This modification is for upgrading the stock rear sway bar (RSB) to the OEM Subaru 19mm RSB. The general purpose of this upgrade is to reduce understeer and increase roll resistance. Handling characteristics are noticeably improved at highway speeds, however you may experience a slightly "stiffer" ride in city driving (but cornering all around feels better).
Equipment needed: OEM Subaru 19mm Sway Bar (P/N 20451FG020 you can get here), two larger stabilizer bushings (P/N 20464FG020 x 2 you can get here)
Tools needed: Socket wrench and sockets, torque wrench (optional), pliers (optional), ramps (optional)
Level of difficulty: Low
Time needed: 30 minutes
It is not necessary to drive the rear wheels onto ramps or use a jack/jack stands, however if you have them available it will give you more space to work in.
First, you need to locate the stock RSB under the rear of the vehicle and remove the four 12mm bushing bolts (orange circles below). Next, remove the two 14mm end link nuts (blue circle below). NOTE: the 14mm bolts have a tendency to be rusted (mine were) so I used pliers on one side and on the other side removed the nut with a socket wrench.
Remove the stock RSB and stock bushings, then install the 19mm RSB and new, larger bushings. Bolt everything back up (the torque specs are as follows: 12mm bolts - 28.0 ft-lbs; 14mm bolts - 24.3 ft-lbs). One thing to take note of us to make sure the hump in the middle of the RSB is facing upward, i.e. away from the exhaust pipe as in the picture below:
And you're done! Enjoy better handling.
Reference: https://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/104-gen-4-2010-present/24867-sway-bar-mod-picture-tutorial.html
The picture links were dead and didn't fully explain some potential problems areas so I thought I'd write a new one.
Equipment needed: OEM Subaru 19mm Sway Bar (P/N 20451FG020 you can get here), two larger stabilizer bushings (P/N 20464FG020 x 2 you can get here)
Tools needed: Socket wrench and sockets, torque wrench (optional), pliers (optional), ramps (optional)
Level of difficulty: Low
Time needed: 30 minutes
It is not necessary to drive the rear wheels onto ramps or use a jack/jack stands, however if you have them available it will give you more space to work in.
First, you need to locate the stock RSB under the rear of the vehicle and remove the four 12mm bushing bolts (orange circles below). Next, remove the two 14mm end link nuts (blue circle below). NOTE: the 14mm bolts have a tendency to be rusted (mine were) so I used pliers on one side and on the other side removed the nut with a socket wrench.
Remove the stock RSB and stock bushings, then install the 19mm RSB and new, larger bushings. Bolt everything back up (the torque specs are as follows: 12mm bolts - 28.0 ft-lbs; 14mm bolts - 24.3 ft-lbs). One thing to take note of us to make sure the hump in the middle of the RSB is facing upward, i.e. away from the exhaust pipe as in the picture below:
And you're done! Enjoy better handling.
Reference: https://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/104-gen-4-2010-present/24867-sway-bar-mod-picture-tutorial.html
The picture links were dead and didn't fully explain some potential problems areas so I thought I'd write a new one.