Sway Bar Links - Front Pair

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of both front sway bar links on a 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8 engine, restoring proper suspension function and eliminating clunking noises.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar link (left) × 1 — ACDelco 46G0355A or equivalent
• Front sway bar link (right) × 1 — ACDelco 46G0355A or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Spray penetrating oil on both upper and lower sway bar link nuts and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes if corrosion is present
4. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
5. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated front crossmember jacking point
6. Install jack stands under frame rails behind front wheels
7. Lower vehicle weight onto jack stands and verify stability
8. Remove front wheels completely and set aside

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the driver side sway bar link
   Locate the front sway bar link on the driver side. It connects the lower control arm to the sway bar. The link has a ball-stud design with nuts on both upper and lower ends. Inspect the link boots for tears and the studs for excess play to confirm replacement is needed.
2. 2

   Remove driver side lower sway bar link nut
   Insert a 6mm Allen key into the top of the lower ball stud to hold the shaft from spinning. Using an 18mm socket and ratchet, remove the lower nut that connects the link to the lower control arm. If the ball stud spins despite holding the Allen key, apply more downward pressure or use locking pliers on the stud threads above the nut.
3. 3

   Remove driver side upper sway bar link nut
   Using the same technique, insert the 6mm Allen key into the top of the upper ball stud to prevent rotation. Remove the upper 18mm nut that connects the link to the sway bar. The sway bar may shift slightly when released from tension. Remove the old sway bar link from the vehicle.
4. 4

   Clean mounting surfaces and inspect components
   Use a wire brush to clean the sway bar mounting point and control arm mounting point, removing any rust, dirt, or debris. Inspect the sway bar bushing brackets for wear or damage. Check that the threaded holes or studs are not damaged.
5. 5

   Install new driver side sway bar link
   Position the new sway bar link between the control arm and sway bar. Start the lower nut by hand onto the ball stud that connects to the control arm. Then start the upper nut by hand onto the ball stud that connects to the sway bar. Do not fully tighten yet. Ensure the link is properly aligned and both nuts thread on smoothly.
6. 6

   Torque driver side sway bar link nuts
   Hold the ball stud shaft with the 6mm Allen key to prevent rotation. Using a calibrated torque wrench with 18mm socket, torque the lower nut to specification, then torque the upper nut to specification. The link should have minimal free play but the ball joint should still articulate smoothly.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove passenger side sway bar link lower nut
   Move to the passenger side of the vehicle. Insert the 6mm Allen key into the top of the lower ball stud to hold it. Using an 18mm socket and ratchet, remove the lower nut connecting the link to the control arm.
8. 8

   Remove passenger side upper sway bar link nut
   Hold the upper ball stud with the 6mm Allen key and remove the upper 18mm nut connecting the link to the sway bar. Remove the old sway bar link from the vehicle. Clean the mounting points with a wire brush as done on the driver side.
9. 9

   Install new passenger side sway bar link
   Position the new passenger side sway bar link between the control arm and sway bar. Hand-start both the lower nut (control arm connection) and upper nut (sway bar connection). Ensure proper alignment before tightening.
10. 10

    Torque passenger side sway bar link nuts
    Using the 6mm Allen key to hold each ball stud shaft, torque both the lower and upper nuts to specification with a calibrated torque wrench and 18mm socket. Verify the link moves smoothly without binding.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall wheels
    Mount both front wheels back onto the hubs. Hand-thread all lug nuts to ensure proper seating. Snug the lug nuts in a star pattern with a ratchet, but do not torque to final specification yet.
12. 12

    Lower vehicle and perform final torque
    Carefully raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack to unload the jack stands. Remove jack stands and slowly lower the vehicle completely to the ground. Using a calibrated torque wrench, torque all wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern to ensure even seating.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all sway bar link nuts are torqued to specification with the Allen key holding the ball stud
2. Verify wheel lug nuts are properly torqued in a star pattern
3. Double-check that no tools or parts were left in the wheel wells

Verification

• With vehicle on ground, push down firmly on each front corner and release. Listen for any clunking noises that would indicate loose links
• Visually inspect both sway bar links to confirm nuts are tight and links are properly seated
• Take vehicle for a test drive on a bumpy road at low speed and listen for clunking or rattling from the front suspension
• Turn steering wheel full lock in both directions while driving slowly to verify no interference or binding
• Re-check wheel lug nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving

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