Front Axle: Removal

Lift up the vehicle, and then remove the front wheels.
Remove the axle nut.
CAUTION: Do not loosen the axle nut while the front axle is loaded. Doing so may damage the hub bearing.
1. Lift the crimped section of axle nut.
2. Remove the axle nut using a socket wrench while depressing the brake pedal.
  
  Fig 1: Removing Axle Nut Using Socket Wrench
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the front disc brake caliper from the front axle housing.
1. Remove the mounting bolts, and then remove the front disc brake caliper.
2. Prepare wiring harnesses etc. to be discarded, and suspend the front disc brake caliper from the shock absorber with the harnesses.
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Front Disc Brake Caliper Suspended From Shock Absorber
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the disc rotor.
NOTE: When the disc rotor is difficult to be removed from the front hub unit bearing, screw in 8 mm (0.31 in) bolt to the threaded part of the disc rotor (A), and remove the disc rotor.

Fig 3: Identifying Disc Rotor With Bolt
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the tie-rod end.
1. Pull out the cotter pin.
2. Remove the castle nut.
3. Use a tie-rod ball joint puller to detach the tie-rod end.
  CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the boot of the joint.
  
  Preparation tool:
  
  Tie-rod ball joint puller
  
  Fig 4: Detaching Tie-Rod End Using Tie-Rod Ball Joint Puller
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the bolts, and remove the front ABS wheel speed sensor.

Fig 5: Locating Front ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Bolt
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the stabilizer link and ball joint.
CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the boot of the joint.

Fig 6: Locating Stabilizer Link And Ball Joint Bolt And Nut
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Using a bar, remove the front drive shaft from transmission.
CAUTION: Be careful not to allow the bar to damage holder area.
Remove the front drive shaft assembly from the hub. If it is hard to remove, use the ST.
Preparation tool:

ST1: AXLE SHAFT PULLER (926470000)

ST2: AXLE SHAFT PULLER PLATE (28099PA110)

Fig 7: Removing Front Drive Shaft Assembly Using ST
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Place an alignment marks on the camber adjusting bolt and front axle housing.
Remove two bolts to remove the front axle housing from the strut.