Sway Bar Link - Front

Replace the front sway bar end links on a 2009 Aston Martin DB9, connecting the front sway bar to the front suspension control arms.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar link × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-approved jacking points
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed under front subframe or designated support points
6. Remove front wheels completely and set aside

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate and inspect sway bar link
   Identify the front sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the control arm/suspension upright. The link is a vertical strut with ball joints at each end, secured by nuts of the manufacturer-specified size (verify against factory documentation). Inspect the link for torn boots, excessive play, or physical damage. Check both upper attachment point (sway bar) and lower attachment point. Inspect the link for torn boots, excessive play, or physical damage. Check both upper and lower attachment points (verify exact mounting locations against factory documentation). Note: Identify the front sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the suspension control arm. The link is a vertical strut with ball joints at each end, secured by nuts (verify nut size against Aston Martin service documentation). Inspect the link for torn boots, excessive play, or physical damage. Check both upper and lower attachment points (verify exact mounting locations against factory documentation). Note: Identify the front sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the suspension upright/strut assembly. The link is a vertical strut with ball joints at each end, secured by nuts (verify fastener size against factory documentation).
2. 2

   Apply penetrating oil (if needed)
   If fasteners show corrosion or if vehicle has been operated in areas with road salt, spray penetrating oil on both the upper and lower link nuts and allow 15-20 minutes to penetrate. Clean threads with wire brush if heavily corroded.
3. 3

   Remove upper sway bar link nut
   Insert an Allen key of the manufacturer-specified size into the top of the link stud shaft to hold it from rotating. Using a socket of the correct size (verify against factory documentation), remove the upper nut that secures the link to the sway bar. The stud will likely want to spin with the nut; maintain firm pressure on the Allen key. Remove the nut completely and note any washers or bushings present. Note: Insert the appropriate hex/Torx key into the top of the link stud shaft to hold it from rotating (verify hex/Torx size against Aston Martin service documentation). Using the correct size socket, remove the upper nut that secures the link to the sway bar. The stud will likely want to spin with the nut; maintain firm pressure on the key. Remove the nut completely and note any washers or bushings present. Note: Insert the appropriate Allen key into the top of the link stud shaft to hold it from rotating (verify hex size against factory documentation). Using the correct socket, remove the upper nut that secures the link to the sway bar.
   ⚠The link may be under slight tension. Control the fastener as you remove the final threads to prevent the link from suddenly dropping.
4. 4

   Remove lower control arm link nut
   Insert the appropriate Allen key into the bottom of the link stud shaft to prevent rotation (verify hex size against factory documentation). Using the correct socket, remove the lower nut that secures the link to its lower mounting point. Again, hold the Allen key firmly to prevent the stud from spinning. Remove the nut completely and note any washers or bushings present. Note: Remove lower sway bar link nut (verify lower attachment point against factory documentation)
5. 5

   Remove old sway bar link
   Pull the sway bar link free from both mounting points. The ball joint studs should slide out of the mounting holes. If the link is seized in place, gently tap the mounting ears with a plastic mallet while pulling on the link. Inspect the mounting holes in both the sway bar and control arm for damage or excessive wear.
6. 6

   Prepare new sway bar link
   Unpack the new sway bar link and verify it matches the old link in length and stud configuration. Check that protective boots on ball joints are intact and properly seated. If the link came with new hardware (nuts, washers), confirm the thread pitch matches the stud threads.
7. 7

   Install new sway bar link
   Insert the upper ball joint stud through the mounting hole in the sway bar, then align the lower ball joint stud with the mounting hole in the lower control arm. You may need to apply slight upward or downward pressure on the control arm to align both studs simultaneously. Ensure the link is oriented correctly with the ball joint boots facing outward.
8. 8

   Install and torque fasteners
   Thread the upper nut onto the sway bar stud by hand, then thread the lower nut onto the control arm stud by hand. Verify both nuts thread smoothly without cross-threading. Using the Allen key of the correct size to hold each stud from rotating, torque both the upper and lower nuts to the Aston Martin-specified value (verify exact value against factory documentation; note this is typically a relatively low torque, so confirm your torque wrench range covers it) using a calibrated torque wrench. Torque the upper nut first, then the lower nut. Note: Using the appropriate hex/Torx key to hold each stud from rotating, torque both the upper and lower nuts to the Aston Martin specified value using a calibrated torque wrench. Note: Using the appropriate Allen key to hold each stud from rotating, torque both the upper and lower nuts to the factory-specified value using a calibrated torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Repeat for opposite side
   Perform steps 1 through 8 on the opposite side front sway bar link. Both links should be replaced as a pair to maintain balanced handling characteristics.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern
2. Lower vehicle from jack stands using floor jack until wheels contact ground
3. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely to ground
4. Torque wheel lug nuts to manufacturer specification in star pattern
5. Remove wheel chocks

Verification

• Start engine and turn steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary to verify no binding or unusual noises from sway bar links
• Test drive vehicle at low speed over smooth surfaces, then over uneven pavement to verify no clunking or rattling from front suspension
• Verify handling feel is balanced with no pulling to either side during cornering
• Re-inspect link nuts after 50-100 miles of driving to confirm torque retention

More procedures for this vehicle