How to Change a Stabilizer Bar
- 1). Kick a set of wheel chocks under the front of the front wheels if replacing the rear sway bar, or the back of the rear wheels if replacing the front. Slide the floor jack under the central portion of your frame, and raise the car as far as the jack will allow. Ground clearance plays a critical role here---especially if your sway bar isn't mounted under the frame and all suspension components. You'll need some space to twist and bend the sway bar free. Insert two jack stands and remove the jack.
- 2). Identify the sway bar end links where they attach to the steering or axle hubs on either side of the car. Remove nuts that secure the sway bar end links to the sway bar. You may need to use an open-end wrench on the end links or nuts to prevent them from rotating while you remove the end-link nuts.
- 3). Remove the two bolts from each of the D-brackets that secure the sway bar to the frame. Tap the sway bar ends free of the end links with a hammer, and remove the sway bar from the car. The sway bar may simply drop off, but you may need to remove one or more of the exhaust pipes, shift linkage, transmission cooler lines, the steering arms and linkage, the lower control arm, a heat shield or skid plate or anything else hanging in the way. Even after removing said components, you may need to bend and twist the sway bar to snake it clear of the frame.
- 4). Lubricate the inside and outside of your new sway bar bushings before sliding them onto the bar in the proscribed locations.
- 5). Work the new sway bar into place in the manner your chassis requires, and slide the sway bar ends over the end link studs.
- 6). Place the D-clamps over the sway bar bushings, reinstall the D-clamp bolts and end-link nuts finger-tight. Lower the car back onto the ground, and turn your steering wheel all the way to the left. Torque the right end link nut to manufacturer specification. Turn the wheel to the right, and torque the left-hand end link to spec. Crawl under the car and torque the D-clamp bolts to spec. Tightening your fasteners with the car on the ground will eliminate any tension on the sway bar and bushings, ensuring that they remain in a neutral position when not in use. Neglecting this detail may result in poor handling, reduced ride quality and dramatically reduced bushing and end-link longevity.