Sway Bar - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear sway bar (stabilizer bar) assembly on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear sway bar assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent
• Sway bar bushing brackets (if worn) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar bushings (if worn) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar end links (if worn or damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front tires
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at designated rear axle lift points
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed under frame rails
6. Remove both rear wheels completely
7. Spray penetrating oil on sway bar link nuts and bracket bolts, allow to soak for 10-15 minutes if fasteners show corrosion

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect driver side sway bar link
   Locate the sway bar end link connecting the sway bar to the rear axle on the driver side. Insert the appropriate Allen key (5mm or 6mm) into the shaft of the link to hold it stationary. Using a 15mm wrench, remove the upper nut connecting the link to the sway bar. The link will remain attached to the axle.
2. 2

   Disconnect passenger side sway bar link
   Repeat the same procedure on the passenger side. Insert the Allen key into the link shaft to prevent rotation, then remove the upper nut with a 15mm wrench. Both ends of the sway bar are now free from the end links.
3. 3

   Remove driver side sway bar bracket
   Locate the sway bar bracket mounting bolt on the driver side frame rail. The bracket holds the sway bar bushing in place. Using a 19mm socket and ratchet, remove the bracket bolt completely. Carefully remove the bracket and note the orientation of the bushing.
4. 4

   Remove passenger side sway bar bracket
   Using a 19mm socket and ratchet, remove the bracket bolt on the passenger side frame rail. Remove the bracket and bushing. The sway bar is now completely free and can be removed from the vehicle.
5. 5

   Remove sway bar from vehicle
   Carefully maneuver the sway bar out from under the vehicle, working it past the rear axle and suspension components. Inspect the removed bar for any cracks, excessive wear, or damage. Inspect bushings for tears, compression damage, or deterioration.
6. 6

   Prepare new or cleaned sway bar
   If installing a new sway bar, verify it matches the original part exactly. If reusing the original bar, clean the bushing contact areas with a wire brush. If installing new bushings, lightly lubricate the inside surface with silicone spray or soapy water (do not use petroleum-based lubricants on rubber bushings). Position bushings on the bar in the correct orientation with the split facing toward the bracket.
7. 7

   Install sway bar into position
   Carefully maneuver the sway bar assembly back into position under the vehicle, ensuring the end link mounting points are oriented correctly toward the rear axle. Position the bar so the bushing locations align with the frame rail mounting points on both sides.
8. 8

   Install passenger side bracket and bushing
   Position the bushing (if not already on the bar) onto the sway bar with the split facing the correct direction. Place the bracket over the bushing and align with the frame rail mounting hole. Install the bracket bolt and hand-tighten only at this stage to allow for final positioning adjustment.
9. 9

   Install driver side bracket and bushing
   Position the driver side bushing onto the bar with proper orientation. Install the bracket over the bushing, align with the frame rail hole, and install the bracket bolt hand-tight. Ensure the sway bar is centered and both bushings are properly seated before final tightening.
10. 10

    Torque sway bar bracket bolts
    Using a torque wrench and 19mm socket, torque both sway bar bracket bolts to specification. Torque the passenger side first, then the driver side, ensuring the bar remains centered during tightening.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Bracket Bolts55 Nm (40 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Connect passenger side sway bar link
    Align the upper end of the passenger side sway bar link with the mounting point on the sway bar. Install the nut onto the link shaft. Insert the Allen key into the shaft to hold it stationary, then use a 15mm wrench and torque wrench to tighten the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Connect driver side sway bar link
    Align the upper end of the driver side sway bar link with the sway bar mounting point. Install the nut, hold the shaft with the Allen key, and torque the nut to specification using a 15mm wrench and torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall rear wheels
    Install both rear wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle carefully from the jack stands using the floor jack until the wheels just contact the ground but the suspension is not fully loaded. Torque the lug nuts to manufacturer specification (typically 150 lb-ft for F-150) in a star pattern.
14. 14

    Final lowering and inspection
    Completely lower the vehicle to the ground and remove the jack. Remove wheel chocks. Perform a final visual inspection of all sway bar connections, ensuring all fasteners are properly installed and torqued. Rock the vehicle side-to-side gently to verify proper sway bar operation with no unusual noises.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all bracket bolts and link nuts are torqued to specification
2. Verify sway bar bushings are properly seated in brackets with splits facing correct direction
3. Check that sway bar is centered between frame rails with equal spacing on both sides
4. Confirm no contact points exist between sway bar and frame, exhaust, or fuel system components

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and perform gentle turning maneuvers to verify sway bar operation
• Listen for any clunking, rattling, or squeaking noises from rear suspension during turns or over bumps
• Verify improved handling and reduced body roll during cornering compared to worn or damaged sway bar condition
• Perform visual inspection after test drive to ensure all fasteners remain tight and properly positioned
• Re-torque sway bar link nuts and bracket bolts after 50-100 miles of driving as final verification

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