferior labor and parts. These “bargain” parts can cause problems if they don’t fit properly, lack in durability and cause the customer to bring the vehicle back to you – or worse – to another repair facility. Each time a customer brings his or her vehicle to you for service, you have one chance to fix it right. The customer is going to be concerned if the vehicle has to be brought back for proper repair. Not only is it a waste of his or her time, but he or she may begin to doubt your ability to properly fix vehicles.

It often takes several visits to gain a customer’s confidence and trust. It can be lost with just one improper repair. Instead of telling friends about the great service you provided, he or she may cast a dark shadow on your shop and skills.

Use the Best

CV drive axles are among the most important components on the vehicle – they route power to the wheels to move the vehicle down the road, while at the same time allowing for both steering and suspension movement. They must fit properly, function flawlessly, transfer torque smoothly and be extremely durable.

When you replace a CV drive axle, you want to use the very best one you can. Anything less is flirting with disaster. For optimum operation, customer satisfaction and safety, you want to replace the CV drive axle with a brand new original O.E.M. part — or one remanufactured to the very highest standards.

Subaru of America offers remanufactured CV drive axles from Cardone Industries through your local N.E.W. Horizons Subaru Dealer. Cardone is a leading global automotive parts supplier and remanufacturer established in 1970. The company has been honored with ISO 9001, QS-9000 and ISO 14001 recognition for its high-quality operations and processes by the International Standards Organization (ISO).

Cardone’s remanufacturing of Subaru CV drive axles consists of the following high-tech processes:

• Shafts are measured for straightness required for smooth function every time. Crooked shafts result in vibration. Cardone electronically tests them for straightness, cracks and O.E. M. length specifications, so you’ll get proper fit and function every time. Shafts are measured to 0.001” to ensure they are within specifications.
• High-tech grinding machines maintain the original design of the outer housing, race and cage. Cardone matches the Subaru “v-shape” geometry of the joint components to allow for adequate grease flow under the ball bearings. This method increases the life of the CV joints.
• Heat-resistant grease preserves the life of the joint.
• High-quality Neoprene boots are tested to ensure durability and longevity.
• Clamps are tightened with pneumatic machinery, creating a perfect seal between the boot and the housing.
• New axle nuts are supplied on all staked-on and torque-prevailing applications.
• Threads and splines are 100% renewed to ensure proper fit and easy installation the first time.
• Constant inspection — drive axles are tested three times by an independent testing firm during the assembly process. They are 100% end-of-line inspected for proper assembly and joint articulation.

Why Use Genuine Subaru Reman CV Drive Axles?

These are some of the reasons you should use Subaru Genuine Parts remanufactured CV drive axles:

1. Only Subaru O.E.M. axles are allowed to be remanufactured for this program. No aftermarket or previously rebuilt cores can be used for the Subaru program.
2. The durability and reliability of the Subaru reman axle process has been proven through extensive validation by an independent test lab.
3. Axle joints are 100% precision ground to ensure that all worn surfaces are refinished to pre-wear condition, so the reman axle will perform as smoothly and quietly as a new Subaru axle.   
4. No aftermarket joint components are used in the reman Subaru axle.
5. Special boots engineered for improved heat and ozone resistance are used on every Subaru axle. 
6. Where specified by the Subaru axle, approved dust shields are supplied, providing for maximum transmission and hub bearing seal protection.
7. New axle nuts are supplied on every reman Subaru axle.
8. The axle grease meets Subaru specifications. Each axle is filled in accordance with Subaru specified quantities.
9. Subaru-style clamps are pneumatically clamped to ensure an air-tight seal between the boot and CV joint housing every time. Some competitors use a “one size fits all” clamp that is tightened by “feel” — when assembly technicians “feel” the clamp is tight, they “band” the clamp. The problem with this method is that sometimes the clamp is tight, sometimes it’s too tight — actually causing a compression tear in the boot — or sometimes it’s too loose — allowing the boot to come off when the vehicle is in a turn. 

CV Drive Axle Inspection

Subaru of America, Inc. recommends inspection of the drive axles every 15,000 miles. A best-practice recommendation is to check the boots every time the vehicle is in for service. It doesn’t take long for a torn boot to lose its lubricating grease or for dirt to penetrate the unprotected joint.

Here are some basic CV drive axle inspection and service tips:

• A test dive, of course, is best to confirm any functional problems. Often, though, it‘s difficult to pinpoint the exact source of noises emanating from the axles. Raise the vehicle and make sure the transmission is in Neutral. Turning the wheels manually will normally reveal any obvious clicking or clunking noises that would indicate a damaged or worn joint.
• Look closely for obvious signs of wear or damage, such as a missing, bent or loose clamp. Use a shop light to illuminate the area well enough for a thorough inspection.
• Check for torn, cracked or punctured boots. Boots become stiff and brittle over time and from exposure to heat and automotive chemicals. They’re also subject to damage from road hazards, such as rocks, chunks of loose pavement or other debris.
• A bad boot may have been damaged for quite a while before being found. Most likely, by this time it has already lost its grease, dirt and water have entered the joint and the damage is well under way. Rubbing the grease between your fingers will tell you if dirt has mixed into it; it will feel gritty. Subaru CV drive axles require the use of a special high-temperature grease designed specifically for this purpose. Do not use ordinary lubricating grease.
• Always replace the hub nut once it has been removed. Never use an impact wrench to loosen or tighten the hub nut. Always use a breaker bar to remove the nut and a torque wrench to tighten it.

The next time you need a CV drive axle, be sure to contact your local Subaru N.E.W. Horizons Dealer for a Genuine Subaru Parts remanufactured CV drive axle. You — and your customer — can rest assured you have used the best possible replacement.

As always, refer to the correct service manual for the Subaru vehicle you are servicing for proper service information. You can also visit the Subaru Technical Information System (STIS) website at http://techinfo.subaru.com for the correct information and specifications.