Sway Bar Link - Rear

Replace the rear sway bar link (stabilizer link) on a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV to restore proper suspension stabilization and eliminate clunking noises.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear sway bar link × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at designated lift points
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands under rear jacking points
6. Remove rear wheel completely

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect sway bar link condition
   Visually inspect the sway bar link for torn boots, excessive play in ball joints, or physical damage. Grasp the link and attempt to move it by hand to check for wear. Note the orientation of the link for proper installation of the replacement.
2. 2

   Apply penetrating oil
   Spray penetrating oil on both the upper and lower sway bar link nuts. Allow to soak for 5-10 minutes if fasteners show corrosion. This will ease removal and prevent damage to the sway bar or control arm threads.
3. 3

   Remove upper sway bar link nut
   Insert a 6mm Allen key into the top of the sway bar link shaft to hold it stationary. Using an 18mm wrench or socket, remove the upper nut that connects the link to the sway bar. Support the link to prevent it from falling as the nut is removed.
4. 4

   Remove lower sway bar link nut
   Using the same 6mm Allen key to hold the shaft, remove the lower nut that connects the link to the control arm or suspension knuckle. Once the nut is removed, carefully withdraw the sway bar link from both mounting points.
5. 5

   Clean mounting surfaces
   Use a wire brush to clean the threaded areas on both the sway bar and control arm where the link attaches. Remove any dirt, corrosion, or old thread compound. Inspect threads for damage.
6. 6

   Install new sway bar link
   Position the new sway bar link between the sway bar and control arm mounting points. Ensure the link orientation matches the original installation. Apply a light coating of anti-seize to the threads if desired. Start both the upper and lower nuts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement.
7. 7

   Torque sway bar link nuts
   Hold the sway bar link shaft with the 6mm Allen key to prevent rotation. Torque the upper and lower nuts to specification using a calibrated torque wrench. Torque both connections evenly.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Reinstall wheel
   Mount the rear wheel back onto the hub, ensuring the wheel seats properly against the hub face. Thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Snug the lug nuts in a star pattern but do not fully torque yet.
9. 9

   Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts
   Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground. With vehicle weight on the wheels, torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using a torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners are properly torqued and no tools or parts are left in the wheel well
2. If both rear sway bar links were replaced, ensure both sides are torqued identically

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed over bumps and during turns to verify no clunking or rattling noises are present
• Perform a visual inspection under the vehicle to confirm the sway bar link is properly seated and shows no signs of interference
• Check that vehicle handling feels balanced with no unusual body roll during cornering

More procedures for this vehicle