Replace the front sway bar links on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost to eliminate clunking noises and restore proper suspension stabilization.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar link (left) × 1 — Ford OEM or equivalent Moog K750136
• Front sway bar link (right) × 1 — Ford OEM or equivalent Moog K750136

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. If corroded, spray sway bar link nuts with penetrating oil and allow to soak
4. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
5. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated lift point on frame
6. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed under frame rails behind front wheels
7. Remove front wheels completely and set aside

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the driver side sway bar link
   Locate the sway bar link connecting the lower control arm to the sway bar on the driver side. The link has a ball joint design with a stud at each end. Inspect the boots for damage and note the orientation of the link for installation reference.
2. 2

   Remove driver side lower link nut
   Insert a 6mm Allen key into the bottom of the sway bar link stud to prevent it from spinning. Using an 18mm wrench, loosen and remove the lower nut that secures the link to the lower control arm. If the ball joint spins, apply firm pressure on the Allen key while turning the nut.
   ⚠If the stud spins freely and cannot be held with the Allen key, the ball joint is worn and the link must be cut off with a reciprocating saw or grinder.
3. 3

   Remove driver side upper link nut
   Insert the 6mm Allen key into the top of the sway bar link stud where it connects to the sway bar. Using an 18mm wrench, loosen and remove the upper nut. Pull the link assembly downward to separate it from both the sway bar and control arm. The sway bar may shift slightly when the link is removed.
4. 4

   Clean driver side mounting surfaces
   Use a wire brush to clean the sway bar and control arm mounting surfaces where the new link will attach. Remove any rust, dirt, or debris to ensure proper seating of the new link. Inspect the sway bar bushings and brackets for wear or damage.
5. 5

   Install new driver side sway bar link
   Position the new sway bar link between the sway bar and lower control arm. Insert the upper stud through the sway bar hole and thread the nut on by hand. Insert the lower stud through the control arm hole and thread that nut on by hand. Do not fully tighten yet. Ensure the boots are properly seated and not twisted.
6. 6

   Torque driver side sway bar link nuts
   Insert the 6mm Allen key into the lower stud to hold it stationary. Using a torque wrench with an 18mm socket, torque the lower nut to specification. Repeat for the upper nut, holding the stud with the Allen key while torquing. Verify both nuts are properly seated and the link moves freely through its range of motion.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove passenger side sway bar link
   Move to the passenger side of the vehicle. Repeat the removal process: insert the 6mm Allen key into the lower stud, remove the lower nut with an 18mm wrench, then remove the upper nut while holding the upper stud. Remove the old link from the vehicle.
8. 8

   Clean passenger side mounting surfaces
   Clean the sway bar and control arm mounting points on the passenger side with a wire brush. Remove all corrosion and debris to ensure proper contact with the new link.
9. 9

   Install new passenger side sway bar link
   Install the new passenger side sway bar link by inserting the upper stud through the sway bar and the lower stud through the control arm. Thread both nuts on by hand until snug. Check that the link is properly oriented and the boots are not twisted or damaged.
10. 10

    Torque passenger side sway bar link nuts
    Using the 6mm Allen key to hold each stud stationary, torque both the upper and lower nuts to specification with a torque wrench and 18mm socket. Double-check that the link moves freely and is not binding.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall both front wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Carefully raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack to remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle completely to the ground.
12. 12

    Final torque wheel lug nuts
    With the vehicle on the ground, torque the wheel lug nuts to Ford specification (typically 150 lb-ft) in a star pattern using a torque wrench. Remove wheel chocks.

Reassembly

1. Verify all hardware is torqued to specification and no tools were left in the engine bay or wheel wells
2. Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and listen for any abnormal noises
3. Bounce each corner of the vehicle to verify the sway bar links are functioning properly and not producing clunking sounds

Verification

• Start the vehicle and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary to verify no interference or binding
• Drive the vehicle over speed bumps or uneven pavement at low speed and confirm no clunking noises are present
• Verify the vehicle handles normally through turns with proper body roll control
• Visually inspect both sway bar links after test drive to ensure nuts remain tight and boots are intact

More procedures for this vehicle