How to Replace a Stabilizer Link in a Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra was designed to compete with the full-size pickups offered by the Big Three American automakers. Instead, Tundra found its audience in the recreational segment who wanted a vehicle that could provide a user-friendly ride to the office and then be useful for weekend trips to the home improvement store. Changes were made in later generations of the Tundra with the hopes of drawing in the more serious pickup buyer. The following details the replacement of a stabilizer link.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mechanic's toolset, including a full socket set, wrenches and screwdrivers
• Torque wrench
• Ball joint separator
• Replacement parts

1. Raise the vehicle on a rack or on secure supports. Remove the front wheels and tires. Loosen the nuts that connect the stabilizer bar links to the lower control arm. Remove the nuts and disconnect the links from the lower control arm.

2. Stabilize the link with a wrench. Take off the nut and remove the retainers, cushions and link. Pull the bolts then remove the stabilizer bar along with the brackets and cushions.

3. Put the new stabilizer in position. Install the two cushions and the two brackets. Tighten the bolts to 19 to 22 foot pounds.

4. Steady the stabilizer bar link with a wrench. Put the link on the lower control arm. Install a new nut. Torque the nut to 10 to 14 foot pounds.

5. Put the front wheels and tires back on the vehicle. Lower the vehicle. Road test the vehicle to assure proper handling. Have the alignment checked by a professional.

Tips & Warnings

• On models with links that require a hexagon wrench. use new nuts to connect both sides of the stabilizer bar. Torque to 55 to 70 foot pounds.

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[iamageniuster]

on 11/11/2008 Very neat article. Thanks for sharing with us.