Sway bar Mod picture tutorial - Subaru Outback

problemchild200 · 05-15-2010, 04:21 PM

I finally got around to installing my factory STI bar. I bought the bar on line from a dealer that had a good price. After installing I took the car for a test drive. The bar really helps cut down on some of the under steer. It does NOT eliminate the under steer. I would think you might need a 22mm or larger bar to eliminate it. The STI bar is a good bar for those who want better on highway and good off highway performance.

A few things you need to know.

You do NOT need to jack up the car.
You do NOT need new end links.
You DO need new larger bushings but the bar I ordered came with them.
You DO need a 12mm and 14mm socket and ratchet.
You do NOT need to drive the car up on ramps.

This was the easiest mod I have ever done. On a scale of playschool to rocket engineer its a playschool +1.

How to:
Crawl under car.
Un-bolt 2 14mm link nuts
Un-bolt 4 12mm bushing bolts
Remove bar
Place new larger bushing on new bar
Place new bar into position
Insert one end link and thread on 14mm nut
Insert other end link and thread on 14mm nut
Screw in 4 12mm bolts through bushing brackets
Tighten all nuts and bolts.
Test drive

ardvark11 · 05-15-2010, 04:43 PM

Nice pup!

Thanks for the photo's.

akwagon · 05-15-2010, 06:26 PM

dug01 · 05-15-2010, 07:54 PM

Thanks for another great "DIY" write-up....I'm ordering for sure. How does the dog like the new bar??

scoobydoo2 · 05-15-2010, 08:01 PM

Once again...you are the master of the mod...we should make you the mod...erator

I take it that the dog is the service manager...

problemchild200 · 05-15-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoobydoo2

Once again...you are the master of the mod...we should make you the mod...erator

I take it that the dog is the service manager...

Why yes he is and he is a heck of a lot smarter than the ones Ive dealt with so far.

meagleson · 05-17-2010, 09:43 AM

Do you have torque settings for those nuts/bolts? Just curious

hammer6048 · 05-17-2010, 10:44 AM

Nice dog, thinking of of the same mod. Nice dog.

fosto · 05-17-2010, 10:54 AM

Um...just one problem... It looks like your new bar is mounted upside down.

Compare pic #1 of the original bar with pic #12 of the new bar. The offset section of the bar is supposed to be oriented so that is rises up to ensure it clears the exhaust pipe. I'm sure the handling benefit is no different in this configuration but you are likely to hear a bad rattle when driving with a full load instead of just the pup in the back.

loudog · 05-17-2010, 02:11 PM

where did you purchase the sti bar?

05-15-2010, 04:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
problemchild200 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: long beach, ca Car: 2010 cvt 2.5 white Posts: 568 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sway bar Mod picture tutorial I finally got around to installing my factory STI bar. I bought the bar on line from a dealer that had a good price. After installing I took the car for a test drive. The bar really helps cut down on some of the under steer. It does NOT eliminate the under steer. I would think you might need a 22mm or larger bar to eliminate it. The STI bar is a good bar for those who want better on highway and good off highway performance. A few things you need to know. You do NOT need to jack up the car. You do NOT need new end links. You DO need new larger bushings but the bar I ordered came with them. You DO need a 12mm and 14mm socket and ratchet. You do NOT need to drive the car up on ramps. This was the easiest mod I have ever done. On a scale of playschool to rocket engineer its a playschool +1. How to: Crawl under car. Un-bolt 2 14mm link nuts Un-bolt 4 12mm bushing bolts Remove bar Place new larger bushing on new bar Place new bar into position Insert one end link and thread on 14mm nut Insert other end link and thread on 14mm nut Screw in 4 12mm bolts through bushing brackets Tighten all nuts and bolts. Test drive

05-15-2010, 08:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
scoobydoo2 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada...the great white north Car: 3rd Subaru. 2011 Ouback Limited with NAV Posts: 2,559 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Once again...you are the master of the mod...we should make you the mod...erator I take it that the dog is the service manager... __________________ The human soul, in some ways like good helium, expands to whatever environment it has. Or conversely sinks to whatever ditch it is offered. That's where the real battles are waged-and waged continually. David Adams Richards ZeeMaps - Subaru Outback.Org Owner Location: Show us where you are.

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05-15-2010, 04:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
ardvark11 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Columbia, MD Car: 2010 Outback Azurite Blue 3.6R Limited and 2001 Outback wagon 2.5 Posts: 876 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Nice pup! Thanks for the photo's.

05-15-2010, 06:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
akwagon Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Anchorage, AK Car: 2010 OB 3.6R Posts: 35 Feedback Score: 0 reviews

05-15-2010, 07:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
dug01 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Western New York Car: 2010 Outbook Limited 3.6 Silver Steel, XM Posts: 199 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for another great "DIY" write-up....I'm ordering for sure. How does the dog like the new bar??

05-17-2010, 09:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
meagleson Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Virginia Car: 2010 Outback 3.6R Azurite Blue Pearl w/Nav & Moonroof Posts: 42 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Do you have torque settings for those nuts/bolts? Just curious

05-17-2010, 10:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
hammer6048 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North Posts: 96 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Nice dog, thinking of of the same mod. Nice dog.

05-17-2010, 10:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
fosto Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Car: '10 Outback 3.6R Ltd Posts: 37 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Um...just one problem... It looks like your new bar is mounted upside down. Compare pic #1 of the original bar with pic #12 of the new bar. The offset section of the bar is supposed to be oriented so that is rises up to ensure it clears the exhaust pipe. I'm sure the handling benefit is no different in this configuration but you are likely to hear a bad rattle when driving with a full load instead of just the pup in the back.

05-17-2010, 02:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
loudog Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: small pebble, ar Posts: 49 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	where did you purchase the sti bar?

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