100k Mile Subaru Forester CV Axle Teardown & Failure Analysis | Why Did It Fail?!

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[@radium8877]

Thank you for taking the axle down to it's components. I was able to learn how the joints work without getting my hands greasy.

[@ws_m]

Nice, clear look at a CV axle. They are a little less mysterious now. Thanks again!

[@andrewmantle7627]

Very good content. I am so glad there is somebody doing tutorials like this. Thank you Mr. Subaru.

[@bmwrules28]

Great video!!! Really cool to see inside the CV joint and the ball bearings that failed. Thanks for posting!

[@daveb7999]

Thank You, Mr Subaru! I've owned 2 Subaru Foresters and an Outback. Our latest is a 2023 Forester Premium. It's great to get an insider view of the front axle and learn what's going on there to transfer power from the front differential to the hub. With only 650 mi on our latest car, I don't anticipate any problems, lol, but knowing how things work is paramount to knowing how to, not only avoid problems, but to be aware, so if a problem does come up, I can nip it in the bud to avoid further damage. Been watching many of your videos lately, they're all very helpful. Just want you to know that your videos are extremely helpful to Subaru owners. Keep those videos coming, you're providing a great service by taking the time/ effort to keep Subaru owners in the know. We've got a 10 yr warranty on our Forester, but if I know what to watch for I can recognize a problem early on and have it taken care of right away. Good stuff, thanks for all!

[@melissavines4153]

Precise, thorough, much appreciative of your good work and good teaching.

[@Cptpoon320]

Wife's Crosstrek had the same issue at 50k, was really easy to replace the axle however the factory part was pretty expensive.

[@TheHighKirk]

eBay, the half axles are pretty affordable if you don't mind a non-brand part. With a few videos and some fairly common tools you can easily replace them. - I've got 250,000 miles on my 2010 Forester.

[@maybenot6075]

Mines got 2 non brand shafts on the left side & heavy duty pedders suspension all round, i do alot of heavy towing & the shafts are excellent

[@alantrimble2881]

@TheHighKirk Aftermarket axle assemblies often cause vibration problems on Subarus and VWs. I gave up on them years ago.

[@maxpower2496]

@@alantrimble2881 I just replaced the front left on my 2015 Outback with an aftermarket and it vibrates when I’m stopped and in gear ! Is this what you mean by vibration or vibration when running / wheel spinning? Also it kinda does it when cold after I drive it for more than 5 min and reaches temp ! It kinda stops !

[@ue4058]

This is excellent. I got my first Subaru in 1982 and have always wondered how these work!

[@liketolearn141]

Very informative. These videos are the reason why I watch. Hands-on learning

[@JenniLudes]

Very cool! Enjoyed seeing how those work. Wasn't quite what I imagined so it appears I learned something!

[@jparker1823]

Awesome breakdown! I've changed a bunch of CV joints, but I have never took one apart since there is usually a core charge to collect. 😆

[@Toolaholic7]

Not a lot of them now,all new axles

[@kidwelldavid6136]

That was something that I have never seen before. Thank You for sharing this information.

[@charleshuffman6982]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to publish all these - and for including the part numbers. Having a CV failure (normally a torn boot on our Austin America's) is not unusual for me with our British cars from the 1960's, but I've been spoiled with our Chrysler products ('80 Horizon, '84 Omni GLH, '86 Lancer Turbo, '89 Shadow, etc.) such as my '89 Neon Expresso Coupe DOHC with over 210K miles on the original 1/2 shafts. I hope my 2020 WRX follows in my Neon's foot prints with zero failures!

[@dgeo0392]

You're the best. I always learn so much from you!!

[@gAkisoferi]

Thanks for the precise explanation. Best teacher I've seen

[@paultice610]

My 2009 Subaru Forester has 172,340 miles on it still have the original cv axles and the are still quiet no unusual noises I also have a 2000 Toyota tundra that is all original with 245,450 miles on it long live older Subarus and Toyotas

[@mugsy7773]

Awesome breakdown and explanation 👌 Thanks !

