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Gosh darn it. With no floor jack (i.e. weight was on the suspension), I was able to unbolt the sway bar from the end link, rotate both link and bar up into their "more normal" position and rebolt. See attached photo. Took the rig out for a test drive w/no problems. Still will need to have an alignment done. Happy Monday.

Thanks for the response GD. Sway bar is in standard position in the vehicle, it was never removed. Links only go on one way: sway bar end takes a larger bolt, (14mm head), control arm end has a smaller 12mm head bolt. When the front end is lifted off the ground, (no weight on the suspension) end links rotate into a more normal position. Hoping someone else who has lifted a Legacy and encountered this could share what worked for them.

Hello- I've added 2" spacers (with offset) to the stock struts on my 2001 Legacy wagon. The front sway bar end links are now dragging on the rims when making a turn. Below picture is passenger side, driver side is similar. Anyone else had this problem? How did you resolve it? Thanks in advance.

I have a 2" lift spacer that I am trying to install on the front strut of my 2001 Legacy wagon 5-speed to increase ground clearance. The sway bar was disconnected for this procedure. The bottom bolt which connects the strut to the hub will go in, however I am unable to pivot the hub in enough for the upper bolt to line up. The most force I've applied was with a c-clamp when the strut spacer was installed and the lower bolt that connects the strut to the hub was in place. However the upper bolt does not line up. The c-clamp was to squeeze the hub and back of the strut to theoretically squeeze the holes into alignment. The clamp fit nice, but the hole seemed as if it would not align before the strut cylinder bent from the clamp pressure: so I stopped. Note that as the clamp was being tightened, the axle was being pulled (not compressed) by the hub as it pivoted on the lower strut bolt. Has anyone else had this problem? How was it resolved? Thanks in advance.

1.) These are 2" lifts. 2.) I've only tried one side so far (drivers). 3.) Rig is back together w/out strut lifts and I've been driving it w/no funny noises when turning. The most force I've applied was with a c-clamp when the strut spacer was installed and the lower bolt that connects the strut to the hub was in place. Upper bolt was not lining up...the c-clamp was to squeeze the hub and back of the strut and force the holes into alignment. The clamp fit nice, but the hole seemed as if it would not align before the strut cylinder bent from the clamp pressure: so I stopped. This is very curious. I may put a floor jack under the hub and see if I can compress the strut and get the hub to strut bolts to align properly. Question: Have you observed increased wear on the CV joint or boots after a lift such as this? Thanks for sharing your experiences.

This is truly appreciated idosubaru. These are offset for camber. Question: What "OB spacers" are you referring to? I'm aware of the subframe spacers in the back, but not in the front. It does seem that something is missing or wrong here: either a missing part, or an Outback specific component. Thanks.

2001 Legacy GT, 5-speed wagon.

Thanks for the information. I have a 2" lift that I am trying to install on the top of the strut to increase ground clearance. The bottom bolt which connects the strut to the hub will go in, however I am unable to pivot the hub in enough for the upper bolt to line up. The sway bar was disconnected for this procedure.

Is there a difference in front CV axle shaft length between Outbacks and Legacies for the North American 2000-2004 body style? Thanks in advance.