How Do the Axle Shaft, Drive Shaft, and Universal Joint Function in the Power Transmission System on a Subaru Outback?

The driveshaft, connecting the transaxle and rear differential, uses a splined sleeve yoke and is bolted to the differential pinion flange. It has universal joints at both ends and a third behind the center bearing, a ball-type bearing in a rubber cushion. All models have two front and rear axle shafts, with an inner and outer ball-and-cage type CV joint or a tri-pot inner joint and a ball-and-cage outer joint. The inner CV joint can be disassembled, but the axleshaft and outer CV joint cannot. Driveshaft issues are typically signaled by noise or vibration while driving.

Genuine Subaru Outback Universal Joint

U-Joint

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16 Universal Joints found

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Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34170AE050
$145.20 MSRP: $212.28
You Save: $67.08 (32%)
Ships in 1-3 Business Days
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Product Specifications
- Other Name: Universal Joint Assembly-Steering; Coupling, U-Joint Coupling
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2000-2004 Subaru Outback | Baja, Baja-B, Baja-S, Base, Cold Weather, Flat6, Flat6 L.L.Bean, Flat6-S, Limited, SUS Flat6, SUS Limited | 2.5L H4, 2.5L H4 Turbo, 3.0L H6
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Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34170AG021
$183.55 MSRP: $268.35
You Save: $84.80 (32%)
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Product Specifications
- Other Name: Universal Joint Assembly-Steering
- Replaced by: 34170AG023
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2005-2009 Subaru Outback | 2.5i, 2.5i Base, 2.5i Limited, 3.0R, 3.0R Limited, GT, GT Limited | 2.5L H4, 2.5L H4 Turbo, 3.0L H6
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Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34170AJ030
$192.93 MSRP: $282.07
You Save: $89.14 (32%)
Ships in 1-3 Business Days
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Product Specifications
- Other Name: Universal Joint Assy Lhd ; Universal Joint Assembly-Steering
- Replaced by: 34170AJ031
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2010-2012 Subaru Outback | 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 3.6R, 3.6R Limited, 3.6R Premium | 2.5L H4 SOHC, 3.6L H6
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Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34170AG041
$216.43 MSRP: $316.42
You Save: $99.99 (32%)
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Product Specifications
- Other Name: Universal Joint Assembly-Steering; Coupling, U-Joint Coupling
- Replaced by: 34170AG043
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2005-2009 Subaru Outback | 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 3.0R, 3.0R Limited, 3.0R LL-Bean, Base, GT, GT Limited, XT Limited | 2.5L H4, 2.5L H4 Turbo, 3.0L H6
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Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34170AJ020
$193.05 MSRP: $282.23
You Save: $89.18 (32%)
ADD TO CART
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Universal Joint Assy Lhd ; Universal Joint Assembly-Steering
- Replaced by: 34170AJ021
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2010-2012 Subaru Outback | 2.5GT Limited, 2.5GT Premium, 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 3.6R, 3.6R Limited, 3.6R Premium | 2.5L H4 SOHC, 2.5L H4 Turbo, 3.6L H6
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Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34170AL000
$175.64 MSRP: $256.78
You Save: $81.14 (32%)
Ships in 1-3 Business Days
ADD TO CART
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Univiversal Joint Assy Lho ; Universal Joint Assembly-Steering; Coupling, U-Joint Coupling
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2015-2019 Subaru Outback | 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Touring, 3.6R, 3.6R Limited, 3.6R Premium, 3.6R Touring | 2.5L H4, 3.6L H6
View related parts
Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34170AJ021
$193.05 MSRP: $282.23
You Save: $89.18 (32%)
ADD TO CART
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Universal Joint Assy Lhd ; Universal Joint Assembly-Steering; Coupling, U-Joint Coupling
- Replaces: 34170AJ020
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2010-2014 Subaru Outback | 2.5GT Limited, 2.5GT Premium, 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Sport, 3.6R, 3.6R Limited, 3.6R Premium | 2.5L H4 DOHC, 2.5L H4 SOHC, 2.5L H4 Turbo, 3.6L H6
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Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34170AL010
$175.35 MSRP: $256.37
You Save: $81.02 (32%)
Ships in 1-3 Business Days
ADD TO CART
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Univiversal Joint Assy Lhs ; Universal Joint Assembly-Steering; Coupling, U-Joint Coupling
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2015-2019 Subaru Outback | 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Sport, 3.6R, 3.6R Limited, 3.6R Premium | 2.5L H4, 3.6L H6
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Subaru Outback Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34170AN010
$175.65 MSRP: $256.80
You Save: $81.15 (32%)
Ships in 1-3 Business Days
ADD TO CART
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Univ Jt Assy Lhs
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2020-2021 Subaru Outback | 2.4R Limited, 2.4R Touring, 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Sport, 2.5i Touring | 2.4L H4 DIT, 2.5L H4 DI
View related parts
Subaru Outback Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34170AN000
$175.65 MSRP: $256.80
You Save: $81.15 (32%)
Ships in 1-3 Business Days
ADD TO CART
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Univ Jt Assy Lho
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2020-2021 Subaru Outback | 2.4R F/R-O, 2.4R Limited, 2.4R Touring, 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Touring | 2.4L H4 DIT, 2.5L H4 DI
View related parts
Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34170AJ031
$192.93 MSRP: $282.07
You Save: $89.14 (32%)
ADD TO CART
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Universal Joint Assy Lhd ; Universal Joint Assembly-Steering; Coupling, U-Joint Coupling
- Replaces: 34170AJ030
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2010-2014 Subaru Outback | 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Touring, 3.6R, 3.6R Limited, 3.6R Premium, 3.6R Touring | 2.5L H4 DOHC, 2.5L H4 SOHC, 3.6L H6
View related parts
Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34170AE040
$140.68 MSRP: $205.67
You Save: $64.99 (32%)
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Universal Joint Assembly-Steering; Coupling, U-Joint Coupling
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2000-2004 Subaru Outback | Brighton, GT, L, L-S | 2.5L H4
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Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34160AA010
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Universal Joint Assembly-Steering; Coupling, U-Joint Coupling, Yoke
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 1996-1999 Subaru Outback | Brighton, GT, L, LS, LS-I | 2.2L H4 , 2.2L H4 (New EVAPO), 2.2L H4 Series, 2.5L H4
View related parts
Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34160AA020
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Universal Joint Assembly-Steering
- Replaces: 34160AA000
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 1996-1999 Subaru Outback | Post | 2.2L H4, 2.2L H4 (New EVAPO), 2.2L H4 Series
View related parts
Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34160AA000
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Universal Joint Assembly-Steering
- Replaced by: 34160AA020
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 1996-1998 Subaru Outback | Post | 2.2L H4 , 2.2L H4 (New EVAPO)
View related parts
Subaru Outback Steering Universal Joint Assembly
Part Number: 34160AC030
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Sb040901 Univ Joint Assy ; Universal Joint Assembly-Steering; Coupling, U-Joint Coupling
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Subaru's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 1996-1999 Subaru Outback | Out Back, SUS | 2.2L H4 , 2.2L H4 (New EVAPO), 2.5L H4

