Parts for your 2014 Subaru Legacy-Sway bars & links

2014 Subaru Legacy sway-bars-&-links: what they do and when to service them

Yes — the 2014 Subaru Legacy is fitted with sway-bars-&-links front and rear. Technical sources confirm this: the Subaru Service Manual (STIS) for the 2010–2014 Legacy/Outback covers “Front Suspension > Stabiliser System” and “Rear Suspension > Stabiliser System”, and the Subaru genuine parts catalogue lists front and rear stabiliser bars with separate D-bushes and link assemblies (e.g., front stabiliser bar group 20400 and stabiliser link group 20470 for BM/BR chassis). These references make it clear the car uses stabiliser (sway) bars and end links as standard equipment.

On the 2014 Legacy’s MacPherson-strut front and multi-link rear suspension, the sway-bars-&-links team up to control body roll. The bar ties the left and right suspension together, and the end links connect the bar to the control arm or strut. During cornering, the bar twists to keep the body flatter, improving steering response and keeping the tyres in better contact with the road. That’s especially handy on New Zealand’s and Australia’s undulating backroads and in wet conditions where Subaru’s AWD shines.

Maintenance is straightforward: the bars themselves rarely fail, but the rubber D-bushes that clamp the bar to the subframe and the ball-jointed end links are wear items. Bushes harden or crack with age, and links can develop play, leading to clunks over bumps or a loose, rattly feel from the corners.

• Inspection timing: check sway-bars-&-links at each service or every 20,000–30,000 km, and after any curb strike or big pothole hit.
• What to look for: split or perished D-bushes, shiny “polished” bar sections where the bush has been moving, torn link boots, and any free play when prying the link ball joints.
• Replacement tips: renew bushes in axle pairs, if a link is worn on one side, plan to do both sides for even handling. Use new self-locking nuts and torque to the Subaru spec from the service manual.

Owners chasing a tighter feel can choose quality OEM-equivalent bushes and links, or consider upgraded polyurethane bushes (noting they may add a bit of NVH). After any suspension work, a wheel alignment check is good practice to keep tyre wear even and steering true.

Technical references: Subaru Service Manual (STIS) 2010–2014 Legacy/Outback, Front and Rear Suspension Stabiliser sections, Subaru Genuine Parts Catalogue for 2014 Legacy BM/BR, stabiliser bar and link assemblies.

Popular questions

Does the 2014 Subaru Legacy have front and rear sway-bars-&-links?
Yes. Both axles use stabiliser (sway) bars with separate D-bushes and end links. This setup is documented in Subaru’s service manual and parts catalogue for the BM/BR Legacy.

What are common signs the sway-bar links or bushes need replacing?
Clunks over small bumps, a hollow knock from one corner, or a slightly loose, unsettled feel in quick direction changes. Visual checks may show split bushes, torn link boots, or play in the link ball joints.

How often should sway-bar bushes and links be serviced?
They’re condition-based items. Inspect at each service or every 20,000–30,000 km. Replace when there’s play, noise, or visible deterioration. Always torque fasteners to Subaru specifications.