I just finished installing a 20mm sway bar on the rear of my wagon. What more than likely should have been about an hour, took me about 2 1/2. I didn't have any ramps to lift the car up, so I was smashed under there moving around. Once I managed to get the bolts all off, I was left with the dilemma of getting the crooked bar out of there. I finally managed that one, and got the new bar into place. It took a few tries, but I got the clamps holding the washers around the bar into place and secure. The rest was easy. I thought it was rather funny. A great learning experience for the next time, which will be when I install the rear sway bar links. After you see what you attach that nice thick bar to, you will want to get the aftermarket links as well. Next time I will have the ramps.

Chad

It took me 2 1/2 hours to do mine also...no ramps either. Boy that was fun =)

Brian

damn, it only took me 20Min to do my 18mm STI bar. with no lift or jacks.. was fun though!!
Mike

2 hours!?! What took you so long, getting things off or getting things back on? I just ordered the 20mm bar for my wagon and I thought it was an easy quick mod. Actually, it still sounds easy,.. just not as quick so I'd like to know any advice you might have that would speed me along.

BTW: newbie question here,.. what's an anti-life kit and what are it's benefits?

-Gerlando.
http://www.clubSTi.com

Anti-life kit! Haha!

Maybe it's an '02 thing, but it only took me 15 minutes to get mine swapped. :)

Ramps do help a little.

Hrm,.. I told you it was a newbie question! I would suspect the anti-life kit doesn't have too many benefits! How about an anti-lift kit?

-Gerlando.
http://www.clubSTi.com

Does the Anti-life kit come with Firestone Wilderness AT tires? :D

Spike,
How noticable of a difference does it make? Is it an immediate improvement, or can you tell mostly during harder turns?

Chris

It's an immediate improvement. It almost feels like a different car, frankly. It's far more willing to turn in, and you get less body rock when you do. For WRX wagon folks, it's an essential upgrade.

Note, however, that when flinging the car around on the stock suspension, you'll get a bit of tail-happiness. This isn't the case with a nice suspension package because the springs are firmer than stock.

Kevin

I sprayed WD-40 all over the 4 rusty bolts the day before, then attacked the swap in 10 minutes the next day...goodbye 13, hello 18:)

2 hours!?!?:lol:

Ok, I got the hint, and changed my 'anti-life' kit. I was in a hurray to get to work. The reason it took me so long was because I am a newbie, and not just to subarus. I have some mechanical know how from working on tons of bicycles, but cars are a bit different. I am learning as I go along. So, I am actually impressed with the fact that I managed to get it all done. Gives me the bug to do more modifications. Now I am worried the thing is going to break because I did something wrong. You guys are a tough crowd.

To answer the question about the improvement...yes it felt much more solid. I am looking forward to really trying it out on the local twisty roads. As for any tips to help with the swap, just take your time if you are new to this kind of stuff.

Doing the sway bar swap on the WRX is very easy and quick. Perhaps a few tips might help.

You do NOT need to jack up or ramp the car. Though I suppose ramps would make it a little easier if they are handy.

Remove the 2 bolts for the link at the ends and the 2 bolts that hold the sway bar mounts. This should take 5 minutes at most.

REMOVE THE RUBBER BUSHINGS from the bar before you try to wiggle it out! Doing this makes it much easier!!

Likewise when installing the bar, don't put the rubber bushings on until it is in place. The extra 1 inch or so of clearance does make a difference.

And if you have a "C" clamp, it may make compressing the brackets a bit easier if you need to do so to get the bolts to thread up.

Another quick tip: Use the Subaru floor jack to hold the bar up while youre boting everything back on..it makes life a lot easier!

Kevin

Would the RSB be any easier to install if you were to remove the muffler? Is that what is in the way?

Not really. Yes, but no. The sway bar feeds through the hole pretty easy if you've got ramps. It would be more of a pain to unbolt and drop the muffler than it is worth.

Look at:

http://www.mrtrally.com.au/performance/howantilift.htm

and

http://www.whiteline.com.au/articles/AS_319_ab.htm

Whiteline seems to make these kits and have more info about suspension in general on their site.

I found these as I was searching for subaru suspension info.

Tim.

I agree with gtguy, best thing to happen to my wagon. Except maybe losing the stock tires.

What tires have you decided to go with on the Wagons? I'm looking for a high performance tire that will do well in rain, sand, and possibly a bit of snow...I was thinking about the Pirelli
P7000 SUPERSPORT...any opinions?

Chris

seems you are looking for an all season radial then? how about the dunlop sp sport 5000. it is an all season high performance radial with decent snow traction. as for me, i have bridgestone potenza r730's on my wagon. can't wait to try them in the rain, but they work great right now.
chad