[@garymeredith2441]

I'm glad you show that Mr 1387 that was the same problem that I had on my Jeep Grand Cherokee and boy this Subaru came apart a lot easier than my Jeep Grand Cherokee yep thank you for showing us .

[@josephpettijohn9116]

My 2018 outback has same issue. Front driver side. Great video!

[@JasonLunnon]

Thanks for everything on your channel. Its great

[@jamesbruno5896]

Cool video thanks for posting & Merry Christmas to you & yours!

[@MrSubaru1387]

Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@CarieGurl]

The tripodal/inboard end of the CV joint I wish i could repair mine in my own like I could have when I was younger! Wow!

[@johnreese3762]

Well done 1387! Thanks

[@theronsmith8244]

Thanks 👍😊 Just wanted to wish you and your family Merry Christmas, when it comes

[@MrSubaru1387]

Merry Christmas to you and yours! 🎄

[@oneoasis1996]

Great informative video all the best donny

[@CleanteamofNY]

I just brought a pair of CV joints this morning because the wear on the driver's side is getting worse. Anyway, my 2010 Subaru Forester has 443,333+ miles on her and it's time to replace the shocks while the front end is being worked on.

[@mr.nobody4900]

A + Tutorial. Two Thumbs Up

[@aaronnokaoi]

Very cool breakdown

[@neilh9442]

This is EXACTLY what my forester has been doing since spring. Except mine clicks in reverse and left.

[@CJ-if1ry]

Hi. Could you just replace the ball bearings, put it back together, and it would work again?

[@loulehnhoff2637]

Good video explaining defect my wife's forester started making noise turning to the right boots were not damaged so I ruled it out, guess I was wrong 95k this seems to be a common issue with subarus.

[@gcanyon3114]

Interesting that only some of the bearings failed, but the others looked completely fine. 🤔 The overall wear of the entire axle looks to be pretty minimal, so I'm wondering what the lifespan could have been if the root cause of the failure was avoided somehow.

[@apojonathan8512]

Always whatching you because my car Subaru forester 2018 model.. Thank bro..

[@1717jbs]

great vid. thanks!

[@Jerseyhighlander]

I feel like that axle failing like that in only 100k miles, with good grease still in there, had to be a latent defect. The ball bearings were probably bad straight from the factory. With the expense and trouble of replacement, I'm always confounded as to why it isn't more typical to service the CV joints at certain intervals, before they fail. Cleaning and repacking, inspecting and if need be replacing the boots, they should be able to outlast the rest of the car. The tools for doing the boot clamps are the weak link there. I've looked into buying them several times, turns into a fiasco every time, just can't find good information.

[@SV-Isla]

mine failed at 102000 plenty of grease. same issue took about 2 hours to replace both

[@LeeBv9983]

Good stuff

[@nigozeroichi2501]

When I was young and dumb, I discovered how you make your CV joints start clicking, as a young idiot I cranked the wheel all the way stuck it in reverse revved and dumped the clutch, front wheel drive reverse 🍩s in a freshly seal coated parking lot, $400 later on my back under my car in a gravel driveway replacing BOTH sides, this is how we LEARN to not beat the 💩 out of our SIX MONTH old new car, and I learned another valuable lesson with that car, after making the last payment and dropping the insurance to liability, don't park near nasty looking old trees especially when it's windy,😱 fell right on it.

[@toddb930]

Sounds like the cost of a high education.

[@juliosectionone]

great Video, Thank you for Infusing all your knowledge to me :)

[@jeffstone28]

My takeaway message from this video is: this is not a Toyota or a Honda. After having four Toyotas and four Hondas, I decided to take a leap of faith and got a 22 Outback Pemium 15 months and 18k miles ago. I've had no problems with it and do oil changes and tire rotations every 5000 mi. I'm just concerned about having a CV axle or other important suspension / drive train / engine part wear out at 100,000 mi, even with my moderate driving style. I don't think that happens to Toyotas and Hondas but people can correct me if I'm wrong. Very interesting video, however!

