It's easy enough to replace the grease in the axles to see.

 

I'd recommend buying the extended axles, for a lifted Forester. With the lift, OEM axles are extended beyond where they would normally be positioned.

More Information for TRAKMOTIVE SB8065XTT

 

Did you get an alignment afterwards? Are your tires new or used, are they properly balanced?

 

Thanks, guys. Sorry for the confusion, yes, I do have a 2003 also, but it mysteriously partly shredded a timing belt and lunched the valves. It is now a project waiting for another day... There was little to no change regarding wheels, tires, alignment, etc. It had no vibration before the lift, then significant vibration immediately after the lift. I am confident that I have eliminated all possibilities other than the front axles. What is interesting is that I lifted my '03 two inches also and had no problems with it. After lifting my '09, it appeared to me that the front axles had a more severe angle to them as compared to the front axles on my lifted '03. It appeared to me that the factory ride height of the '09 was higher than the factory ride height of the '03.... So, what I'm wondering is, is the potentially higher factory ride height of the '09 due to simply using taller springs, such that a '09 would already come with increased angles on the front axles, even before lifting? This would explain why my 2" lift on the '03 had no issues with the front axles, whereas the 2"lift on the '09 appears to possibly exceed the front axles capabilities.... Just a theory, but would love to know if anyone can confirm any of this. Doesn't confirm that my axles are the problem but it would be one more indicator that it is likely. What's strange is that the axles are tight, with no play.....

 

Thanks, soobyhobby, for the extended axle link. I've seen those before but don't know anyone who has tried them. It shows they are specific to '09 models manufactured after 3/11/09, but mine was manufactured in June of '08 but is an '09 model. Any idea if those would work? Thanks.

 

I bot these for my 2" Raceland lifted 09 Forester, along with a little longer driveshaft, but I've developed a noise transmission, so I haven't installed these parts yet.
I put a 5sp from a 2004 FXT in my Forester, to drop the gearing from 4.11 to 4.44. And also installed a 4.44 LSD.
The axles fit SH gens. (09-13 model)

 

Thanks, any idea why the manufacture indicates the axles are not for 09 models produced before 3/12/09? That will sure be a great setup when you're done. Is that drilled and slotted rotors I see on the front?