STi Lower Arm Bar - Front SG install

Peaty · 02-18-2007, 04:18 PM

This is a very simple install, it takes longer to find the tools you need than it does to do the actual install. This is a brace that ties the front end together, kind of like a strut tower brace but at the bottom on the subframe instead.

Where I got mine, a very good vendor for all your OEM stuff:

Ben Sabelhaus (AKA HondaSlayer)
www.HodgesSubaru.com
Performance@HodgesSubaru
248-547-8800
877-0547-8353

Takes Subaru Bucks call them for details

From what I understand this will only fit the SG foresters (2003 on)

edit: It has been confirmed that on the SF forester (NA motor) the headers get in the way of installing the bar. I'm not sure but this may be the case for the SG NA motors too.

Peaty 2-18-2007

This is what comes in the box:

Peaty · 02-18-2007, 04:19 PM

What you will need:

Ramps / wheels chocks - To get the car in the air safely
Eye Protecton - Keep crap from falling in your eyes
17mm Socket - To remove the two outer subframe bolts
12mm Socket - To remove the two rear jacking plate bolts
Torque wrench - torque the bolts in of course

Torque Specs:

17mm subframe bolts = 41 ft lbs / 55 Nm for the Americans.
12 mm jacking plate bolt = 15 ft. lbs / 20 Nm

Peaty · 02-18-2007, 04:30 PM

The install is for the most part pretty simple. Remove the two 12mm bolts from the back of the jacking plate, then remove the two subframe bolts. Holding up the bar to the jacking plate will make it obvious which subframe bolts to remove. I was expecting the subframe bolts to be super tight so I got my breaker bar. As it turns out they were not all that tight, I think a regular ratchet will do. Next just bolt the bar in place and torque it in. For the subframe bolts you will use the new ones supplied and discard the ones you removed.

Peaty · 02-18-2007, 04:34 PM

Some pics of it installed

Peaty · 02-18-2007, 05:59 PM

Because this bar really is for an Impreza, a bracket supplied will not be a drop on fit. There is a small fastener bracket that can not be put on easily because the bolt threads are too close to the subframe to get the nut on. In all honesty I don't really think these are needed. The bolts there don't already have them and they have never backed out. Unless you can come up with a creative way to secure them I would not loose any sleep over not installing them. I happened to have two of those plastic molly type fasteners. I stuck those in there, because it was such a tight fit (I had to use a hammer to seat them) I don't think they will fall out. Others have tapped threads in the hole and used a different bolt.

Peaty · 02-18-2007, 06:54 PM

This is SuperRU's Creative bracket solution.

Tap bolt hole to 5/16-24.
Grind ½ “ 5/16-24 bolt to 3/8"

Peaty · 02-19-2007, 08:05 PM

OK I went back and got a tap and made some threads in the hole to set the bracket in there properly. I had to drill the hole in the bracket for the bolt just a little bigger and then took a tap and ran it in the hole. I had to shorten the bolts with a hack saw (a dremel will work too). I put a nut on the bolt and then cut, that way I could clean off some of the burrs. Then I bolted it back in there. It didn't take all that long to do while on the car but it would have been a lot easier while the bar was off

If you can't find a tap, you can just put the bolt that was supposed to be in there and tape it in place with some duct or electrical tape. The whole purpose for the bolt is to keep the bracket from rotating on the horizontal. Having a metal bolt in there will prevent that from happening.

Peaty · 02-19-2007, 08:06 PM

One more pic and another scan

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
20mm US STi rear sway bar retrofit	Peaty	Suspension, Brakes & Wheels	27	12-31-2007 09:25 AM
ADDCO/Strano 32mm Front Sway Bar	wagn	Suspension, Brakes & Wheels	2	02-05-2006 06:27 PM
Install of STi Lower Arm Bar	cannibal869	Suspension, Brakes & Wheels	2	10-21-2005 11:59 PM
Need help with Cusco Front Lower Arm Bar (Version II)	prototypeWRX	Q&A Archive	8	05-12-2004 09:14 AM
Strut Bars, Sway Bars and Lower Arm Bar	manman99	Q&A Archive	0	02-16-2004 04:14 AM

Sponsored Links
ScoobyMods Advertisement