This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front sway bar links (stabilizer links) on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost 4WD.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar link (left) × 1 — Motorcraft K750152 or equivalent
• Front sway bar link (right) × 1 — Motorcraft K750152 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated lift points
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed under frame rails
6. Remove front wheels completely
7. Inspect sway bar link condition and verify replacement is needed (torn boots, excessive play, clicking noise)
8. Apply penetrating oil to sway bar link nuts and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes if corrosion is present

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the sway bar link
   Locate the front sway bar link connecting the lower control arm to the sway bar. The link is a vertical rod with ball joints at each end. Inspect the area for any obstructions or damaged components.
2. 2

   Remove upper sway bar link nut
   Insert a 6mm Allen key into the top of the sway bar link shaft to prevent it from rotating. Using a 21mm socket, remove the upper nut that connects the link to the sway bar. The Allen key must be held firmly while loosening the nut. If the ball joint spins freely, the link is already damaged and will require cutting if severely corroded.
   ⚠The sway bar may shift slightly when the link is disconnected. Keep hands clear of pinch points.
3. 3

   Remove lower sway bar link nut
   Insert the 6mm Allen key into the bottom of the sway bar link shaft. Using a 21mm socket, remove the lower nut that connects the link to the lower control arm. Hold the Allen key firmly to prevent the shaft from spinning. Once the nut is removed, pull the link downward and out of the control arm mounting point.
4. 4

   Remove the sway bar link
   Extract the sway bar link from both mounting points. The link should pull free once both nuts are removed. If the link is stuck due to corrosion, gently tap the ball joint stud with a brass drift or use a pry bar to separate it from the mounting points. Inspect the sway bar and control arm mounting points for damage or excessive wear.
5. 5

   Clean mounting surfaces
   Use a wire brush to clean the mounting holes on both the sway bar and lower control arm. Remove any corrosion, dirt, or debris from the threads and contact surfaces. This ensures proper seating of the new link and accurate torque readings.
6. 6

   Install new sway bar link
   Position the new sway bar link with the upper ball joint stud inserted into the sway bar mounting hole and the lower ball joint stud into the lower control arm mounting hole. The link should fit without forcing. Thread both upper and lower nuts onto the studs by hand to prevent cross-threading. Ensure the rubber boots are properly seated and not twisted.
7. 7

   Torque sway bar link nuts
   Insert the 6mm Allen key into the shaft at each end to hold it stationary. Using a torque wrench with 21mm socket, torque both the upper and lower sway bar link nuts to specification. Torque the lower nut first, then the upper nut. Verify the ball joint boots are not twisted or damaged after torquing.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Repeat for opposite side
   Repeat steps 1 through 7 for the sway bar link on the opposite side of the vehicle. Both links should be replaced together to maintain balanced suspension performance and handling characteristics.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern
2. Remove jack stands and carefully lower vehicle to the ground
3. Torque wheel lug nuts to 150 lb-ft (204 Nm) in a star pattern with vehicle on ground
4. Remove wheel chocks

Verification

• Start vehicle and turn steering wheel fully left and right while stationary to verify no binding or unusual noises
• Test drive vehicle at low speed over gentle bumps to confirm sway bar links are functioning properly without clunking
• Perform a visual inspection under the vehicle to verify both links are properly installed and nuts are secure
• Check for proper suspension articulation and verify no contact between sway bar and other components
• Re-torque sway bar link nuts after 50-100 miles of driving as part of routine maintenance

More procedures for this vehicle