How to Install a Front Sway Bar
Most every passenger vehicle on the roads these days have a front sway bar. A sway bar is also referred to as a stabilizer bar, an anti-sway bar and an anti-roll bar. The bar connects the left front suspension to the right front suspension applying torsion. When a vehicle makes a sharp turn, the centrifugal force pulls the contents (occupants) of the vehicle away from the turn. The same principle applies to the wheels of the vehicle. By connecting the front suspension together, the sway bar prevents the wheel on the outside of the turn from lifting off the ground and thus prevents the vehicle from rolling over.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Car lift
- 3/8-inch-drive air ratchet
- 3/8-inch-drive impact socket set
- 3/8-inch-drive universal impact swivel
- Hand wrench set
- Sway bar replacement
- Replacement sway bar bushings (2)
Instructions
-
-
1
Place the vehicle on a lift and bring the lift all the way up to determine how the front sway bar is connected to the vehicle. Most sway bars are connected to the body of the vehicle by two brackets mounted near the low end of the firewall and then to a sway bar end link near each front wheel. The sway bar end links on cars are usually attached to the strut at the top of the link and to the sway bar at the bottom of the link. The sway bar end links on most trucks are attached the the sway bar from the top of the link and the bottom of the link is affixed to the lower control arm.
-
2
Remove the sway bar link to the sway bar connection on each side, using the air ratchet, socket and a hand wrench to hold the connection of the sway bar link stable. Some models may require different tools to accomplish this task, like hex-head Allen wrenches to stabilize the link while the retaining nut is being removed. You'll have to determine how the link is connected to the sway bar to successfully disassemble it.
-
-
3
Locate the sway bar brackets mounted to the firewall. You can follow the length of the sway bar from the sway bar end links until you find the brackets. On some models, removing splash shields or other undercarriage components to access the brackets may be required.
-
4
Remove the retaining bolts to the brackets. Some brackets may have two bolts and others may only have one with a swinging hinge connection on the other end. Use the air ratchet swivel, and a socket to remove the bolts. In some vehicles, you may have to use a hand wrench if room is limited.
-
5
Remove the sway bar.
-
6
Install the new sway bar bushings to the new sway bar and then set it in place. Replace the brackets and thread the retaining bolts and nuts on enough to hold the sway bar by the brackets. Do not tighten the bolts and or nuts yet.
-
7
Reattach each end of the sway bar to the sway bar end links and tighten the retaining nuts of the links.
-
8
Tighten the retaining bolts and or nuts of the sway bar brackets.
-
1
