How to Replace a 1996 Cougar Sway Bar Link

The 1996 Mercury Cougar sway bar links hold the sway bar ends to the Cougar's chassis. Consisting of a combination of metal and rubber, the links diminish some of the rigidity in the sway bar-to-chassis union, but also add a bit of shock absorption to the system. The purpose of the sway bar itself is to reduce the occurrence of body roll in the Cougar when turning. Over time, the Cougar's sway bar links will wear out and require replacement. If you have a solid grasp of basic auto-repair you can replace a 1996 Cougar sway bar link in less than 30 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• 2 Wheel chocks
• Floor jack
• 2 Jack stands
• Socket set

Instructions

1. Shift the Cougar into park. Shut the engine off. Set the parking brake.

2. Position the two wheel chocks around the Cougar's left-rear tire so the car cannot roll. Lift the Cougar's front end with a floor jack. Support the Cougar's front end on jack stands, set below the front jack points on the body rail.

3. Climb under the front end with your socket set. Unbolt the Cougar's sway bar link from the sway bar itself using a socket set.

4. Remove the bolt holding the sway bar link to the Cougar's chassis with the socket set. Pull the old sway bar link out of the Cougar's suspension by hand.

5. Bolt the Cougar's new sway bar link to the chassis with the socket set. Bolt the link to the Cougar's sway bar using a socket set.

6. Lower the Cougar's front end off the jack stands using the floor jack. Move the wheel chocks out from under the Cougar's tire before driving.

References

• "Ford Thunderbird & Mercury Cougar 1989 thru 1997: Haynes Manual"; Ken Freund; 1997