What timing, mine developed a very bad vibration this weekend on a 300 mile trip. I'm speculating a bad joint in the driveshaft, I'll be raising it up tonight and looking at it for sure. I'll keep you updated as to what I find/replace.

Aaron

 

My 2000 wagon developed this problem a couple of months ago and I posted a thread about it here. I looked at the place you show in your link but you will notice that the 2000 model year is skipped in their Outback driveshafts so I didn't get a chance to try them out.

In my case I ended but spending 675 for a new shaft and installing it myself. I disconnected the exhaust mid-pipe from the catalytic converter and the pipe dropped down out of the way. I didn't need to remove it from the car or disconnect anything at the rear muffler. The I disconnected the oxygen sensor cable connector and removed the heat shield for access to the drive shaft. I drained the auto transmission (needed fluid change badly anyway). I disconnected the 4 bolts on rear U joint and the two holding the center bearing to the car and slid the shaft out.

Generally speaking, I don't believe that these shafts are intended to be repaired. The parts are not sold anywhere and the U joints are pressed and staked in place. Not that a drive shaft guru couldn't repair one, its just not for the average guy to do in his driveway. The problem with mine was that the front U joint was frozen. the lack of flexibility cause the center bearing to thrash about in its mount and make the knocking noise.

I would suggest getting all four wheels off the ground on good jack stands. Put the transmission in neutral so that you can spin the rear wheels to gain access to the bolts on the rear U joint. Use the emergency brake to lock things up when you are applying leverage to the bolts.

Not sure how much of this applies to your model year. Have fun.