[@bigdaddymak1439]

No offense but Toyota and Honda have plenty of failures too. And also it depends on if it was damaged during driving. Some people are hard on vehicles by their driving style

[@maybenot6075]

They can fail at a million miles or 50miles all depending how you drive/what you drive on. You can rebuild and reseal for not very much along with the maintenance which I do as the grease does go off eventually

[@martinr8278]

@@bigdaddymak1439 you’re absolutely right. I Had issues prior with my Toyota RAV4 got rid of it, my wife’s 15 Honda Civic transmission blew at 70k miles, sorry but when I hear about how great Toyota and Hondas are and yet several of my friends with Toyotas are trading them in after their lease is up to look at other manufacturers speaks volumes. It’s all in what you enjoy but every car manufacturer has problems at some point some later some sooner

[@maybenot6075]

@@rayemanuel7460 you can, OLD SUBARUS, that's why I wont buy the modern crap. My 03 Forster has not had many issues, especially compared with my friends auris and his partners yaris, ford & german cars on the other hand you may aswel just give them free unlimited access to your bank account

[@shiloh5199]

Style of driving, type of roads your driving on, preventive maintenance and manufacturing all play a part. Honda and Toyota make great vehicles but Honda had its issues with automatic transmissions(I know from personal experience). Subaru is the only car manufacturing company that offers AWD on all of there vehicles with the exception of the BRZ platform that they share with Toyota.

[@chicken133221]

Changed out control arm, strut, swaybar links, huh assembly, rotors and brakes. Don't hear a click nose but hear a bang noise like someone is taking a hammer to something. Only happens when suspension travels. Can't figure it out.

[@happyhome41]

Most excellent !

[@jimtx5649]

Thanks. I've always wondered what's in that particular black box (how the cv joint works).

[@jojopojo9516]

Hmm. I feel like the CV axle would be worthwhile to repair rather than replace if quality parts can be found. Assuming bearing balls did not scar the housing or damage the inner race, a few dollars could be saved. I'm up to 3 Subarus now: Levorg, Legacy GT and Impreza. The Impreza only has two CV axles... and the transmission has a slightly different name.

[@adamschaafsma5839]

Crazy, the boot on my 03 WRX was torn and had grit in it and had slung out a bunch of grease but didn't have an issue. I just disassembled, cleaned, regreased, rebooted, and stuck it back in and has been good for years. Not sure if all my axles are original though bought the car @ 99,000 miles, now at 270,000.

[@Christosan88]

I recently did all the boots on the rear axles of my 02 wrx. Due to the lack of knowledge on the circlip in the diff procedure the job became A nightmare. Maybe a quick short on addressing this circlip could help others. the tech data fails to specify install procedure. after ruining an axle shaft end upon reinstall due to circlip being on the axle shaft and not reinserted into rear diff FIRST!

[@user-gv2nh4uw2i]

Easy, when installing axle shaft back into diff axle side gear,ensure circlip open side is to the bottom of shaft,slide into side gear until contact with circlip is felt,pull it back approx 1/2 an inch,firm push,and axle should pop in.Give it a few light tugs to be sure its properly in place,it never hurts to take an actual look at it too.

[@vytautasbuckus1717]

I am driving 2005 outback and still cv joints are working. In corners when I am accelerating i alredy hear a sound. Outback run 223k miles already.

[@courtneyblackwell9211]

nice post mortem......great video.

[@pedrohernandez5642]

12/11/2021 bought brand new OEM front axles for my wife's 2017 forester 106k miles at the time. 14 months/14kmiles later hearing noises when making sharp low speed turns. Junk with only 12month/12kmiles warranty.

