Tom you are correct. I also need to grind down the transmission output shaft. I pulled the bell shaped dirt/grease gaurd off the back of the trans (came off easily) so I could see exactly where my drive shaft (DS) is bottoming out.
I'm hitting the output shaft of the trans. Looks like I have
two options.
- Go to a shop and get 3/8" to 1/2" cut off the front piece of the DS.
- Carefully grind 3/8" off the tip of the trans output shaft and cut a 3/8" ring from the cup of the DS.
I'm going with option 2. That will give me the needed free play with no added expense. Looks like cutting the cup is not the only mod when using a DS from a manual 96' Outback with a 2002 WRX 5mt.
More to follow ...