Sway Bar Link - Front

Replace the front sway bar links on a 2018-2024 Honda Accord 1.5L Turbo to eliminate clunking noises and restore proper suspension performance.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar link (left) × 1 — Honda 51320-TVA-A01 or equivalent
• Front sway bar link (right) × 1 — Honda 51320-TVA-A01 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated lift point
4. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at manufacturer-specified support points
5. Remove front wheels completely

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate the sway bar link
   The sway bar link connects the front sway bar to the lower control arm. Identify the link assembly - it will be a vertical rod with ball joints on both ends, located behind the strut assembly. Inspect for torn boots, excessive play, or damage.
2. 2

   Clean the upper and lower mounting nuts
   Use a wire brush to clean around both the upper nut (at sway bar connection) and lower nut (at control arm connection). If fasteners appear corroded, spray with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 15-30 minutes before proceeding.
3. 3

   Remove the upper sway bar link nut
   Insert a 6mm Allen key into the top of the link shaft to prevent it from spinning. Using a 19mm socket, loosen and remove the upper nut that connects the link to the sway bar. The ball joint stud should separate from the sway bar once the nut is removed.
4. 4

   Remove the lower sway bar link nut
   Insert the 6mm Allen key into the bottom of the link shaft to hold it stationary. Using a 19mm socket, loosen and remove the lower nut that connects the link to the control arm. Remove the sway bar link assembly from the vehicle.
5. 5

   Inspect mounting points
   Check the threaded studs on both the sway bar and control arm for damage or excessive wear. Clean any debris or corrosion from the mounting surfaces. Verify the new sway bar link matches the original in length and thread pitch.
6. 6

   Install the new sway bar link
   Position the new sway bar link between the sway bar and control arm. Insert the upper ball joint stud through the hole in the sway bar, and the lower ball joint stud through the hole in the control arm. Thread the upper nut onto the stud by hand to hold the link in position.
7. 7

   Install and torque the lower nut
   Thread the lower nut onto the control arm stud. Insert the 6mm Allen key into the shaft to prevent rotation. Torque the lower nut to specification while holding the shaft with the Allen key.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Install and torque the upper nut
   Insert the 6mm Allen key into the upper shaft to prevent rotation. Using a torque wrench and 19mm socket, torque the upper nut to specification while holding the shaft with the Allen key.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Repeat for opposite side
   Perform steps 1-8 for the sway bar link on the opposite side of the vehicle. Both links should be replaced together to maintain balanced suspension performance.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts
2. Lower vehicle from jack stands using floor jack
3. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely to ground
4. Torque wheel lug nuts to 108 Nm (80 lb-ft) in a star pattern
5. Test drive vehicle to verify repair - clunking noises over bumps should be eliminated

Verification

• Start engine and turn steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary - no abnormal noises should be present
• Drive vehicle over small bumps at low speed and verify clunking noise is eliminated
• Visually inspect both sway bar links to confirm nuts are properly torqued and no gaps exist at ball joint connections
• Verify boots on new sway bar links are not torn and ball joints move freely without excessive play

More procedures for this vehicle