How to Change a Sway Bar Link

Last Updated: December 29, 2020 References

This article will explain how to replace a sway bar link - a suspension component in a vehicle that will often make a loud noise when taking a corner and the car is 'swaying' or leaning to the side that has bad bushings on the link.

Note: This information and pictures were performed on a 1996 Nissan Maxima on the drivers side front wheel. Other vehicles may look different or have different requirements, check your service manual.

Steps

1
Loosen the wheel lug nuts. Loosen them slightly, but do not remove.
2
Jack up/lift the car.^{[1]
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Research source} You will need to jack the car by placing the jack under the suspension arm so it compresses the suspension and relieves the tension on the link. (See your manual for proper jacking procedures and safety)
3
Remove the lug nuts and the wheel.
4
Identify the bad link. A bad link:^{[2]
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5
Remove the nut holding the sway bar link to the sway bar. You will have to grip the shaft below the sway bar so it does not turn - for example pair of vice grip locking pliers.The bottom bolt you can use a socket wrench on the nut, and a wrench on the nut on the other side of the mounting point (see picture).^{[3]
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6
Install the new link. Simple insert the lower part first, then the upper. Be sure it is installed the same as the original - the bushings are touching the sway bar - from the top: nut, metal washer, bushing, sway bar, bushing, metal washer. The lower link is simply nut, mounting point, smaller nut. In this picture you see the new link, note the top bushing/washer/nut are not installed yet and it all needs to be tightened.^{[4]
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7
Tighten the nuts. When tightening the nuts, again you will need to use a socket wrench on the bottom on the larger nut, regular wrench on the smaller nut. Be sure to use the correct sizes so they do not strip/become damaged. On the top, a socket wrench and vice grips so the shaft does not spin.^{[5]
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8
Compress the bushings about half. The bottom part should be tightened so the two nuts are against both sides of the mounting point so it has no free-play.^{[6]
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9
Replace the wheel and lug nut. Do this after everything is tightened on the link, make sure you have all your tools.
10
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

Will stronger after market sway bars reduce a car's tendency to roll?

Community Answer

As a general rule, the stiffer the sway bar, the less roll. However, less roll is not always better. Make sure you achieve a good balance between sway bar stiffness and spring stiffness.
Question

Do I need an alignment after new sway bars are installed on a truck?

Community Answer

If its just the sway bars being done and nothing else is changed or damaged, then you shouldn't need to do an alignment.
Question

Do I need new sway bars for both fronts?

Community Answer

Yes, yes you do. It is most important to have new sway bars on both fronts.
Question

Could hitting a pothole make my car's back tires tilt inward? Could it put a slight twist on the sway bars?

Community Answer

That can destroy your sway bar, yes. But tires pointing inward is a bad control arm bushing. Jack the car up and shake the tire top and bottom back and forth! There should be no play. If the tire moves in and out, then you have a bad control arm bushing or even worse, a bad wheel barring. Both should be fixed asap as these are very dangerous.
Question

How do I take off sway bar front bushings?

Community Answer

Remove the sway bar nut holding the sway bar to stabilize.
Question

Is there a special suspension component that should be replaced with the sway bar bushings?

Community Answer

It's a good idea to replace sway/stabilizer bar bushings when you change the sway bar links/bushings (or vice versa, this will renew the entire sway bar assembly. This is also a good time to check for play or wear in your other front-end components such as ball joints, control arm bushings, tie rods, and struts. Just get in there and start trying to wiggle parts with your hands, this is best done if the car is jacked up. If your front end is really sloppy, then a front-end rebuild is recommended.
Question

Does the likelihood of an accident increase if the sway bar needs changing?

Community Answer

Yes, especially as speed increases. Consider a passenger van traveling at 60 mph with a damaged or worn out rear sway bar: if an abrupt lane change to the driver's side is made, the rear passenger tire and suspension compresses, rolling the top of the van to the outside of the turn. Without a functioning sway bar, the rear driver's tire and suspension tend to lift, allowing further roll of the top of the van to the outside of the turn. In extreme cases, the vehicle can skid out of control or continue to roll until there is no tire contact with the road service.
Question

Can I still drive my car when I need new sway bar links?

Community Answer

Yes, just get it fixed in a timely manner. That’s with anything: the longer you wait, the more problems you'll have.

Warnings

Keep children away while the car is jacked/lifted!

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Be very careful when working in this area - you must be careful not to damage any brake components such as brake lines, and do not get any lubricants (penetrating oil) on the brake components/lines/rotor/pads, etc.

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This information and pictures were performed on a 1996 Nissan Maxima. Other vehicles may look different or have different requirements, check your service manual.

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Wear proper protection - eye protection especially when using cutting or grinding tools. Hand protection in case your hands slip.

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SAFETY FIRST!!! These steps require you to jack your car up off the ground. You MUST follow proper safety requirements for working on a vehicle and jacking/lifting your car (for example, jack stands, etc.) If you are not sure, please bring your car to a professional.

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