Sway Bar Links - Front Pair

Replace both front sway bar links on a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV to restore proper suspension function and eliminate clunking noises during turns or over bumps.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar link (driver side) × 1 — ACDelco or OEM equivalent
• Front sway bar link (passenger side) × 1 — ACDelco or OEM equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Turn vehicle off and remove key fob from vehicle
4. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
5. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated lift points
6. Support vehicle securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified points
7. Remove both front wheels completely

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect existing sway bar links
   Visually inspect both sway bar links for worn ball joints, torn boots, or excessive play. Check the sway bar link connection points at the strut and sway bar. Note the orientation of the links for proper installation of new parts.
2. 2

   Apply penetrating oil
   Spray penetrating oil on the upper and lower sway bar link nuts on both sides. Allow 5-10 minutes for penetration. This will ease removal, especially if the vehicle has been exposed to road salt.
3. 3

   Remove driver side upper link nut
   Locate the upper sway bar link connection at the strut. Insert a 6mm Allen key into the top of the link shaft to hold it stationary. Using a 15mm wrench, remove the upper nut. If the stud spins, hold it firmly with the Allen key while turning the nut.
4. 4

   Remove driver side lower link nut
   Locate the lower sway bar link connection at the sway bar itself. Insert the 6mm Allen key into the bottom of the link shaft. Using a 15mm wrench, remove the lower nut while holding the shaft with the Allen key. Remove the driver side sway bar link from the vehicle.
5. 5

   Remove passenger side sway bar link
   Repeat the removal process for the passenger side. Remove the upper nut at the strut connection using the Allen key and wrench, then remove the lower nut at the sway bar connection. Remove the passenger side sway bar link from the vehicle.
6. 6

   Clean mounting surfaces
   Use a wire brush to clean the strut and sway bar mounting points where the links attach. Remove any rust, corrosion, or debris to ensure proper seating of the new links and accurate torque readings.
7. 7

   Install driver side new link
   Position the new driver side sway bar link with the lower end at the sway bar and upper end at the strut. Ensure the link is oriented correctly with ball joint boots facing the proper direction. Thread on both nuts hand-tight. The link should move freely on its ball joints.
8. 8

   Torque driver side link nuts
   Hold the link shaft with the 6mm Allen key at each end. Torque the upper nut (at strut) to specification, then torque the lower nut (at sway bar) to specification. Ensure the shaft does not spin during torquing.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Install passenger side new link
   Position the new passenger side sway bar link with the lower end at the sway bar and upper end at the strut. Ensure proper orientation matching the driver side. Thread on both nuts hand-tight.
10. 10

    Torque passenger side link nuts
    Hold the link shaft with the 6mm Allen key at each end. Torque the upper nut (at strut) to specification, then torque the lower nut (at sway bar) to specification. Verify both links move freely without binding.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall wheels
    Reinstall both front wheels. Thread lug nuts on by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a hand wrench but do not fully torque yet.
12. 12

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Carefully lower the vehicle from jack stands until the wheels just touch the ground but most weight is still on the stands. Torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove the jack. Re-torque lug nuts in star pattern to verify.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners are torqued to specification
2. Ensure no tools or parts are left in wheel wells
3. Double-check that wheel lug nuts are properly torqued in star pattern

Verification

• Start the vehicle and turn the steering wheel full left and right while stationary to verify no interference or binding
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed over bumps and during turns to confirm no clunking noises
• Verify proper handling and that the vehicle tracks straight without pulling
• Perform a visual inspection after the test drive to ensure all nuts remain tight and no new leaks are present

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