Sway Bar Link - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear sway bar end links on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 5.0L V8 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear sway bar link (left or right) × 1 — Motorcraft K80793 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. If link nuts are corroded, apply penetrating oil and allow 10-15 minutes to soak
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on the ground (do not remove)

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise and support vehicle
   Raise the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack at the rear axle or frame jack point. Once raised to working height, place jack stands under the frame rails on both sides. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and ensure it is stable before proceeding. Remove the rear wheel on the side being serviced.
2. 2

   Locate the rear sway bar link
   The rear sway bar link connects the sway bar to the rear axle housing. Locate the link on the side being serviced. It will be a vertical link with ball studs on both ends, one connected to the sway bar and one to the axle housing. Inspect the link for physical damage, torn boots, or excessive play.
3. 3

   Remove upper sway bar link nut
   Using an 18mm wrench on the nut and a 6mm Allen key inserted into the top of the ball stud to hold the shaft, loosen and remove the upper nut that secures the sway bar link to the sway bar. If the ball stud spins, hold it firmly with the Allen key while turning the nut. Remove the nut completely and note the position of any washers or bushings.
4. 4

   Remove lower sway bar link nut
   Using the same 18mm wrench and 6mm Allen key technique, remove the lower nut that secures the sway bar link to the rear axle housing. Hold the ball stud shaft with the Allen key to prevent spinning. Remove the nut completely along with any washers or bushings, keeping them in order for reinstallation.
5. 5

   Remove sway bar link
   Pull the sway bar link away from the sway bar and axle housing. The ball studs should slide out of their mounting points. If the link is stuck due to corrosion, gently tap the mounting points with a rubber mallet or apply additional penetrating oil and wait. Remove the link completely and inspect the mounting points for damage or excessive wear.
6. 6

   Clean mounting surfaces
   Using a wire brush, clean the sway bar and axle housing mounting points where the link ball studs connect. Remove any rust, dirt, or corrosion to ensure proper seating of the new link. Inspect the mounting holes for any elongation or damage that might indicate additional suspension wear.
7. 7

   Install new sway bar link
   Position the new sway bar link between the sway bar and axle housing. Insert the upper ball stud through the sway bar mounting point and the lower ball stud through the axle housing mounting point. Ensure any bushings or washers are positioned correctly as they were on the original link. Thread both nuts onto the ball studs hand-tight.
8. 8

   Torque sway bar link nuts
   Using the torque wrench, 18mm socket, and 6mm Allen key to hold each ball stud shaft, torque both the upper and lower sway bar link nuts to specification. Hold the Allen key firmly in the ball stud shaft while torquing to prevent the stud from spinning. Torque both nuts evenly.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
   Reinstall the rear wheel, threading the lug nuts by hand first to avoid cross-threading. Snug the lug nuts in a star pattern with the wrench but do not torque yet. Raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack to remove the jack stands, then lower the vehicle completely to the ground.
10. 10

    Torque wheel lug nuts
    With the vehicle weight on the ground, torque the wheel lug nuts to specification using a star pattern. Start with the top lug nut, then move to the bottom, then alternate around the wheel to ensure even seating.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. If both rear sway bar links were replaced, verify both are torqued to specification
2. Ensure no tools or parts were left in the wheel well or under the vehicle
3. Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area to verify no unusual noises or handling issues

Verification

• Verify both sway bar link nuts are properly torqued and the ball studs do not spin freely
• Check that the wheel lug nuts are torqued to specification in a star pattern
• Inspect the new link for proper alignment with no binding or interference
• Test drive the vehicle and listen for any clunking or rattling noises from the rear suspension, especially over bumps or during cornering
• Verify the rear suspension handling feels normal with no excessive body roll

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