Sway Bar Bushing - Front

Replace the front sway bar bushings on a 1992 Dodge Viper by removing the sway bar bracket bolts, extracting the old bushings, and installing new bushings with proper lubrication and torque.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar bushing set (2 bushings) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent
• Polyurethane bushing grease (if using polyurethane bushings) × 1 — Silicone-based grease

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at the front crossmember or designated lift points
4. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at manufacturer-specified jacking points
5. Lower jack slightly to confirm weight is on stands, but keep jack in position as backup support

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the sway bar mounting area
   From under the vehicle, locate the front sway bar running transversely across the front suspension. Identify the sway bar mounting brackets on each side where they attach to the frame or crossmember. The bushings are split rubber or polyurethane pieces that cradle the bar within these brackets.
2. 2

   Remove the driver side sway bar bracket bolts
   Using the appropriate socket and ratchet, remove the bolts securing the driver side sway bar bracket to the frame (verify bolt size and count against the factory service manual). Support the bracket with one hand as you remove the second bolt to prevent it from dropping. Remove the bracket from the sway bar.
3. 3

   Extract the driver side bushing
   Remove the old bushing from the sway bar. The bushing is split and should pull away from the bar. If the bushing is stuck, use a flat pry bar or screwdriver to carefully separate the split and work it off the bar. Inspect the sway bar surface for wear, scoring, or corrosion where the bushing sits.
4. 4

   Clean the driver side mounting area
   Use a wire brush to clean the sway bar surface where the bushing mounts, removing any rust, old rubber debris, or corrosion. Wipe clean with a shop towel. Inspect the bracket for cracks or damage and clean the bracket mounting surface as well.
5. 5

   Install the driver side new bushing
   If installing rubber bushings, apply a light coat of silicone spray or soapy water to the inside of the bushing and the sway bar surface to ease installation. If installing polyurethane bushings, apply polyurethane-compatible grease to the bushing inner surface and sway bar. Position the new bushing around the sway bar with the split facing toward the rear of the vehicle or as indicated by the bushing manufacturer. Ensure the bushing is centered in the location where the bracket will mount.
6. 6

   Reinstall the driver side bracket and torque
   Position the sway bar bracket over the bushing, aligning the bracket with the frame mounting holes. Install the 2 bracket bolts by hand, ensuring proper thread engagement. Using a torque wrench, torque the bracket bolts evenly to the factory-specified value (verify torque spec in the factory service manual).
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove the passenger side sway bar bracket bolts
   Using the appropriate socket and ratchet, remove the bolts securing the passenger side sway bar bracket to the frame (verify bolt size and count against the factory service manual). Support the bracket with one hand as you remove the second bolt to prevent it from dropping. Remove the bracket from the sway bar.
8. 8

   Extract the passenger side bushing
   Remove the old bushing from the sway bar using the same technique as the driver side. If the bushing is stuck, use a flat pry bar or screwdriver to carefully separate the split and work it off the bar. Inspect the sway bar surface for wear, scoring, or corrosion.
9. 9

   Clean the passenger side mounting area
   Use a wire brush to clean the sway bar surface where the bushing mounts, removing any rust, old rubber debris, or corrosion. Wipe clean with a shop towel. Inspect the bracket for cracks or damage and clean the bracket mounting surface.
10. 10

    Install the passenger side new bushing
    Apply appropriate lubricant as described in Step 5 (silicone spray or soapy water for rubber, polyurethane-compatible grease for polyurethane). Position the new bushing around the sway bar with the split facing toward the rear of the vehicle or as indicated by the bushing manufacturer. Ensure the bushing is centered in the location where the bracket will mount.
11. 11

    Reinstall the passenger side bracket and torque
    Position the sway bar bracket over the bushing, aligning the bracket with the frame mounting holes. Install the 2 bracket bolts by hand, ensuring proper thread engagement. Using a torque wrench, torque the bracket bolts evenly to the factory-specified value (verify torque spec in the factory service manual).
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Verify installation and lower vehicle
    Visually inspect both bushings to ensure they are properly seated in the brackets with no gaps or misalignment. Verify all bracket bolts are tight. Raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack to unload the jack stands, remove the stands, and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground.

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is completed during the procedure steps
2. No additional components require reinstallation for this job

Verification

• Start the vehicle and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary to verify no binding or unusual noises from the sway bar area
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed over uneven surfaces and through turns, listening for clunks or rattles that would indicate loose or improperly installed bushings
• After the first 50-100 miles of driving, re-check the torque on all sway bar bracket bolts to ensure they have not loosened

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