suspension
Sway Bar Link - Rear
for 2012 Ford F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost · 4WD
Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years
Difficulty
Easy
Time
36 min
Tools
8
Steps
8
✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.
This procedure covers removal and replacement of the rear sway bar links on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost 4WD.
Warnings
⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.
⚠If sway bar link nuts are severely corroded, the ball stud may spin during removal. Replacement is required in this case.
Tools required
Floor jackEssential
Jack standsEssential
Wheel chocksEssential
19mm socket and ratchetEssential
6mm Allen keyEssential
Torque wrenchEssential
Penetrating oil
Wire brush
Parts
- Rear sway bar link (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent
- Rear sway bar link (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent
Preparation
- Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
- Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
- Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
- Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at designated lift points
- Support vehicle securely on jack stands at frame rails
- Remove rear wheels completely
Procedure
- 1Inspect sway bar linksVisually inspect both rear sway bar links for damage, torn boots, or excessive play. Check the ball joints for movement by hand. Note which side requires replacement.
- 2Apply penetrating oilSpray penetrating oil on both upper and lower sway bar link nuts. Allow to soak for 5-10 minutes if hardware shows corrosion. Clean threads with wire brush if needed.
- 3Remove upper sway bar link nutInsert 6mm Allen key into the top of the sway bar link ball stud to prevent it from spinning. Using a 19mm socket, remove the upper nut connecting the sway bar link to the sway bar. If the ball stud spins despite holding with Allen key, the link is worn and must be replaced.
- 4Remove lower sway bar link nutInsert 6mm Allen key into the bottom ball stud shaft. Using a 19mm socket, remove the lower nut connecting the sway bar link to the rear axle or control arm mounting point. Remove the sway bar link from the vehicle.
- 5Clean mounting surfacesClean the sway bar mounting point and axle/control arm mounting point with a wire brush. Remove any corrosion, dirt, or debris from the mounting surfaces and threads.
- 6Install new sway bar linkPosition the new sway bar link with the upper ball stud through the sway bar mounting hole and lower ball stud through the axle mounting hole. Start both nuts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement.
- 7Torque sway bar link nutsHold each ball stud with the 6mm Allen key to prevent rotation. Torque the upper nut first, then the lower nut to specification using a torque wrench and 19mm socket. Ensure the Allen key remains engaged while torquing.Torque specSway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
- 8Repeat for opposite sideIf replacing both sway bar links, repeat steps 2 through 7 for the opposite side of the vehicle. Even if only one side shows wear, replacing both sides is recommended for balanced handling.
Reassembly
- Reinstall rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts
- Lower vehicle from jack stands using floor jack
- Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely to ground
- Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern (consult owner's manual for lug nut torque)
- Remove wheel chocks
Verification
- Start vehicle and turn steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary to verify no binding or interference
- Test drive vehicle at low speed and listen for any clunking or rattling from rear suspension
- Drive over speed bumps or uneven pavement to verify sway bar links are functioning properly and quietly
- Perform visual inspection under vehicle to confirm both nuts are secure and links show no movement