[@NewRoute]

If the ball bearings fail, would it be possible to replace just the ball bearings and using the race and the cage? Or should the entire CV axle be replaced? If the original Subaru part fails, then theoretically it'll happen to the next CV axle. Replacing the ball bearings to something that's higher quality could work better than replacing the actual part.

[@djsi38t]

For the bearings to get like that it could only be improper lubrication,which happens with age and heat of the actual axle grease.If it could be cleaned out and regreased its a good possibility this would be avoided.

[@dazmac159]

Excellent tutorial, can just the ball bearings be replaced? Or are they possible the get?

[@pirulo87ank31]

I took my Subaru to the Subaru place to get it fixed because there was a vibration in the CV axels. They recommended that I put CV Axels after market, but the vibration stayed the same. I paid 2k for them to supposedly fix it, but nothing was fixed.

[@Christosan88]

Thank you

[@niktarasyuk8514]

Good video to share with Subaru so they could have another look at the quality of the the ball bearings and have a chat to the supplier. What on earth would crush bearings like that? Let's watch the space of Subaru CV axles problems for the next 5-10 years?

[@Techcensorshipbot]

Are those little toolboxes on your toolbox? That’s hilarious.

[@brunohsans9779]

My 2015 crosstrek clicks after I’ve driven it for more then 15min when I turn and when I back up it clunks then is fine if I’m going straight, car has 90k miles and I thought at first it might of been the center differential because the sound came from there but now it comes from where the cv axels are

[@yossibenel]

Coooooooooool

[@neill.m.herbert]

It's been asked before, but I'll be the guy to ask again... What's the OEM for Subaru CV axles? Or, what's the next best option? I've got one clicking, but thanks to inflation, there's no way I'm going to pay dealer prices to replace it, unless I want my family to eat canned worms, which is probably what I'm opening with this question, but someone had to ask it, right?

[@Mike_44]

Ahh.. I was wondering how that CV kit race & cage was taken apart, since my '05 service manual makes no mention of it. Would the '05 Outback be disassembled the same way as this newer Forester CV? Seems like the older axles were stronger. Edit: I tried and I don't think you can take the outer CV apart on a '05 Outback..

[@andrewvillavicencio8496]

Awesome, thanks. Are they re-buildable and is it worthwhile doing so?

[@gregorystone1439]

Question, could you replace the bearings and make that shaft reusable?

[@MrSubaru1387]

Yes

[@MrSubaru1387]

Well, replace/rebuild the CV joint

[@nolanguzman8538]

@@MrSubaru1387 What is the part number(s) for inner and outer kits? Or what parts in total are needed?

[@Jor0716]

Literally the exact same problem with my 2014 Forester

[@thalovemuscle]

Now teach us how to rebuild it in the next episode please!

[@liketolearn141]

I'm having the same issue now

[@michaelskinner896]

I know that the vehicle has essentially 100K on it, but would it have been possible to replace just the CV joint instead of the entire axle assembly? To me the noise you encountered was most likely CV failure. But I suspect it's easier to replace the entire assembly especially because of the mileage, rather than removal, disassembly, and diagnosis? BTW, thanks for sharing this info!

[@openleft4214]

Subaru CV axles from dealer are 400+ per axles all the aftermarket ones cause vibration. And clucking nioses when turning

[@mauricec4179]

My crosstrek is making a crispy metal clicking noise when hitting potholes above 30 kmph. Of course that can be heard when windows are down. The noise is more from passenger side. The car is still pretty new, 70k km. Could that also be a CV axle problem?

[@avereilfrancis7564]

What if it's not a popping noise but more of a grinding sound lower tone only when turning right in the rear wheel any help appreciated

[@cw5118]

I like those mini bolt cutters 😁

[@MrSubaru1387]

They’re super handy

[@victormendez.05]

I wish I would have seen this before I replaced both my axles haha. Question, where can those ball bearings be purchased? google doesnt seem to want me to find it lol, if anyone of my subaru peeps know. please share :) thanks in advance.

