Subaru 2002 IMPREZA Service Manual page 2047

C: INSPECTION
NOTE:
Do not disassemble the propeller shaft. Check the
following and replace if necessary.
1) Tube surfaces for dents or cracks
2) Splines for deformation or abnormal wear
3) Joints for non-smooth operation or abnormal
noise
4) Center bearing for free play, noise or non-
smooth operation
5) Oil seals for abnormal wear or damage
6) Center bearing for breakage
Check the following points with propeller shaft in-
stalled in vehicle.
1. JOINTS AND CONNECTIONS
1) Remove the center exhaust pipes.
2) Remove the heat shield cover.
3) Check for any looseness of the yoke flange con-
necting bolts and center bearing retaining bolts.
2. SPLINES AND BEARING LOCATIONS
1) Remove the center exhaust pipes.
2) Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3) Remove the heat shield cover.
4) Turn the propeller shaft by hand to see if abnor-
mal free play exists at splines. Also move the yokes
to see if abnormal free play exists at spiders and
bearings.
PROPELLER SHAFT
3. RUNOUT OF PROPELLER SHAFT
1) Remove the center exhaust pipes.
2) Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3) Remove the heat shield cover.
4) Turn the rear wheels by hand to check for
"runout" of propeller shaft.
NOTE:
Measure the runout with a dial gauge at the center
of front and rear propeller shaft tubes.
Runout:
Limit 0.6 mm (0.024 in)
4. CENTER BEARING FREE PLAY
1) Remove the front and center exhaust pipes.
2) Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3) Remove the heat shield cover.
4) While holding the propeller shaft near center
bearing with your hand, move it up and down, and
left and right to check for any abnormal bearing free
play.
B3M1602
DS-17
DRIVE SHAFT SYSTEM
(A) Propeller shaft
(B) Dial gauge
B3M1603A
B3M1604