Hey Subie people, check this out!

[pquirk]

Car went clunk over a bump the other day and look what I found:


http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/s_T-day_program_011_Small_.jpg

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/s_T-day_program_003_Small_.jpg

This is the stabilizer bar on a 2000 Outback with only ~70k on the dial. I was none too pleased to see this. The Dealer wanted $158 for a new one and told me it'd take a week and a half to get it:doh . Online I could order one for $97+S&H :rolleyes: and wait. The solution was to take the broken parts down the road to Bruce the welder who welded it together for $15 (plus a $5 tip). It was a cheap fix, but kind of a PITA to do 'cause I had to drop the exhast to get enough wiggle room to do the job and take the afternoon off work to do it. Bottom line is this is BS. 70K? I've had many cars with 150k+ and have never had a broken sway bar from normal driving. Cheap imported steel probably. Anyone else ever seen this?

[TiBaal89]

A 2000 Subaru - wow. I thought subaru was pretty reputable for toughness.

I'd say thats pretty incredible. I've got a '99 S-10 thats seen stunt driving, rally, autocross, and jumping off ramps... never seen any damage like that!

Hopefully the welding didn't alter the mechanical properties enough that it'll break again in a different spot or something - but for the money you saved, good call.

BS to the extreme!

[Big D]

Pquirk, that blows! :censor

I think the very nature of the bar itself is a torsion bar, so I'd keep an eye on it. Also, although it's out of warranty, might check with Subaru for service bulletins, whatnot, ar do some searchin' on the 'net. Maybe with some hellraisin' you could wangle a new one.

[Roadster_Rider]

I dont really know much about subarus, but it happens, when stuff is mass produced there's bound to be a defect here and there, hope that weld holds.

[hybriDatsun350]

We can hope that weld will hold, but there is a pretty good chance that it is going to snap again pretty soon. Do you know what he used to weld it up? It most likely wont have the properties that it used to and its not going to want to flex. That's really to bad though. :dunno

[lagerdrinker]

yeah, they break and not just on subs. coil springs also.
me personally i would have bought an aftermarket one to replace it with.

[pquirk]

Yeah, first thing I did was check for survivce bulletins and recalls, no luck. I'm not too worried about the weld, that'll hold but the bar sure could break again somewhere else and that wouldn't be a surprise. It's not much of a safety issue, not an integral component, so if it goes again I'll just replace it with a new one. I've never had one break before from regular driving though, I just thought it was weird. :)

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

yeah, they break and not just on subs. coil springs also.
me personally i would have bought an aftermarket one to replace it with.


DITTO :clap