[@krisphoton7304]

very nice info Mr Subaru.. CV=Constant Velocity joint cuz the input and output rotations of the joint shaft/spindle R the same speed, regardless the angle of the wheel directional turn. This is NOT true in the old U joints. so, as the wheels turn directionally, we don't feel any power modulation on the steering wheel. ..5 km ago at 155km, my 03 Legacy Wagon, started giving me the tik tik noise on the straight, and when the wheels were cut all the way to turn. The noise stopped after about a week , and later I replaced the axle, cuz I did exhaust work. The secure pin was difficult to drive in! I still have not checked the root cause of the failure. The replacement axle part, was after market. The drive shaft, still uses U joints, cuz the angle is NOT steep =NO modulation. The steering column has 2 U joints, n when they dry, the driver can feel the modulation while turning the steering wheel.

[@nolanguzman8538]

Would you recommend rebuilding a OEM axle if boot wasn’t torn and/or torn?

[@RollerCoasterLineProductions]

My 2019 Premium Crosstrek just had to have the engine yanked for an oil leak. RF cam carriers and all associated seals were replaced. I got a free oil change, but they put one of those crappy blue filters on but didn’t rotate tires! Then, after I get it back I discover the light in the shifter indicator P R N D is burnt out. So it’s gotta go back. This car has only 24k and is babied and garage kept and hopefully it’s not falling apart. I saw my exact model sitting on the lot and they wanted 23500 for a premium 19 with 67k miles. I had a loaner 23 Outback w the turbo. Wow. Wish they put that engine in the crosstrek. Car was nice, but too much tech, very confusing at first but not bad after ya learn it.

[@thebagdersarse5824]

My 2016 Forester XT cam carrier/ timing cover has been leaking since the day it was delivered to the dealer.

[@aflautomotive]

Hi thanks for the great Subi vids. This might be a dumb question but is there a Left & Right cv axle. Local garage told me I need both so they want to charge me "$1700 out the door for both". They originally told me $850 for the Right. The Subaru dealership is almost as bad. They're telling me if I don't "do it now" I'm gonna get in or cause a massive accident. Does this sound legit to you? Thanks again

[@liyacornelius4376]

Thank you for a very informative video! As a consumer, I like knowing why I'm paying my dealership $1500 to replace both front axles at 100k miles on my 2016 Forester. Any statistics on fail rate for this part? What's the average life of an axle? I'm mostly city/highway driving, but lots of garage speed bumps and pot holes everywhere, so I'm not particularly surprised that my axles started to fail.

[@tonyxian6112]

I am a automotive student who also own a 2016 subaru forester, my both front axles start clicking around 80k miles, i use it as daily and as a delivery vehicle, so alot of stop and go ,cornering, run over rail roads,pthholes driving.I also had replaced both my lower control arms as well. Compare to toyota, nissan, honda , subaru's suspension part are kind of low quality.

[@ednovak6060]

How would I find the rebuild kit that would include new ball bearings? Boot kits are easy to find, but unclear on the other parts. Ideas?

[@chasedavies6055]

Do you have to grease an OEM cv axle or do they come pre-greased?

[@isack707]

Hey man. I had my front axel come off after a CV Joint replacement at my mechanic. They’re going to fix it but what other things should I ask them to check. I heard the axel hitting stuff and what not so I’m worried I may have other damages but I don’t know what to ask for or what for them to look at. Is it possible the steering parts need to be replace or the differential?

[@gottagofest1610]

Hello Mr. Subaru kinda random question but I've always wondered if you can damage automatic car windows if you keep pressing the closed button when it's closed?

[@originsofjp9929]

Mines going out on 41k miles on passenger side with a lift on for one year and I'm like the lift didn't do that but i know it increased the wear and tear

[@BigCityRips]

I have a 2012 forester at 93k miles. What would you suggest replacing at this age? All CVjoints

[@crabjoe]

What's more likely to fail, front or rear on Subarus?

[@aaronj7497]

Instead of buying a whole CV axle could you just replace the bearing balls?

