Sway bar links - bent.

rsilvers · 02-07-2008, 04:14 PM

My wife's 2005 STi just had the sway bar links replaced. Dealer would not do it under warranty -- said that my wife must have hit a pothole or something. Both were bent. They did do a warranty repair today for some engine thing, so the car is under warranty.

I am confused why this is not a warranty issue. Toyota replaced my friend's shocks under warranty on his pickup. For all I know, Subaru forgot to heat treat this part!

Anyone seen them bend like this before?

**WESTI** · 02-07-2008, 05:28 PM

seen them bent worse than that before

***Turbineguy*** · 02-07-2008, 06:04 PM

Stock links suck and Subaru knows it. Did the bar flip and do any damage to the lateral links? Also if they refuse to acknowledge this as an issue especially on a stock STI do a search on here and print up the results for them to see. They may change their tune as well if you bring SOA into the mix. Or not.

**Turninconcepts.com** · 02-07-2008, 07:21 PM

Call Subaru and ask to be reimbursed. This is a known issue.

Blackfang · 02-08-2008, 03:13 AM

We have seen some bend due to failure and also seen a few cars where mods were installed and the owner installed the links incorrectly causing them to bend.

If your car hasn't been touched, then you have a strong case. I would contact SOA and ask for guidance being the dealership denied a warranty claim and you are asking for assistance.

05_GD7 · 02-08-2008, 04:12 AM

do a search on "swaybar flip".

You'll find many, many pictures of endlinks that look exactly like yours.

**boxtwo** · 02-08-2008, 06:14 AM

If they'll fit (07) I still have my stock links. If you want them (just cover shipping) let me know.

rsilvers · 02-08-2008, 09:59 AM

Thanks for the offer. They are already replaced. $160.

I called Subaru and since I am at 36740 miles they are not sure they are going to call the dealer and try to work it out.

Dell gave me a 2 week grace period on my laptop battery and in any case, they were clearly bend for some time. The car is my wife's and 100% stock.

The dealer did fix another problem under warranty on the same day -- so that was nice.

What it comes down to is this -- it seems like they made the links too thin and/or did not use a strong enough type of steel. If that is true, I think they should replace them even though I am 700 miles over (two weeks of driving). If it is not a known problem -- then I should pay which I am happy to do if the part is plenty strong enough for the vehicle.

05_GD7 · 02-08-2008, 02:54 PM

They didn't bend like that because of their strength. Your swaybar flipped and they got wedged against the lateral links.

rsilvers · 02-10-2008, 06:05 AM

Also DOT guidelines encourage car companies odometers to be accurate to within +- 4%. Most companies stay within that. Some do not. 36,000 miles + 4% is 37,440 miles. This is why grace periods are important -- because I might have actually been below 36,000 miles.

rsilvers · 02-10-2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05_GD7

They didn't bend like that because of their strength. Your swaybar flipped and they got wedged against the lateral links.

What caused the bar to flip?

Mi_Black_Pearl · 02-10-2008, 06:21 AM

haha...been down this road before. cause: lowering springs. how it occured: going up a really steep driveway at an angle at too fast of a speed. And yes, there's actually a thread concerning this issue with many many many other owners coming across it. Everything is explained in the beginning and now it's just basically for those to list their experience > its your turn, go and contribute! -

***Szumita*** · 02-10-2008, 06:23 AM

excuse to upgrade! haha

Mi_Black_Pearl · 02-10-2008, 06:30 AM

yup, it really is...it's pretty much a calling for me to go stg 2 suspension upgrade with new sways and links. since i had to get them replaced as soon as i could, subaru was my only option at the time wit their oem links. so now im in the same boat just as before and just trying to be careful (going around potholes, easing in on turns, going uphill, etc) untill im willing to cough up for the whole new upgrade

***Szumita*** · 02-10-2008, 06:34 AM

so many potholes near us john

02-07-2008, 04:14 PM	#1
rsilvers Lurker Car: 2005 STi Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 5 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Sway bar links - bent. My wife's 2005 STi just had the sway bar links replaced. Dealer would not do it under warranty -- said that my wife must have hit a pothole or something. Both were bent. They did do a warranty repair today for some engine thing, so the car is under warranty. I am confused why this is not a warranty issue. Toyota replaced my friend's shocks under warranty on his pickup. For all I know, Subaru forgot to heat treat this part! Anyone seen them bend like this before? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

02-07-2008, 05:28 PM	#2
WESTI Mod Pro Tempore for Premium Members Car: 06 WRB STI Fav Mod: Tial 44mm EWG Location: Irvine, Ca Posts: 5,876 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (9)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. seen them bent worse than that before

02-07-2008, 06:04 PM	#3
*Turbineguy* Non-Reformed Meth Addict Car: '06 WRB Fav Mod: A laptop and tuning software. Location: Swampbilly Central Posts: 2,300 Join Date: Feb 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. Stock links suck and Subaru knows it. Did the bar flip and do any damage to the lateral links? Also if they refuse to acknowledge this as an issue especially on a stock STI do a search on here and print up the results for them to see. They may change their tune as well if you bring SOA into the mix. Or not.

