This procedure covers removal and replacement of the front sway bar links on a 2021-2024 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar link (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Front sway bar link (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level 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 manufacturer-designated lift points
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands under frame rails
6. Remove front wheels completely

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the sway bar link
   Locate the sway bar link connecting the lower control arm to the sway bar. The link is a vertical rod with ball joints at both ends. Inspect the area for corrosion or damage.
2. 2

   Apply penetrating lubricant
   Spray penetrating lubricant on both upper and lower sway bar link nuts. Allow 5-10 minutes to penetrate if hardware shows corrosion. This step is optional but recommended for easier removal.
3. 3

   Remove upper sway bar link nut
   Insert a 6mm Allen key into the top of the sway bar link shaft to hold it stationary. Using an 18mm wrench, loosen and remove the upper nut that attaches the link to the sway bar. If the ball joint stud spins, hold the shaft firmly with the Allen key.
4. 4

   Remove lower sway bar link nut
   Insert the 6mm Allen key into the bottom of the sway bar link shaft. Using an 18mm wrench, loosen and remove the lower nut that attaches the link to the lower control arm. Hold the shaft with the Allen key to prevent spinning.
5. 5

   Remove sway bar link
   Pull the sway bar link downward to disengage the upper ball stud from the sway bar, then remove the link completely from the vehicle. Inspect the sway bar and control arm mounting points for damage or wear.
6. 6

   Install new sway bar link
   Position the new sway bar link with the upper ball stud inserted into the sway bar mounting hole and the lower ball stud into the lower control arm hole. Ensure both studs are fully seated in their respective mounting points.
7. 7

   Install and torque lower nut
   Thread the lower nut onto the ball stud by hand until snug. Insert the 6mm Allen key into the shaft and hold firmly. Torque the lower nut to specification using a torque wrench and 18mm socket.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link71 Nm (52 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Install and torque upper nut
   Thread the upper nut onto the ball stud by hand until snug. Insert the 6mm Allen key into the shaft and hold firmly. Torque the upper nut to specification using a torque wrench and 18mm socket.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link71 Nm (52 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Repeat for opposite side
   If replacing both sway bar links, repeat steps 1 through 8 for the opposite side of the vehicle. Both links should be replaced as a pair for balanced suspension performance.
10. 10

    Reinstall wheels
    Position the wheel onto the hub and thread all lug nuts by hand. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern until snug but do not fully torque yet.
11. 11

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground. With the vehicle's full weight on the wheels, torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are properly torqued to specification
2. Verify sway bar link ball studs are fully seated in mounting points
3. Check that no tools or parts were left in the wheel well area

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and listen for any clunking or rattling noises from the front suspension
• Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while moving slowly to verify proper sway bar operation
• Perform a visual inspection under the vehicle to confirm all fasteners are secure
• Check for any unusual handling characteristics or pulling to one side

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