2017 Subaru Crosstrek Wheel Alignment Specifications & Adjustment Guide

Getting the alignment right on your 2017 Subaru Crosstrek is critical for tire life, handling, and maximizing that legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Whether your Crosstrek is a daily commuter or weekend trail-runner, maintaining the factory wheel alignment specifications ensures the vehicle handles predictably and your tires wear evenly.

Below, you’ll find a comprehensive guide to the OEM alignment specs, adjustability limits, and what to look out for when things go out of whack.

Quick reference

Here are the factory alignment specifications for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. Keep in mind that exact specifications can vary slightly depending on your specific trim and ride height modifications, but these are the standard OEM targets.

Note: SAI (Steering Axis Inclination) and Thrust Angle are generally diagnostic angles. If SAI is out of specification, it typically indicates bent suspension components.

Adjustability

Not all angles on the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek can be adjusted straight from the factory. Here is a breakdown of what an alignment technician can and cannot adjust out of the box:

Front Axle:

• Toe: Fully adjustable via the inner and outer tie rods.
• Camber: Factory adjustable. Subaru uses an eccentric crash bolt (cam bolt) on the upper strut mount clevis for the front struts, allowing for a modest amount of positive and negative camber adjustment.
• Caster: Non-adjustable from the factory. If caster is out of specification, it usually points to a bent lower control arm, a damaged subframe, or a worn lower control arm bushing.

Rear Axle:

• Toe: Factory adjustable via the eccentric bolts on the inner mount of the rear lateral links.
• Camber: Non-adjustable from the factory. The rear suspension is a multi-link setup that does not feature factory eccentric bolts for camber. If rear camber is out of spec, it is often due to sagging coil springs, overloading the rear cargo area, or bent lateral links.

Recommended adjustment hardware

Because the rear camber is not adjustable from the factory, lifted Crosstreks or vehicles with worn rear springs often suffer from excessive negative camber. To correct this, aftermarket hardware is highly recommended:

• Rear Adjustable Lower Control Arms (SPC or Whiteline): Replacing the factory lower control arms with adjustable aftermarket units is the most reliable way to dial in the rear camber on a 2017 Crosstrek. These allow for a wide range of adjustment, saving your rear tires from premature inner edge wear.
• Front Cam Bolts (SPC): While the front already has a factory cam bolt, sometimes lifted vehicles or those with bent knuckles need more adjustment than the OEM bolt allows. Installing an aftermarket 14mm cam bolt in the lower strut hole can provide an additional ±1.5° of camber adjustment.

Symptoms of bad alignment

When your Crosstrek's alignment is out of specification, the tires and steering wheel will be the first to let you know. Watch out for these common tire-wear patterns and drivability issues:

• Inner/Outer Edge Wear (Camber Wear): If the inside edge of your tire is wearing down to the cords while the outside looks new, you have excessive negative camber. This is incredibly common on the rear of the Crosstrek when hauling heavy loads.
• Feathering or Cupping (Toe Wear): Incorrect toe is the number one killer of tires. If the tread blocks feel smooth when you rub your hand across the tire in one direction but catch in the other (like a saw blade), your toe is out of spec.
• Crooked Steering Wheel: If you are driving straight down a flat highway but your steering wheel is turned to the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock position, your front or rear individual toe needs correction.
• Pulling to One Side: While a severe camber imbalance can cause a pull, uneven caster is usually the culprit. The vehicle will naturally pull to the side with the lowest (most negative) caster.

When to align

You shouldn't just wait for your tires to wear unevenly to get an alignment. You should put your 2017 Subaru Crosstrek on the alignment rack:

• After installing new tires: Protect your investment. Even slightly misaligned wheels can ruin a brand-new set of all-terrain or all-season tires in a few thousand miles.
• After suspension or steering repairs: Replacing struts, tie rods, control arms, or ball joints will significantly alter the suspension geometry.
• After a lift kit installation: Lifting a Crosstrek drastically alters camber and toe. An alignment is absolutely mandatory.
• After hitting a pothole or curb: A hard impact can easily bend a tie rod or shift the front subframe, knocking the alignment out of spec.
• Annually or every 12,000 miles: Routine checks keep tire wear in check and ensure the vehicle handles safely.

Typical alignment cost

For a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek, a standard four-wheel alignment will typically cost between $90 and $130 at an independent shop or big-box tire retailer. Dealership prices usually range from $120 to $160.

If your technician discovers that you need aftermarket cam bolts or adjustable rear control arms installed to bring the vehicle into specification, expect to pay for the parts plus 1 to 2 hours of additional labor.

Don't let a bad alignment ruin your drive or your tires. Find a trusted alignment shop on Repairius.