[Rising_Sun]

Hey guys,

I've read many posts that the 2015+ WRX/STI (20mm) sway bar is an upgrade for MOST Subaru models. The Impreza, Outback, Forster, Crosstrek and Legacy guys have successfully installed this sway bar.

Does anyone here know what make our Tribeca different and why we cannot upgrade to this sway bar also?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-2015-2017-Subaru-Rear-Sway-Bar-And-Bushing-Upgrade-WRX-STi-OEM-20451VA000/322547880872?fits=Year%3A2015&epid=1739959046&hash=item4b195a13a8:g:AywAAOSwo4pYki3M

 

[Rising_Sun]

Well I've decided to take the risk and purchased this Sway bar and hopefully it won't be too difficult to install.

 

[FLsubies]

The rear suspension on the Tribeca is different than the other models, but I am curious to see if it does work.

This is the Tribeca sway bar: https://www.ebay.com/i/112314861753?chn=ps

 

[Dodik]

there is one big difference, tribeca has spare tire under, while all others have them inside the trunk, it may be possible with some brackets though

 

[Rising_Sun]

The rear suspension on the Tribeca is different than the other models, but I am curious to see if it does work.

This is the Tribeca sway bar: https://www.ebay.com/i/112314861753?chn=ps

I have had my Tribeca on a lift and the suspension doesn't look that different from other Subaru models. Dodik is correct, I crawled under my car last night with the bar and everything seems to lineup plus the endlinks are in the right place. The issue I see now is that the shields around the spare tire get in the way. I may notch the shields or remove them altogether, but the sway bar will clear the spare tire easily.

 

[FLsubies]

I have had my Tribeca on a lift and the suspension doesn't look that different from other Subaru models. Dodik is correct, I crawled under my car last night with the bar and everything seems to lineup plus the endlinks are in the right place. The issue I see now is that the shields around the spare tire get in the way. I may notch the shields or remove them altogether, but the sway bar will clear the spare tire easily.

They all look the same, all the way back to the 90s, but that doesn't mean the parts and fitment is the same for every generation and model. The tribeca has less suspension travel, unique rear shocks, different hubs...etc etc.

If the sway bar installs correctly that would be awesome since the aftermarket is nonexistent for this vehicle.

 

[Rising_Sun]

They all look the same, all the way back to the 90s, but that doesn't mean the parts and fitment is the same for every generation and model. The tribeca has less suspension travel, unique rear shocks, different hubs...etc etc.

If the sway bar installs correctly that would be awesome since the aftermarket is nonexistent for this vehicle.

I agree that all suspensions LOOK the same. Hence the reason I created this thread. Many have posted that the Tribeca is different but no specifics.

SO far from my measurements the rear sway bar is the right length and much stiffer than our stock bar. There are many aftermarket products that can be utilized on our cars but the average Tribeca owner is not likely to purchase them. So it's not advertised or marketed.

There are plenty of threads that were created on this site questioning the upgrading of the rear sway bar. But no one has actually done the research. Hopefully, this thread will be able to answer some questions and concerns.

 

[FLsubies]

If I remember correctly one member purchased a sway bar, but didn't even try it out before selling it, that has been a long time though. There is also the issue that may have carried over from the Legacy platform with weak sway bar supports breaking under thicker than stock bars.

Here is a pertinent thread:

https://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/broken-sway-bar-mount-194905.html

Please don't take my posts as negative, I am trying to be informative so you can be prepared to counter these issues. I am genuinely interested in these mods, maybe one day I will reclaim our Tribeca and make it into a project.

 

[Rising_Sun]

If I remember correctly one member purchased a sway bar, but didn't even try it out before selling it, that has been a long time though. There is also the issue that may have carried over from the Legacy platform with weak sway bar supports breaking under thicker than stock bars.

Here is a pertinent thread:

https://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/broken-sway-bar-mount-194905.html

Please don't take my posts as negative, I am trying to be informative so you can be prepared to counter these issues. I am genuinely interested in these mods, maybe one day I will reclaim our Tribeca and make it into a project.

No worries, I always appreciate good input. I have reached out to Perscitus on LEGACYGT.com for some advice. Since he lives local to myself, we have gotten together on a number of occasions to compare notes.



Having both our cars up on a lift it was easy to see what mods would also work on the Tribeca. Perscitus' Legacy has the sway bar support barces, but his sway bar is larger(22mm). I was informed that LEGACY guys do not have this issue with the 20mm stock sized sway bar.



The Perrin Steering Dampner was another mod that transferred from the LEGACY to the Tribeca. I would guess that 90% of mods designed for the 3.6R LEGACY would work for the Tribeca as well.

 

[FLsubies]

I would just be concerned with the extra heft of the Tribeca putting more stress on those brackets, Perscitus has a 5th gen though, the Tribeca was based on the 4th gen platform. I am not sure how much different they are besides size and stiffness.

 

[Rising_Sun]

I would just be concerned with the extra heft of the Tribeca putting more stress on those brackets, Perscitus has a 5th gen though, the Tribeca was based on the 4th gen platform. I am not sure how much different they are besides size and stiffness.

No worries, this is one of the issues that will be assessed when we start installing the Sway bar.

 

[Rising_Sun]

Ok gentlemen....


This project was a little more involved than anticipated. But not out of my comfort zone.



After contemplating, I decided to cut the shroud around the Spare tire would be the easiest solution for the sway bar clearance. The STI sway bar is impressively more beefier than the stock bar.

 

[Rising_Sun]

The first issue I ran into was the STI bar has "Stoppers" welded to the ends of the bar to keep it from sliding around. But the TRIBECA mounts are located where the stoppers interfere with the bushings.



I did find that I was able to move the stoppers with a screwdriver and hammer.

 

[Rising_Sun]

The other issue that I ran into was the Sway bar end links are SURPRISING larger for the TRIBECA than the STI. So the pre-drilled holes on the end of the STI sway bar is too small. I needed to use a 9/16th drill bit to accommodate the larger end links.

 

[Rising_Sun]

Finally the sway bar is installed!


Driving impressions:


In regular driving there is no difference, the ride is the same also. But during hard cornering, my car stays very flat! The only issue I have is now there isn't enough bolsters to keep me in my seat.



I will keep this thread updated periodically.

 

[FLsubies]

Were you able to get the spare back under the car?

 

[Rising_Sun]

Yes, the spare tire fits in the same location with plenty of clearance.

 

[ionutz05cti]

Finally the sway bar is installed!


Driving impressions:


In regular driving there is no difference, the ride is the same also. But during hard cornering, my car stays very flat! The only issue I have is now there isn't enough bolsters to keep me in my seat.



I will keep this thread updated periodically.

Thanks for sharing! :tup:

 

[preppy]

Bumping an old thread but I'm itching to do some easy mods to the Tribeca. This looks fairly manageable! Thanks for posting the pictures and details.