How to Install a Subaru Sway Bar

Subaru WRX STi

Subarus have come a long way from their humble roots. Thanks to success in rallying, road racing and drifting, the Subaru name is now associated just as much with performance and racing. A Subaru's sway bars are critical to its handling and connect the suspension on either side of the car, one at the front and one at the rear, to control body roll during cornering.

Things You'll Need

• Socket set and ratchet
• Ramps
• Floor jack
• New front and rear sway bars
• WD-40

Instructions

1. Drive the front of the car up onto ramps. Subaru sway bars are designed to be removed and installed with the suspension loaded, so do not jack up the vehicle. Remove the screws that hold the plastic undertray onto the car.

2. Attempt to remove the center mounts for the sway bar. If you can't remove them, you will need to remove the subframe. Remove the five bolts on either side of the subframe and the two on the front. Place a jack under the subframe before you remove all of the bolts so that it does not fall down. Lower the subframe.

3. Spray WD-40 onto the sway bar bracket bolts and the end link bolts. Loosen the mounts for the sway bar but do not remove them. Remove the end links from the sway bar with a socket and ratchet. Remove the center mounts. Maneuver the bar out of the vehicle, taking care not to hang it up on the power steering lines or any other wires.

4. Apply a generous amount grease to the bracket and the new sway bar bushings. Put the new bar in place. Install the bushings. Place the sway bar brackets over the sway bar. Hand tighten the bolts for the brackets.

5. Install the end links on the new sway bar and tighten them. Tighten the center mounts and then recheck to make sure the end links are tightened as well. Replace the subframe in the reverse of removal if it was removed. Replace the plastic undertray. Drive the car off of the ramps.

6. Drive the rear of the car up onto ramps to allow access to the rear sway bar. Spray WD-40 onto the sway bar bracket bolts and the end link bolts. Loosen the bolts that hold the sway bar mounting bracket on. Remove the bolts for the sway bar end links. Finish removing the mounting bracket on. Lower the bar out of the car.

7. Slide the new bar into place. You may need to maneuver it over the exhaust system and around the suspension. Apply a generous amount grease to the bracket and the new sway bar bushings. Loosely bolt the new bar onto the sway bar end links. Install the center bushings and brackets. Use a jack if necessary to hold the bar in place while you install and tighten the bolts for the end links and the sway bar bracket.

References

• Rex Net: Front sway bar installation
• RS25: Rear sway bar installation