Sway Bar Bushing - Front

Replace the front sway bar bushings on a 2005 Dodge Viper to eliminate clunking noises and restore handling response by removing the sway bar brackets, sliding out the bar, and installing new bushings.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar bushing set × 1 — Use OEM specification or Mopar part

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Chock rear wheels securely
3. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-approved jacking points
4. Support vehicle on jack stands positioned under front subframe rails
5. Remove both front wheels to improve access to sway bar bracket mounting locations

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate sway bar bracket mounting points
   From underneath the vehicle, locate the front sway bar running transversely across the front subframe. Identify the two bushing brackets securing the sway bar to the frame, positioned between the front control arms. Each bracket is secured by bolts passing through or adjacent to the bushing into threaded mounting points on the subframe; verify the exact bolt count and configuration against the FSM before proceeding.
2. 2

   Remove driver side bushing bracket
   Using the correct socket size (verify against FSM), remove the bolt(s) securing the driver side bushing bracket to the subframe. Support the bracket as you remove the second bolt to prevent it from falling. Remove the bracket and the old bushing half from the sway bar.
3. 3

   Remove passenger side bushing bracket
   Repeat the removal process for the passenger side bushing bracket. Remove the bracket bolt(s) (verify socket size against FSM) and withdraw the bracket with the old bushing half. The sway bar is now free to move and can be lowered slightly or shifted as needed to facilitate bushing installation.
4. 4

   Inspect and clean sway bar
   Examine the sway bar surface where the bushings seat for rust, corrosion, or scoring. Use a wire brush to clean the mounting surfaces on both the sway bar and the subframe mounting points. Remove any rubber residue from the old bushings. Inspect the brackets for cracks or distortion and replace if damaged.
5. 5

   Prepare new bushings
   Unpack the new bushing set and verify the split orientation matches the original bushings. If the new bushings are polyurethane, apply a thin coat of silicone-based sway bar bushing grease to the inside diameter of each bushing half; do not grease OEM-style rubber bushings unless the manufacturer specifies it. Do not over-lubricate as excess grease will collect debris.
6. 6

   Install driver side bushing and bracket
   Position the new driver side bushing around the sway bar in the correct location, ensuring the split in the bushing faces downward or rearward as designed. Place the bracket over the bushing and align the bolt holes with the subframe mounting points. Start the bracket bolt(s) by hand to ensure proper thread engagement before tightening.
7. 7

   Torque driver side bracket bolts
   Using a torque wrench, tighten both driver side bushing bracket bolts to specification. Tighten the bracket bolt(s) evenly to the FSM-specified torque; if two bolts are present, alternate between them to ensure even loading of the bushing.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Install passenger side bushing and bracket
   Position the new passenger side bushing around the sway bar in the correct location with the split oriented the same as the driver side. Install the bracket over the bushing, align the bolt holes, and start the bracket bolt(s) by hand.
9. 9

   Torque passenger side bracket bolts
   Using a torque wrench, tighten both passenger side bushing bracket bolts to specification. Torque in a cross pattern to ensure even bushing compression.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Verify sway bar movement
    Manually push upward on the sway bar to verify it can rotate smoothly within the new bushings without binding or excessive free play. The bar should have minimal lateral movement but should rotate freely. Check that both brackets are fully seated against the subframe with no gaps.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheels
    Reinstall both front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle from jack stands and remove stands from under the vehicle. Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
12. 12

    Final torque wheel lug nuts
    With the vehicle weight on the ground, torque all front wheel lug nuts to the manufacturer specification in a star pattern. Perform a final visual inspection of the bushing bracket installation before test driving.

Reassembly

1. Ensure both bushing brackets are torqued to specification and fully seated against subframe
2. Verify no tools or parts are left in the work area before lowering vehicle
3. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification with vehicle weight on ground

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle over moderate road imperfections and verify the elimination of clunking or knocking sounds from the front suspension
• Check for improved steering response and reduced body roll during turning maneuvers
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-inspect bushing bracket bolts for proper torque retention and check for any bushing movement or bracket looseness

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