Sway Bar - Front

Remove and replace the front sway bar (stabilizer bar) assembly to restore proper handling and reduce body roll on the 1970 AMC Rebel Machine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar bushings × 2 — Use OEM specification or polyurethane upgrade
• Sway bar end link bushings × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar mounting bracket bolts × 4 — Grade 5 or better if replacements needed
• Sway bar end link hardware kit × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and set parking brake firmly.
2. Chock rear wheels securely on both sides.
3. Apply penetrating oil to all sway bar mounting hardware and allow to soak for at least 30 minutes before starting work.
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at the front crossmember or designated jacking point.
5. Install jack stands under the frame rails behind the front suspension, ensuring vehicle is stable and level.
6. Lower vehicle weight onto jack stands and verify stability before working underneath.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access front suspension area
   Ensure adequate working clearance under the front of the vehicle. The sway bar runs laterally across the front suspension, mounted to the frame rails with two brackets and connected to the lower control arms via end links. Inspect the entire assembly for damage or excessive wear before proceeding.
2. 2

   Remove driver side sway bar end link
   Locate the end link connecting the sway bar to the driver side lower control arm. The end link typically consists of a bolt with bushings and washers on both ends. Hold the upper nut with a box-end wrench while loosening the lower bolt with a socket. Remove the bolt, washers, and bushings, noting their orientation for reassembly. If the bolt spins freely, grip the stud with locking pliers while turning the nut.
3. 3

   Remove passenger side sway bar end link
   Repeat the same procedure on the passenger side end link. Hold the upper nut while removing the lower bolt. Remove all hardware and bushings, keeping driver and passenger side components separate if reusing any parts. The sway bar is now disconnected from both lower control arms.
4. 4

   Remove driver side frame mounting bracket
   Locate the sway bar mounting bracket bolted to the driver side frame rail. This U-shaped bracket holds the sway bar bushing in place. Remove the two bolts securing the bracket to the frame using an appropriate socket and ratchet. The bracket may be stuck due to corrosion; tap gently with a hammer if necessary. Remove the bracket and inspect the rubber bushing inside.
5. 5

   Remove passenger side frame mounting bracket
   Remove the passenger side mounting bracket using the same method. Remove both bolts and carefully extract the bracket. Once both frame brackets are removed, the sway bar can be lowered and manipulated for removal.
6. 6

   Remove front sway bar from vehicle
   With both end links and frame brackets disconnected, carefully maneuver the sway bar out from under the vehicle. The bar may need to be rotated or angled to clear the suspension components, steering linkage, and exhaust. Work slowly to avoid damaging brake lines or other components. Once clear, remove the old bushings from the bar by sliding them off.
7. 7

   Clean mounting surfaces and inspect components
   Use a wire brush to clean the frame rail mounting surfaces where the brackets attach. Remove all rust, dirt, and old bushing material. Inspect the sway bar for cracks, bends, or damage. Check frame mounting points for damage or excessive rust that could compromise mounting integrity. Inspect all mounting bolts and replace any that show thread damage or excessive corrosion.
8. 8

   Install new bushings on sway bar
   Slide new sway bar bushings onto the bar at the locations where the frame brackets will mount. The bushings should be positioned symmetrically on either side of center. If using rubber bushings, apply a light coat of silicone lubricant to ease installation. Polyurethane bushings typically include specific grease that must be used. Ensure the split in each bushing faces toward the rear or as specified by the bushing manufacturer.
9. 9

   Position sway bar under vehicle
   Carefully maneuver the sway bar back into position under the vehicle, routing it in front of or behind suspension and steering components as original. The ends should be positioned to align with the lower control arm end link mounting points. Center the bar so bushings align with frame rail bracket mounting locations on both sides.
10. 10

    Install frame mounting brackets
    Place each mounting bracket over its respective bushing and align the bracket bolt holes with the frame rail. Start all four bolts (two per side) by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Tighten the mounting bracket bolts in a crisscross pattern to ensure even compression of the bushings. Tighten securely but avoid overtightening, which can compress rubber bushings excessively and cause premature failure. Typical torque is 25-35 ft-lbs, though verify with factory specifications if available.
11. 11

    Install new end link hardware on driver side
    Assemble the end link components in the correct order: typically bolt head, washer, lower bushing, through the sway bar end, upper bushing, washer, through the lower control arm bracket, bushing, washer, and nut. The bushings should compress slightly but not flatten completely. Hold the nut with a wrench and tighten the bolt. Typical torque is 15-25 ft-lbs. The bushings should be snug but not crushed.
12. 12

    Install new end link hardware on passenger side
    Repeat the end link installation on the passenger side using the same sequence and technique. Ensure bushings are properly oriented and hardware is tightened evenly on both sides. The sway bar should now be fully connected to both frame mounting points and both lower control arms.
13. 13

    Verify installation and clearances
    Inspect the entire installation to ensure all fasteners are tight and properly torqued. Verify the sway bar has adequate clearance from the frame, exhaust, steering components, and brake lines throughout its full range of motion. Manually compress and extend the suspension slightly (if possible with vehicle on stands) to check for interference. Confirm end links are not binding and move freely.

Reassembly

1. Carefully raise vehicle off jack stands using floor jack.
2. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely to the ground.
3. With vehicle at normal ride height, re-check all sway bar mounting hardware for proper tightness.
4. Some technicians prefer to do final torquing of sway bar bushings and end links with vehicle at ride height to prevent bushing bind, though this is not always necessary with the AMC front suspension design.

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and perform gentle cornering maneuvers to verify the sway bar is functioning properly.
• Listen for any clunking, rattling, or knocking noises from the front suspension that would indicate loose hardware or improper installation.
• After initial test drive (approximately 25-50 miles), re-inspect all mounting hardware and re-torque if necessary.
• Verify improved handling stability and reduced body roll during cornering compared to pre-repair condition.
• Perform visual inspection under vehicle to confirm no interference between sway bar and other components during suspension travel.

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