Left front axle assembly replaced at 71k miles, normal/expected?

[LegacyManCT]

Hi,

For a couple of months, my 2016 Legacy was making a clicking noise when maneuvering from a main road to a parking lot. Had the wheels aligned today and asked the dealer to check the clicking noise, which was getting more frequent.

Was told that I had to replace the left front assembly replaced. Is that expected for a 7-year car with 71k miles? I had other Subarus (3 Foresters before, 1 still with me) and 2 made past 120k miles without major repairs - always followed the recommended maintenance plan.

Thoughts? I feel like jumping off Subaru when I get my next car. I also had to replace the spring in the steering rack assembly at 65k miles.

 

[ammcinnis]

20 hours ago, LegacyManCT said:

Thoughts? I feel like jumping off Subaru when I get my next car. I also had to replace the spring in the steering rack assembly at 65k miles.

Thoughts? That yours may be a case of unrealistic expectations. Premature wear of a Subaru axle shaft is neither "normal" nor "common," but it does happen occasionally. It may or may not be related to the service history of your particular vehicle. That said, I would probably seek a second opinion from a competent independent shop, preferably a Subaru specialist, before having an axle shaft replaced.

FWIW, Subaru does not design or manufacture their own steering racks. That is a KYB OEM product.

[Beamercub]

No, it's not normal.  My 2015 had the front left wheel bearing replace at only 16k miles and rear diff was replaced at 21k.  I'm at 122k miles now and all wheel bearing have been replaced.   My passenger rear wheel bearing is needing replacement soon as well.  Front shocks have been replaced, passenger front ball joint, all bushings front and rear replaced..  Doing the bearings is easier now with the cartridge design bolt on/off..   Doing pressed in wheel bearings can be a pain and almost impossible without a press.  The front end on the 6th gen has always seemed wonky to me, even more so in the 3.6R.  I miss having a good old hydraulic steering sytem.

[silverton]

On 12/1/2023 at 1:59 PM, LegacyManCT said:

Hi,

For a couple of months, my 2016 Legacy was making a clicking noise when maneuvering from a main road to a parking lot. Had the wheels aligned today and asked the dealer to check the clicking noise, which was getting more frequent.

Was told that I had to replace the left front assembly replaced. Is that expected for a 7-year car with 71k miles? I had other Subarus (3 Foresters before, 1 still with me) and 2 made past 120k miles without major repairs - always followed the recommended maintenance plan.

Thoughts? I feel like jumping off Subaru when I get my next car. I also had to replace the spring in the steering rack assembly at 65k miles.

 

Spring in the steering rack assembly?  You mean the TSB for the bit of looseness that's felt when the rack isn't powered?  You didn't HAVE to do that...

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Subaru/Legacy/2017/tsbs/tsb-04-17-17-r.shtml

18 minutes ago, Beamercub said:

No, it's not normal.  My 2015 had the front left wheel bearing replace at only 16k miles and rear diff was replaced at 21k.  I'm at 122k miles now and all wheel bearing have been replaced.   My passenger rear wheel bearing is needing replacement soon as well.  Front shocks have been replaced, passenger front ball joint, all bushings front and rear replaced..  Doing the bearings is easier now with the cartridge design bolt on/off..   Doing pressed in wheel bearings can be a pain and almost impossible without a press.  The front end on the 6th gen has always seemed wonky to me, even more so in the 3.6R.  I miss having a good old hydraulic steering sytem.

Every cars suspension should be refreshed every 70-100k miles to keep the car performing like it did when new. I don't know what's different about the 3.6's steering though, afaik it's identical to the 2.5.  Just so you're aware, Subaru was very late to the game on the electronic steering. I worked on a 2006 Saturn Vue the other day, electric steering. My buddy bought a brand new '13 Accord and had to replace two of his wheel bearings under warranty.  He was also close to 300lbs and it was the driver side wheel bearings that needed to be replaced, coincidence? Depending on how the vehicle is loaded will certainly play a part in how long particular components last.

All that being said.  Cars are NOT built to last; they're throw away objects, they want you to buy a new one, and the 6th/7th gen legacy/outback is unfortunately succumbing to that.  Other cars have the exact same issues and are a lot more expensive to work on.  cost of repairs/maintenance over 5 years on a 17 legacy 3.6 vs 17 audi a4(6) 2.0 turbo quattro (8990 vs 13493(15456)). Yeah I'll keep the subaru even if I have to put an extra axle and battery in it.

My '01 legacy has 230k on it, I've put 31 of that on there, I've only put 12k on my '17 3.6 and I already feel like it just wont be in similar condition at 230k; and it's not for lack of trying.

[MoleMan]

On 12/2/2023 at 10:35 AM, ammcinnis said:

Thoughts? That yours may be a case of unrealistic expectations. Premature wear of a Subaru axle shaft is neither "normal" nor "common," but it does happen occasionally. It may or may not be related to the service history of your particular vehicle. That said, I would probably seek a second opinion from a competent independent shop, preferably a Subaru specialist, before having an axle shaft replaced.

FWIW, Subaru does not design or manufacture their own steering racks. That is a KYB OEM product.

Very well said.

 

Just for comparison. I have a 2015 Lexus GS 350 AWD(Non F Sport). The car has 73,000 miles on it and I need to replace the pinion seal on the front differential.  Part is $50 dollars and requires 9 hours of labor doing it the quick way. Dealer wants to charge $3,900 for the repair at 23 hours of labor.  My mechanic will do it in about 8.

But this proves that failures happen to any brand car.  So far my only grip with my Gen 4 Legacys have been the wheel bearings going out very early.  The 3.6 has been trouble free in the 57,000 miles I have had it.

I mean even my daily Honda Civic has had some issues and had to have the VTEC solenoid replaced at about 20k miles now its at 200k no issues.

So once again issues happen with any car.