Parts for your 2006 Subaru Forester-Sway bars & links

2006 Subaru Forester sway-bars & links — fitted and worth looking after

Based on the Subaru 2006 Forester (SG) Factory Service Manual—Front Suspension: Stabiliser and Rear Suspension: Stabiliser sections—and the Subaru genuine parts catalogues (FAST/EPC) listing front and rear stabiliser bars, D-bushes and end links for 2006 Forester variants, sway-bars and links are standard equipment on this model.

On a 2006 Subaru Forester, the sway-bar (stabiliser bar) and its end links work together to curb body roll and keep the wagon neat and tidy through bends. The bar spans the subframe and twists when one wheel moves more than the other, while the links tie the bar to the strut or control arm. The result is flatter cornering, sharper steering feel, and more predictable behaviour on kiwi backroads and Aussie highways alike.

As these cars rack up the kilometres, rubber bushes harden and the ball-jointed links can loosen off. Typical hints that the Forester’s sway-bars & links want attention include clunks over speed humps, a light knock on rough roads, vague turn-in, or the tail feeling a bit floaty in sweepers. While they don’t usually chew tyres, they can let the body tip more than it should, which isn’t ideal when towing, loaded up for a trip, or threading through the hills.

Servicing is straightforward and pays off. At routine services, a visual check for perished D-bushes, split link boots, or rusty hardware is smart. Grabbing each link by hand with the car safely raised to feel for play helps, and a quick lever test on the bar can expose excessive movement in the bushes. If one link has gone noisy, replacing them in pairs side-to-side keeps the handling balanced. Many owners choose quality OEM-style links and bushes, urethane bushes can sharpen response but may add a touch of noise if not lubricated properly.

When refitting, fasteners should be torqued to the factory specifications with the suspension at normal ride height to avoid preloading the bushes—this detail is called out in the Subaru service manual. A dab of anti-seize on the bar where the D-bush rides (if compatible with the bush material) and fresh self-locking nuts make future work easier. If chasing a firmer, more planted feel, matched front and rear bar upgrades are available, but keeping the set balanced is key so the Forester stays friendly in the wet.

How can someone tell if the sway-bar links on a 2006 Forester are worn?

Common signs are a light clunk over small bumps, especially at lower speeds, and a knock when turning into driveways. A shop can confirm by checking for play in the link ball joints and movement in the D-bushes. Excess body roll compared to how the Forester used to feel can also point to tired bushes.

Is it okay to drive a 2006 Forester with a broken sway-bar link?

It will usually still drive, but stability and emergency handling are compromised, particularly in quick lane changes or uneven corners. For safety and consistency, it’s best to sort a broken or loose link promptly and avoid spirited driving until it’s repaired.

Should both sway-bar links or bushes be replaced at the same time?

Yes, replacing links or D-bushes in pairs (left and right on the same bar) keeps roll stiffness even across the axle. Mixing old and new can create uneven responses in corners and braking.