Would a sway bar from an 03 WRX Wagon fit on a 2001 Forester? I peeked under and it looks to be about 12 mm. If I remember correctly the WRX Wagon bar is 17 mm (it's been about 4 years since I removed it).

I found a thread where someone said an 18 mm swar bar fixes a lot of the understeer/body roll so I supposed 17 mm would be decent...all suggestions and comments welcome.

Yep, it'll fit; just make sure you get the bushings from the new bar with it. I've got a 20mm bar from an '02 WRX sedan on my '01 L... fits like a glove. Makes a healthy difference in the twisties, too.

Yep, it'll fit; just make sure you get the bushings from the new bar with it. I've got a 20mm bar from an '02 WRX sedan on my '01 L... fits like a glove. Makes a healthy difference in the twisties, too.

Cool! The bar is off my WRX from 4 years ago. I don't remember if I got new bushings with the bar. If I don't have different bushings, can I order the appropriate wagon ones from SOA?

OEM bushings are still available at the dealerships, and I'm sure you can find them online somewhere. Just make sure you order the '03 WRX wagon ones, not the '01 Forester bushings.

For that matter, the price difference won't be much; you should pick up some aftermarket urethane bushings since you'll already be in there. $30 or less, if memory serves.

To compliment the bigger rear bar you should consider getting a larger front bar too. That way you won't find the tail end coming around on you as much much in low traction conditions like gravel roads or heavy rain. I put a Whiteline 22mm FSB on our 2001 L model and it really helped flatten the cornering a lot over just the 18mm rear sway I had installed right after i bought the car. It's a little harder to install compared to the rear but well worth it I think.

Hmm, just did this with my '02 Forester. Yes, the stock one is a twig, lol. I actually used the stock bushings, slip them around the bigger bar and hook them back up. The larger bar makes getting the screw in a slight challenge, but my little car jack help push it up for easy install. Technically, you could push on it enough to get the screw started, the rubber is pretty squishy, but the jack just made things easy. Otherwise, it bolted up no problem and works great. It certainly got rid of the "tippiness" of the rear end and feels very natural with the rear spring rates, not overly stiff. The car still understeers though, no real worry there. I haven't really pushed my car much to get a well defined understanding of the limits with the new bar. Body roll is much more even front and rear, and the rear end no longer squats down under hard cornering. Another millimeter or two up front would go a long ways too, but I don't think there's be much of a problem with oversteer until the rear springs get stiffened or you up the bar size a good deal more.

Did a little extra driving, some light twisties, gravel. I'm liking the gravel, easier to rotate, more tossable but controlled due to less rear end movement. I'd be curious to see what an 18mm or 19mm may do with it. It's not quite neutral but turn in is only about 45 degrees now as the car drifts, still understeer but a good bit less than stock, very easy to manage. It's a down right nice drive. Too bad the suspensions still way to soft to feel taught with pavement grip levels, still lunges and bounds a little over rough stuff when pushed.:lol:

BTW, you will want the sedan unit, not the wagon swaybar. The wagon one won't work...

just my .02

'98 Forester owner with '03 WRX SEDAN swaybar...

Whiteline Swa bar FTW!!!!! I love mine!

yes Whiteline rsb..and no..17 is NOT enough...I'd say go with 20 or 22mm setting, so get an adjustable one and aftermarket endlinks as well so that you make the effect of the rear bar come on earlier instead of waiting for the stock endlinks to stop flexing first. Our cars have more weight up high and yes I've driven with this setup in the snow and had no problems.
~B