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

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear sway bar link × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer recommended jacking point
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands at frame rails
6. Remove rear wheel completely

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect the sway bar link
   Visually inspect the sway bar link for damage, torn boots, or excessive play. Note the orientation of the link and hardware before removal for proper installation.
2. 2

   Apply penetrating oil
   Spray penetrating oil on both upper and lower sway bar link nuts. Allow to soak for several minutes if fasteners show corrosion. This will ease removal and prevent stud damage.
3. 3

   Remove lower sway bar link nut
   Insert a 6mm Allen key into the hex socket on the ball stud shaft to hold it stationary. Using a 15mm wrench or socket, remove the lower nut that connects the link to the sway bar. Support the link to prevent it from falling.
4. 4

   Remove upper sway bar link nut
   Insert the 6mm Allen key into the upper ball stud hex socket to hold it stationary. Using a 15mm wrench or socket, remove the upper nut that connects the link to the rear axle or control arm. Remove the sway bar link from the vehicle.
5. 5

   Clean mounting surfaces
   Use a wire brush to clean the sway bar mounting surface and the axle/control arm mounting surface. Remove any corrosion, dirt, or old thread locker to ensure proper seating of the new link.
6. 6

   Install new sway bar link
   Position the new sway bar link between the sway bar and the axle mounting point. Install both ball studs into their respective mounting locations. Thread the upper nut onto the ball stud by hand, then thread the lower nut onto the ball stud by hand. Ensure proper orientation matches the original installation.
7. 7

   Torque sway bar link nuts
   Hold each ball stud shaft stationary with the 6mm Allen key. Torque both the upper and lower nuts to specification using the torque wrench. Torque the lower nut first, then the upper nut to ensure even loading.
   Torque spec

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

   Verify installation
   Check that both ball studs rotate freely in their sockets without binding. Verify no gaps exist between the link bushings and mounting surfaces. Confirm the link is not twisted or under excessive pre-load.
9. 9

   Reinstall wheel
   Place the wheel back onto the hub and thread all lug nuts by hand. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern snug but not to final torque while vehicle is on jack stands.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Raise the vehicle slightly to remove jack stands, then carefully lower the vehicle completely to the ground. Torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using the torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure both sway bar link nuts are torqued to specification with the Allen key holding the shaft
2. Verify wheel lug nuts are torqued in proper star pattern sequence

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and listen for any clunking or rattling noises from the rear suspension
• Drive over small bumps and during turns to verify the sway bar link is functioning properly without noise
• Perform a visual inspection after test drive to confirm nuts remain tight and properly seated
• Check that there is no excessive play in the sway bar link by attempting to move it by hand

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