gathermewool
Site Donor 2023
Background (for posterity):
Note: I'm in no hurry to complete this work and know that I can pickup a nut from the local hardware store for cheap; however, they're only a dollar from the dealer, so why not. I don't buy a ton of OE parts, so this thread is more for my own education (and maybe to help others) than anything.
I'm replacing both rear end links on our '14 FXT, since the boots on the old ones will need to be destroyed during removal, since the hex key immediately stripped, and a set of vice grips will be needed to keep the ball joint side of the upper link stationary for nut removal. I need to remove the end links to upgrade the rear sway bar - nothing crazy, just the 20mm bar from the Crosstrek (stock is 16mm)
I purchased part number 20470, the "Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link Kit (Rear)" from an online parts source, which apparently doesn't include the nut for the hex key stud (attached to the link itself) I spoke with the parts guy on the phone and he said that Subaru considers it to be a kit, because it comes with the bushing on the bottom, and that the kit does not, in fact, come with the nut.
The bottom fastener came loose quite easily and smoothly, so I'm going to reuse it.
Question (see parts graphic (exploded diagram) below:
When I asked the same parts guy why there were three part numbers associated with the nut, item 1, he kindly explained that each nut has a range of vehicle build dates associated with it. I asked if the latest part number was the best and superseded the other two and he said no, that I should purchase the one associated with my build date.
Spoke with a dealer local to me (since the nuts are cheap) and what he pulled up for my VIN was the first nut, N370055. Hmmm
Does that sound right to you guys?
Part # (build date range in format YY/MM)
N370055 (XXX - 1311): Suspension Stabilizer Bar Nut
N380016 (1311 - 1608): Suspension Sway Bar Link Nut. Nut Flange M10.
N380019 (1608 - XXX): Flange Nut
Note: I'm in no hurry to complete this work and know that I can pickup a nut from the local hardware store for cheap; however, they're only a dollar from the dealer, so why not. I don't buy a ton of OE parts, so this thread is more for my own education (and maybe to help others) than anything.
I'm replacing both rear end links on our '14 FXT, since the boots on the old ones will need to be destroyed during removal, since the hex key immediately stripped, and a set of vice grips will be needed to keep the ball joint side of the upper link stationary for nut removal. I need to remove the end links to upgrade the rear sway bar - nothing crazy, just the 20mm bar from the Crosstrek (stock is 16mm)
I purchased part number 20470, the "Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link Kit (Rear)" from an online parts source, which apparently doesn't include the nut for the hex key stud (attached to the link itself) I spoke with the parts guy on the phone and he said that Subaru considers it to be a kit, because it comes with the bushing on the bottom, and that the kit does not, in fact, come with the nut.
The bottom fastener came loose quite easily and smoothly, so I'm going to reuse it.
Question (see parts graphic (exploded diagram) below:
When I asked the same parts guy why there were three part numbers associated with the nut, item 1, he kindly explained that each nut has a range of vehicle build dates associated with it. I asked if the latest part number was the best and superseded the other two and he said no, that I should purchase the one associated with my build date.
Spoke with a dealer local to me (since the nuts are cheap) and what he pulled up for my VIN was the first nut, N370055. Hmmm
Does that sound right to you guys?
Part # (build date range in format YY/MM)
N370055 (XXX - 1311): Suspension Stabilizer Bar Nut
N380016 (1311 - 1608): Suspension Sway Bar Link Nut. Nut Flange M10.
N380019 (1608 - XXX): Flange Nut