[@ash-winprasad7639]

I have the same problem… I replaced passenger side… but still makes massive noise

[@crankshaft007]

Real question who makes good question axles for that year Subaru forest

[@williamturner1441]

Is there a difference between Subaru Forester parts for premium vs touring models?

[@christopherfritz3840]

Damm. JUST payed $1500+ at 72,000+ miles for a new axle on my 2018 Forrester. PLUS the desk technician said that another had already been replaced, under warranty, before I bought it at 40,000. Not good 😒

[@MrSubaru1387]

The axle’s list price is $400. How’d you pay $1,500?

[@dukeneverwinter]

how did you get the outer joint seperated?

[@mrphiscal]

Mr subaru1387 will you rebuild that axle? Can’t you get a rebuild kit for S.O.A.?

[@thebagdersarse5824]

It's a shame Subaru makes you buy a full shaft assembly instead of selling all the parts like other manufactures do.

[@tuannguyen-fg5iz]

My subaru forester 2016 has a same problem when I turn left. Do i need to replace front driver axle or front passenger axle?

[@VladivostokSubaru717]

Привет , можешь замерить сколько зубьев снаружи и внутри шруса и его размеры ? Спасибо

[@YosemiteGuy]

my 2017 Cosstreck had this issues at 33k and 59k; i baby my car and mostly drive highways; the car has been serviced and repaired at the official dealer; i am very unhappy :(

[@maubunky1]

How many miles will the outboard part last with the boot split right down the middle and slinging a little bit of grease, if it's not making a clicking noise? Will it start clicking a few weeks before it gets dangerous? Would gorilla tape hold the boot together long enough to get by a few weeks?

[@johndeere1951a]

As a rule, people notice a torn boot when it's too late. Like during winter driving and your not looking at axles, person changing oil doesn't see it because under carriage is covered in sloppy mud,salt, nastyness. Water, sand goes in, grease comes out, too late, damage done. Forget your scotch tape, gorilla snot, tin foil... it's too late.

[@anthonyedwards2252]

Can the tripod bearing on the back axle work on the front axle. Forrester 2004

[@atypicalbnc]

Given what you tend to post on your YT Shorts, how do you not have the specialty tools for this? *I know it's generally not worth the time to dissect and rebuild a CV axle, but what's social media for if you can't flex having tools so specific they have no practical value? 😛

[@MrSubaru1387]

I do have the tools somewhere, in a box of old, antiquated tools I inherited from my dad. Just don’t know where…

[@deane2974]

I can see why Subaru gets the amount of money they do for these. Quite a bit of machining going on there. I have owned a number of Subarus and never had a problem like this. How common are these types of failures?

[@rajbanwait325]

Knowledge

[@ellexusse]

Mine is a 2017 Forester with 86K miles and now clacking sound. $2500 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@Jwk7591]

Question: My 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5i makes a single clunk/pop when I make a 90 degree left turn. Only a single clunk/pop from a stop or a slow left turn. I can feel it in the steering wheel when it happens. Looked under the car, cvs boots are fine. Any suggestions? Thanks. Always great content. So easy to follow for us DIYers.

[@codyhill9087]

Does this in my legacy. Same year ect. I think it's clutch pack transferring power. As I've already changed front cv joints, so not that. And I've driven in donut since replacing and no click

[@Jwk7591]

@@codyhill9087 Thank you for the tip! I recently replaced cvs as well so was confused, especially with the single pop and not a constant clicking. I’ll check the power steering fluid and then move to the clutch pack. I was in MT last summer and managed to heat up the ATF to the point the dash warning came on. Thanks again!

[@hno7625]

The club/pop may be coming from steering rack, especially at 90 degree turn it probably reach it's maximum if that's only place you hear the noise

[@Jwk7591]

@@hno7625 Thank you! As always with cars, so many potential problem sites.

[@michaelweatherhead9470]

I couldn't get the outside to come apart it didn't cooperate with me.