This video was awesome, appreciate the effort. While I was looking into doing this mod, your video answered alot of my questions. Hows it riding?

 

Just ordered my 19mm yesterday! Can't wait to install it, should help dramatically with the body roll and the 2" lift.

 

I ordered it from the online store that everyone here uses..but I'm a bit disappointed at the speed. I placed the order last Saturday, didint ship out till Thursday, and I'm getting it Monday.

 

which one is better, the 19mm or the 20mm bar?

 

The 20mm. The ratio of front to rear sway bar stiffness effects oversteer/understeer. Stock the Ouback has a bit of understeer. With the 20 it is much more neutral without going too far and getting oversteer. There is also less body roll, and it's cheaper. Bumps that hit only one side of the car may be felt more, but I didn't notice it. Bumps that hit both sides, like speedbumps, are not effected by the swaybars. The 20mm bar wasn't available until 2015 when it was used on the STI. The 19mm has been a popular upgrade for many years, and seems to have a lot of momentum.

 

Do you think aftermarket STI bars would bolt right up?
Seems like they come in everything from 22mm to 26mm

 

They should. I've heard about people using them on the Legacy. You should get new end links too. And if you go for a really big rear bar then you should also upgrade the front to prevent oversteer. All this will cost quite a bit, and seems like overkill for an Outback. I'm really pleased with the 20mm bar, it was a huge improvement.

 

I have a 20mm bar on my 2017 OB Touring.
Took about a half hour at casual pace to install. OEM end links bolt right on.
The ride has flattened out when turning and "maneuvering", no change in straight line comfort.
Some people report better lane holding in cross winds, I have no comment on that effect.

I recommend investing in a 14mm ratcheting box wrench, it makes end link removal and reinstall much easier. You also need a 5mm allen wrench.

I found it very difficult to get 28# of tork on the bushing bolts. I went with 25#.

I did the whole job in my driveway, laying on a piece of cardboard, no lifting or jacking of the car needed.

 

I would have liked a different color, yellow or red maybe. Black disappears as soon as you stand up.

 

Exactly why I just painted mine red. ?

 

2017 Outback. The dealer quoted me 3 hours skilled labor to replace the 16 with the 19. I told him that you realize this is a relatively common upgrade. I wanted them to do it for my convenience obviously but wow. They are really out of touch.

 

If you live near me -Long Island, NY- I'll do it for you in my driveway, for a cup of coffee. :^)

 

Thank you for this video. It convinced me to order the 20mm RSB and have the confidence to install it myself.

I ordered the 20mm RSB a week ago. Update from Subaru Online Parts:

"The 20 mm sway bar kit is on a slight back order with Subaru." No exact ETA. Still waiting...

 

Hello every one!

Fellow 17 OB owner here.

I keep hearing about these sway bars and reading this here kinda makes me want to get one.

But for my curiosity can someone do an ELI5? A video explaining and comparing difference would be awesome! (nevermind found an EE video)


PS: Any fellow owners in Dallas ?

 

Since this seems to be such a popular mod, I wonder why Subaru hasn't incorporated them in their latest models. 2018?


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Since this seems to be such a popular mod, I wonder why Subaru hasn't incorporated them in their latest models. 2018?

For most of the people buying Outbacks, the more nimble, looser rear feels better. Not many will drive their Outback in and out of traffic in a "spirited" manner for example, so for the casual driver the stock bar is fine. Plus if you take it off road the stock bar is more forgiving over rough terrain.

 

Looking at getting a 2017 3.6R limited with 19mm RSB (for greater road stability and handling), and change the wheels to Method Racing MR-502 17" with 235-65R-17 AT tires. Majority of driving will be on road. Any comments pro/con are appreciated. Also, comments are tire brand and model is also appreciated. Thanks

 

I have that exact setup. H6 with Bronze MR-502 17 and Michelin Premier ltx 235/65 tires, 19mm bar.


My thoughts:


I love the look of the Bronze MR-502 17"! I can find my car in a parking lot sea of white Outbacks now.


This wheel tire combo adds 2.5 lbs over the stock 18's. Watch your tire choice as it could go much heavier. Also, depending on your use steer clear of too aggressive tread design in the 235 size. It could be a little too much tire for the car.


After fitment get a good 4 wheel alignment.


Depending on your use you might want to stay with the 225. The Premier ltx tire is quite a highway sort of tread design. I commonly have 500 lbs over driver weight with Lady and camping equipment or other loads and found 38/35 good pressure unloaded with 38/38 loaded. Lower pressures ride a little better but lose mpg and the steering gets heavier.