02-07-2008, 07:21 PM	#4
Turninconcepts.com Authorized Vendor Posts: 4,822 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (50)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. Call Subaru and ask to be reimbursed. This is a known issue.

02-08-2008, 03:13 AM	#5
Blackfang Senior STI Driver Car: Silver 07 Legacy Location: Somewhere in the universe Posts: 319 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. We have seen some bend due to failure and also seen a few cars where mods were installed and the owner installed the links incorrectly causing them to bend. If your car hasn't been touched, then you have a strong case. I would contact SOA and ask for guidance being the dealership denied a warranty claim and you are asking for assistance.

02-08-2008, 04:12 AM	#6
05_GD7 Spec C Club Car: 05 STi - Black Fav Mod: No Lien Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,808 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. do a search on "swaybar flip". You'll find many, many pictures of endlinks that look exactly like yours.

02-08-2008, 06:14 AM	#7
boxtwo Gold Member Car: 07 OBP STi Fav Mod: Venison front Bumper mod Location: Pennsyltucky Posts: 1,382 Join Date: Jun 2007 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. If they'll fit (07) I still have my stock links. If you want them (just cover shipping) let me know.

02-08-2008, 09:59 AM	#8
rsilvers Lurker Car: 2005 STi Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 5 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. Thanks for the offer. They are already replaced. $160. I called Subaru and since I am at 36740 miles they are not sure they are going to call the dealer and try to work it out. Dell gave me a 2 week grace period on my laptop battery and in any case, they were clearly bend for some time. The car is my wife's and 100% stock. The dealer did fix another problem under warranty on the same day -- so that was nice. What it comes down to is this -- it seems like they made the links too thin and/or did not use a strong enough type of steel. If that is true, I think they should replace them even though I am 700 miles over (two weeks of driving). If it is not a known problem -- then I should pay which I am happy to do if the part is plenty strong enough for the vehicle.

02-08-2008, 02:54 PM	#9
05_GD7 Spec C Club Car: 05 STi - Black Fav Mod: No Lien Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,808 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. They didn't bend like that because of their strength. Your swaybar flipped and they got wedged against the lateral links.

02-10-2008, 06:05 AM	#10
rsilvers Lurker Car: 2005 STi Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 5 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. Also DOT guidelines encourage car companies odometers to be accurate to within +- 4%. Most companies stay within that. Some do not. 36,000 miles + 4% is 37,440 miles. This is why grace periods are important -- because I might have actually been below 36,000 miles.

02-10-2008, 06:21 AM	#12
Mi_Black_Pearl Spec C Club Car: 07 OBP STI Fav Mod: turbocharger female warning sticker Location: Ocean State Posts: 1,480 Join Date: Aug 2007 Trader Rating: (6)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. haha...been down this road before. cause: lowering springs. how it occured: going up a really steep driveway at an angle at too fast of a speed. And yes, there's actually a thread concerning this issue with many many many other owners coming across it. Everything is explained in the beginning and now it's just basically for those to list their experience > its your turn, go and contribute! -

02-10-2008, 06:23 AM	#13
*Szumita* i eat cones Car: 08.5 GTI MKv Fav Mod: 18x8 Location: ma & ri Posts: 6,553 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (18)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. excuse to upgrade! haha

02-10-2008, 06:30 AM	#14
Mi_Black_Pearl Spec C Club Car: 07 OBP STI Fav Mod: turbocharger female warning sticker Location: Ocean State Posts: 1,480 Join Date: Aug 2007 Trader Rating: (6)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. yup, it really is...it's pretty much a calling for me to go stg 2 suspension upgrade with new sways and links. since i had to get them replaced as soon as i could, subaru was my only option at the time wit their oem links. so now im in the same boat just as before and just trying to be careful (going around potholes, easing in on turns, going uphill, etc) untill im willing to cough up for the whole new upgrade

02-10-2008, 06:34 AM	#15
*Szumita* i eat cones Car: 08.5 GTI MKv Fav Mod: 18x8 Location: ma & ri Posts: 6,553 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (18)	Re: Sway bar links - bent. so many potholes near us john This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.