2016 Subaru Outback Wheel Alignment Specifications

As an ASE-certified alignment technician, I’ve seen my fair share of Subaru Outbacks on the rack. The 2016 Subaru Outback is an incredibly popular crossover known for its symmetrical all-wheel-drive system and rugged dependability. However, to keep that AWD system happy, maximize tire life, and maintain safe handling characteristics, proper wheel alignment is absolutely critical.

Below, you will find the factory wheel alignment specifications for the 2016 Subaru Outback, along with a detailed breakdown of what can and cannot be adjusted straight from the factory, and what to do if your Outback falls out of spec.

Quick reference

Here are the OEM alignment specifications for the 2016 Subaru Outback. Always verify with your alignment machine's software, but these are the standard ranges you should aim for.

Note: SAI (Steering Axis Inclination) and Thrust Angle ranges are diagnostic angles used to determine structural integrity and axle tracking.

Adjustability

When putting a 2016 Subaru Outback on the alignment rack, it is important to know what you can actually adjust using OEM hardware.

Front Axle:

• Toe: Fully adjustable from the factory. Adjustments are made by loosening the jam nuts on the inner tie rods and turning the inner tie rod into or out of the outer tie rod end.
• Camber: Factory adjustable. Subaru utilizes an upper eccentric (cam) bolt where the strut mounts to the steering knuckle. This allows for fine-tuning of the front camber to get it perfectly to 0.00°.
• Caster: Not adjustable from the factory. If caster is out of specification, it usually indicates a bent lower control arm, damaged subframe, or worn control arm bushings.

Rear Axle:

• Toe: Factory adjustable. There is an eccentric bolt located on the inner mounting point of the rear lateral toe link.
• Camber: Not factory adjustable. The rear suspension is a multi-link setup that does not feature factory camber adjustment. If the rear camber is out of spec (often caused by sagging rear springs from carrying heavy loads or worn bushings), aftermarket components are required to fix it.

Recommended adjustment hardware

If your Outback has taken a hard hit to a curb, has been lifted, or suffers from rear-end sag (a common issue on heavily loaded Outbacks), you may need aftermarket hardware to bring the alignment back into the green.

• Rear Camber Arms: To fix non-adjustable rear camber, aftermarket adjustable rear lower control arms (often made by companies like SPC Performance or Whiteline) are highly recommended. These replace the fixed factory arms and provide a threaded center section to dial in rear camber perfectly.
• Front Caster Bushings: If your front caster is slightly out of spec, offset lower control arm bushings can be pressed in to gain or reduce caster, though replacing a bent lower control arm is the more common fix.
• Replacement Cam Bolts: For the front struts, if the factory camber bolts are seized by rust (common in the rust belt), aftermarket replacement 14mm or 16mm cam bolts from SPC or MOOG are standard replacement parts.

Symptoms of bad alignment

Driving a 2016 Subaru Outback with poor alignment will quickly ruin a set of tires and put undue stress on the AWD system. Watch out for these symptoms and tire-wear patterns:

• Feathering or Saw-Tooth Wear: This occurs across the tread blocks and feels smooth in one direction but sharp in the other. It is almost always caused by an incorrect toe setting.
• Inner or Outer Edge Wear: If the inside or outside shoulder of the tire is wearing down much faster than the center, your camber is likely out of spec. Outbacks with sagging rear suspensions often display severe inner edge wear on the rear tires due to excessive negative camber.
• Steering Wheel Off-Center: If you are driving straight down a flat highway but your steering wheel is tilted to the left or right, your toe settings or thrust angle are incorrect.
• Pulling to One Side: If the vehicle drifts aggressively to one side when you let go of the wheel, you likely have a caster imbalance or a severe camber difference from side to side.

When to align

You shouldn't wait until your tires are destroyed to get an alignment. You should have your 2016 Subaru Outback aligned:

• After any suspension or steering work: Replacing struts, tie rods, ball joints, or control arms alters the suspension geometry and requires an immediate alignment.
• When installing new tires: Protect your investment. A bad alignment can ruin a brand new set of tires in just a few thousand miles.
• After hitting a curb or deep pothole: Impacts can easily bend steering components or shift the subframe, throwing angles out of specification.
• Annually or every 15,000 miles: Preventative maintenance is key. Potholes and normal bushing wear will slowly degrade your alignment over time.

Typical alignment cost

For a 2016 Subaru Outback, a standard four-wheel alignment will typically cost between $90 and $130 at most independent shops and dealerships. However, if the shop needs to heat seized tie rods, replace rusted cam bolts, or install aftermarket adjustable rear control arms to correct rear camber, expect the cost to increase for the additional parts and labor.

Don't let a bad alignment wear out your tires and compromise your AWD system. Find a trusted alignment shop on Repairius.