Parts for your 2017 Subaru Legacy-Sway bars & links

2017 Subaru Legacy sway-bars-&-links: what they do and when to service them

Technical sources confirm the 2017 Subaru Legacy is fitted with both front and rear stabiliser (sway) bars and end links. The Subaru Factory Service Manual (FSM) for the 2017 Legacy/Outback BN/BS platform lists these under Chassis > Front Suspension > Stabiliser and Chassis > Rear Suspension > Stabiliser, and the Subaru genuine parts catalogue for MY2017 shows the bars, D‑bushes, brackets, and links for both axles. So sway-bars-&-links are absolutely relevant on this model.

On the 2017 Subaru Legacy, the stabiliser bars connect the left and right suspension to curb body roll, keeping tyres planted and the car feeling tidy through corners and over undulating roads. The end links join each bar to the control arm or strut, allowing the bar to twist while transmitting load. When everything’s healthy, the Legacy tracks straight, turns in predictably, and feels settled — exactly what drivers expect from a well-sorted Subaru.

There’s no set replacement interval, but these parts live a hard life and deserve routine inspection at each service (or around every 20,000 km), especially if the car sees corrugated roads or heavy rain and grit. Bushes age, link ball joints wear, and hardware can loosen over time.

• Common signs they’re due: clunks or rattles over sharp bumps, excessive body roll, a light knocking at low speed, or a squeak from the bar bushes after rain.
• What to check: torn link boots, free play at the link joints, perished or ovalised D‑bushes, and rust or polish marks where the bar has been moving.

Replacement and maintenance tips for a 2017‑model Legacy:

• Replace links in pairs on the same axle to keep response even left-to-right.
• Use new self-locking nuts and tighten to factory torque with the suspension at ride height to avoid preloading the bushes.
• OEM rubber D‑bushes are run dry, polyurethane upgrades usually need the supplied grease — don’t mix this up.
• Bar or link work typically won’t alter wheel alignment, but if the subframe is loosened or the car already feels darty, a check is cheap insurance.
• If chasing a flatter cornering feel, a genuine or quality aftermarket bar upgrade can help, but match bar rates front-to-rear to preserve balance.

Look after the stabiliser bars and links, and the 2017 Subaru Legacy keeps its composed, confidence-inspiring character on Kiwi backroads and Aussie motorways alike.

Popular questions about 2017-subaru-legacy sway-bars-&-links

How can someone tell if the 2017 Subaru Legacy sway-bars-&-links need replacement?
Typical giveaways are a hollow clunk over potholes, a light rattle at parking speeds, more body roll in roundabouts, or squeaks from the bar bushes. A quick inspection on a hoist often reveals torn link boots, play in the link joints, or D‑bushes that look crushed or cracked. If one side has failed, the opposite link is usually close behind.

Will changing sway bar links affect wheel alignment on a 2017 Legacy?
Normally, no. Links and D‑bushes don’t set alignment angles. However, if the front subframe or control arms are disturbed during related work, it’s smart to book an alignment check. If the car already feels nervous or pulls, an alignment after suspension work is a good shout.

Should the factory sway bar bushes be greased on this model?
Factory rubber D‑bushes on the 2017 Legacy are designed to run dry. Grease can swell rubber and attract grit. If using polyurethane replacement bushes, apply only the specific grease supplied by the manufacturer, and re‑lube as directed during future services.