How to Replace Subaru Front Sway Bar Bushings

The sway bar on your front suspension does a lot of work, as it ties the front wheels together and helps to stiffen the handling as well as improve the ride quality. When the bushings in the sway bar wear out, you can hear a clunking sound when you turn, and the ride quality will suffer. Fixing it requires removing and reinstalling the sway bar, which you can do at home with basic tools. In this case, the project vehicle is a 1997 Subaru Impreza, but the process is similar for other vehicles as well.

Things You'll Need

• Jack
• Jack stands
• 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
• White lithium grease
• Replacement sway bar bushings
• Open-end wrench set

Instructions

1. Lift up the front of the Subaru, using the jack, and secure the vehicle on jack stands. Make sure the vehicle is completely secure on the jack stands before you crawl underneath it.

2. Unbolt the sway bar end links from the lower control arm, using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and an open-end wrench. You only have to disconnect the lower links, as they will come out with the sway bar.

3. Unbolt the sway bar bushings from the vehicle, using the ratchet and socket. These are located to the outside of the sway bar, near the end links.

4. Remove the stock bushings by opening up the bushing at the seam and unwrapping it from the bar. Spray the inside and outside of the replacement bushing with white lithium grease, then slide them over the sway bar.

5. Lift the sway bar up onto the Subaru, and bolt it in place using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Then connect the end links to the lower control arms, using the ratchet and socket and an open-end wrench.

6. Raise the Subaru off the jack stands, using the jack, and place it back on the ground.