Below is a video on how to replace the rear sway bar links on a 2005-2009 Subaru Outback
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Today we are going to be showing you how to replace the rear sway bar links on a 2005-2009 Subaru Outback. We are going to be showing you on this 2007 Subaru Outback. This will be similar to other years and model Subaru’s.
This is a simple repair that you can do within your driveway. You will want to park the car on a level surface. Grab a 19mm socket and a breaker bar to loosen the rear wheels lug nuts.
Once you have loosen the lug nuts we can jack the rear of the car up and place jack stands underneath to support the car.
For us we are going to use a lift since we have access to it today. So well get the lift arms placed under the vehicle and raise it into the air. With the vehicle lifted into the air we can grab our impact gun and 19mm socket and loosen the lug nuts.
With the lug nuts removed we can remove the wheel and tires from the drivers and passenger side. Once we have the wheels removed we can locate the rear sway bar links. They will be under the rear axle and attached to the lower part of the hub.
Next we can grab a can of sea foam deep creep penetrating oil and spray the nuts on both the drivers and passenger side sway bar links. Well let that soak in for a few minutes.
Now we can grab a 14mm swivel socket and ratchet or impact and well remove the lower nut from the passenger side sway bar link. As you are loosing the nuts the stud may turn within the ball and socket part of the link.
Some have a spot for a wrench, allen key or you can use a set of adjustable pliers and hold the shoulder to keep it from spinning. They do make specialty wrenches that are thinner than your typical wrench to make removing sway bar links easier.
With the lower nut removed we can wiggle the lower part of the link out of the bottom part of the hub. Once we have the lower part of the link removed we can grab a 14mm ratcheting wrench and remove the top nut. Well use the open end to break the nut free and then use the ratcheting part to fully remove the nut. You may have to use the pliers to keep it from spinning.
Now with the top nut removed we wiggle the sway bar link out of the sway bar itself and remove the old link completely.
Next you will want to unpackage your new sway bar link and match it up to the old one to ensure you have the correct part. Ours are the exact same so we are ready to install it.
Well start by removing the new nylon locking nut and sliding it into the sway bar. With the nut started we can now grab a 17mm wrench as these are an aftermarket brand link and have a different size nut on them.
Once we have the top nut tightened down we can now move onto the drivers side link. With this one you will see the top part of the link has failed and pulled out the stud from the ball and socket.
Well start by removing the lower 14mm nut with our impact and 14mm swivel socket. With the lower part of the sway bar link removed from the hub. We can grab a 14mm wrench and pliers and remove the top part of the sway bar link from the sway bar.
With the old drivers side link removed we can grab the new link and install it into the sway bar and start the nut by hand. With the nut started we can grab a 17mm wrench and pliers and tighten the nut down.
Once we have the top nut tightened down we can install the lower link into the hub and start the nut by hand. With the drivers side installed into the hub and the nut started we can go back to the passenger side and do the same thing.
Install the sway bar link into the lower part of the hub and start the nut by hand. Well then grab a wrench and the pliers and snug the nuts down on both the passenger and drivers side.
With the nuts snugged down we can grab a torque wrench and set it to 34 lbs and final tighten/ torque all four nuts top and bottom on the passenger and drivers side.
Now that we have them all torqued down we can reinstall the wheels and start the lug nuts by hand. Next we can grab an impact and snug the lug nuts up. Once we have the lug nuts snugged down we can lower the car down to the ground.
With the car back on the ground we grab a torque wrench and set it to 90lbs and torque all the lug nuts in a star pattern. It is a good idea to check the front sway bar links and see if they need replacing as well. If so we have a video on replacing them. Click Here. Its also a good idea to check the rubber isolator bushings for the front and rear for the sway bars to ensure they are in good shape as well.
With all the lug nuts torqued down that’s it we have just shown you how to replace the rear sway bar links on a 2005-2009 Subaru Outback.
