2003 Outback axle replacement

[GTDrifter]

Replaced the axle in my fiance's outback today. It was the project from hell. The axle would not budge from the hub even after going at it with a sledgehammer. Bought an axle puller and still had to use my breaker bar to turn the center bolt. While doing this I bent the axle. Finally got the old axle out and put the new one on. Find out the bottom strut bolt and one lug had damaged threads. Replacing it all soon. I started around noon and I'm still at it. It should have only taken half an hour.

Has anyone else ever had this much difficulty to do what should have been a quick and easy fix?

[dodik]

there are number of folks on subaruoutback. org that had similar issues. You not the only one unfortunate. Just remember that roll pin is oriented in such a way that if you flip it 180* it will look like it will work but take much more force to install. If you get the hole lined up properly it should slide in pretty easily.

[GTDrifter]

Tried both directions. Its all together and there no more steering issues.