How do I Replace a Broken Sway Bar Rod?
The sway bar is an important component of a vehicle's suspension that reduces body roll during cornering and generally helps the car's control on the road. The sway bar is bolted to either side of the suspension and forces the suspension on the inside of the corner toward the ground when the vehicle is driven around a corner. The sway bar links connect the bar to the vehicle's suspension and are easy to replace if they become broken or damaged.
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Instructions
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Loosen the wheel lugs that fasten the wheels to the vehicle. Lift the vehicle with a floor jack and then lower it onto a jack stand. Lift the corner of the vehicle you will be working on. If you are working on the right rear, lift the right rear and support it. Remove the wheel and set it aside.
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2
Remove the sway bar link (a vertical piece of metal about 5 or 6 inches in length) from where it fastens the suspension by removing the bolt that holds it to the suspension with a socket and a ratchet. The sway bar itself will be the long, cylindrical length of metal that goes from one side of the suspension to the other. You will need to examine the link or consult a manual for your car to determine how to remove the link.
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Remove the link from the sway bar at the other end. If the link has been broken, you will be removing part of it from the suspension and the other side of the from the sway bar itself. How the link is removed will depend in part on the make and model. Some links simply slide onto the sway bar, while others are bolted to it.
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Install the new link onto the sway bar the same manner that the old was one was installed. Install the opposite end of it onto the suspension, ensuring that all of the spacers, bushings, washers, nut and any other hardware are all installed in the proper order. Reinstall the wheel and lower the vehicle to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts.
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