Tire-wise I would do it all over again the same - but might consider going with the 225/65 if I were going with a more aggressive tread design. Load range and tire might match my usage a little better with the 225, but the 235/65 with the Premier ltx is about right for what I am trying to do.


The 19mm bar was easy to install and I like it. Coming off a BMW e39 it really brought the Subie handling back into a ballpark I could live with. Ride didn't suffer much that I could tell.


Good luck
RW

 

I put one on and I like the modest difference in handling but the biggest improvement seems to be in the reduced effects of cross winds. This alone would have been worth the cost.
Just sayin.

James

 

Agree with installing the 19mm to get improvement in the cross winds. The rear stays firm. Now to get the front of the car to stay in place in cross winds. I have never had a car that blows around in the front like my '17. It is my #1 gripe with this car.

 

Thanks RW. I am getting the Yokohama Geolandar AT G015 tires since most driving will be highway. Any further thoughts re this combination are appreciated.

 

My opinion is that's a pretty aggressive tread for mostly highway and I would stay with the 225/65 size. Also, the load rating of the 235 would be 108 vs 102 for the 225. Bottom line is that 235 will ride like a cement mixer most likely compared to the 225.


I also like the Michelin Defender LTX in the same 225 size.


If you think any offroad driving you might tackle is along the lines of logging roads, mild fire roads and no technical jeep trails - and you don't have to face more than 2-4 inches of snow during the winter without much ice I would probably take a look at some of the less aggressive tread designs.


For the 95% on roads of highway and town, you may find more pleasure with the lower noise levels, better ride, better mpg and better handling the more highway oriented treads can offer. If you drive much cement highway especially some of the more knobby treads can really sing if noise levels bother you. As for going offroad, solid driving skill can make up for some disadvantage from a less aggressive tire on milder roads.


Another factor to consider is the 19mm sway bar and going to a 17" wheel with A/T tire from the stock 18" highway tread are inherently at odds with each other. If you do plan to use that G015 tire for much offroad you might stick with the stock sway bar.


The 8"x17" MR-502 will also give a slightly wider stance as it pushes the outside edge of the wheel out by about 1.185" This gives the car a better appearance I think, but the wider wheel tends to stiffen up the ride a little also. The wheel arch moldings complete this look and function. The 225/65 tire fits this wheel very well I think, as does the 235, so you cant's go too far wrong whatever you choose.


Think about your priorities and what you want from the ride. I like the G015, but would suggest staying with the 225 in that case- just my .02c


Hope that helps
RW

 

I've had my RSB about a year and a half if memory serves. I'm currently in a loaner Outback, and it's the first time driving an Outback other than my own since doing the upgrade. It has served as a good reminder of what a worthy upgrade it is, particularly for someone who uses the car like I do, with only very light offroading. Actual cornering differences aside, I feel like the steering just feels noticeably more ponderous in the loaner. From a safety standpoint, we do 10 - 20 trips from SoCal to Mammoth a year, and there is almost always a vicious cross wind. I drove the loaner up this weekend, and the difference in how the car gets disrupted by the crosswind compared to mine with the RSB is profound.

 

Upgrading to the 19 after driving stock for 10 months, I have to say, this is probably the best upgrade you can do for the money. Even standard driving and taking corners on exit ramps at normal speed is a drastic improvement. Doing lane changes on the highway you can feel the vehicle more planted. Best way to explain this is going from unsure wobbly to firm and controlled. If you're debating, just do it. The vehicle seems more stable and confident.

 

I wonder how necessary this RSB mod is for the 2018's with their "retuned" suspension? So far I haven't seen a need for it in my 2018, but perhaps it will become apparent when I have driven in more varied conditions, such as crosswinds.


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I can tell you that this has significantly helped with taking corners and curved ramps/roads. As for crosswinds, at highway speed feels more secure. One other thing I noticed at highway speeds is when I had to dodge someone coming into my lane, much more controlled.

 

If the 19mm (or 20mm) bar is truly better in all respects than the stock bar, with no downside tradeoffs, I still don't understand why Subaru doesn't install it as standard?

 

If the 19mm (or 20mm) bar is truly better in all respects that the stock bar, with no downside tradeoffs, I still don't understand why Subaru doesn't install it as standard?

Seems as if some said it is too stiff for off road work. ???