Subaru Outback Universal Joint

The Subaru Outback Universal Joint allows the driveshaft to flex while still effectively delivering torque to the axle. This helps retain comfort and traction when the suspension moves. Each Universal Joint is positioned at both the front and rear of the shaft. These joints connect the transmission slip yoke or the differential flange to the rotating tube. They control the changing angles formed by bumps, corners, and changing loads on many Outback models. A forged cross referred to as a trunnion spins inside each Universal Joint. The trunnion itself spins on tiny needle bearings inside hardened steel cups. C-clips lock the cups into matching bores so that they cannot come loose while spinning at high speed. Subaru joints from the factory come pre-packed with grease that is already inside every cup, allowing for silent movement until the grease dries. Another type that features a small grease fitting allows owners to inject new grease into the Universal Joint and prolong its life. This is helpful for vehicles that drive on dusty roads or carry heavy loads. A failing Universal Joint, regardless of style, will produce clunks during gear changes, squeaking at low speed, and vibration at high speed. It is important to replace it promptly to prevent damage to the Subaru driveline and maintain the expected solid feel from an Outback adventure.

Our website stands as the go-to online destination for OEM Subaru Outback Universal Joint. With complete lines of genuine Subaru Outback Universal Joint available at unbeatable market prices, we ensure top quality, reliability, and durability. Each part comes backed by the manufacturer's warranty, reinforcing your trust in our offerings.

Subaru Outback Universal Joint Parts Questions & Experts Answers

Steering Universal Joint Assembly
34170AE050
Q:
How Do the Axle Shaft, Drive Shaft, and Universal Joint Function in the Power Transmission System on a Subaru Outback?
Posted by Evan R.
A:
The driveshaft, connecting the transaxle and rear Differential, uses a splined sleeve yoke and is bolted to the differential pinion flange. It has universal joints at both ends and a third behind the center bearing, a ball-type bearing in a rubber cushion. All models have two front and rear axle shafts, with an inner and outer ball-and-cage type CV joint or a tri-pot inner joint and a ball-and-cage outer joint. The inner CV joint can be disassembled, but the axleshaft and outer CV joint cannot. Driveshaft issues are typically signaled by noise or vibration while driving.
Answered by Subaru Parts Specialist Jesse / Aug 19, 2023