This procedure covers removal and replacement of the front sway bar link on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo, connecting the sway bar to the strut assembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar link × 1 — Use OEM Honda part 51320-TBA-A01 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid 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 designated jacking point
5. Support vehicle on jack stands at manufacturer-specified points on pinch welds or frame rails
6. Remove front wheel completely on side being serviced
7. Spray penetrating oil on sway bar link nuts if corroded and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate front sway bar link
   The sway bar link is a vertical connecting rod between the front sway bar (anti-roll bar) and the strut assembly. It has ball joints on both ends with studs pointing up and down. Identify the upper connection to the strut and lower connection to the sway bar.
2. 2

   Remove upper sway bar link nut
   Insert a 6mm Allen key into the top of the sway bar link shaft to prevent it from spinning. Using a 16mm wrench, remove the upper nut that secures the link to the strut assembly. Hold the Allen key firmly to keep the shaft from rotating. Remove the nut completely and note the position of any washers or bushings.
3. 3

   Remove lower sway bar link nut
   Insert the 6mm Allen key into the bottom of the sway bar link shaft. Using a 16mm wrench, remove the lower nut that secures the link to the sway bar. The sway bar may shift slightly as tension is released. Remove the nut completely and note any washers or bushings present.
4. 4

   Remove sway bar link assembly
   Pull the sway bar link out from between the strut and sway bar. The ball joint studs should slide out of their mounting holes. If stuck, gently tap the studs with a plastic mallet or use a small pry bar to separate. Inspect the old link for torn boots, excessive play, or seized ball joints to confirm replacement is needed.
5. 5

   Clean mounting surfaces
   Use a wire brush to clean the mounting holes on both the strut assembly and sway bar. Remove any corrosion, dirt, or debris from the mating surfaces to ensure proper seating of the new link. Check that the studs can pass freely through the mounting holes.
6. 6

   Install new sway bar link
   Position the new sway bar link between the sway bar and strut assembly. Insert the lower ball joint stud through the hole in the sway bar, then align and insert the upper stud through the strut mounting hole. Ensure any bushings or washers are positioned correctly as noted during removal. The link should sit naturally without forcing.
7. 7

   Install and torque lower sway bar link nut
   Thread the lower nut onto the sway bar link stud by hand. Insert the 6mm Allen key into the bottom of the shaft to hold it. Using a torque wrench and 16mm socket, tighten the nut while holding the Allen key to prevent shaft rotation. Torque to specification.
   Torque spec

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

   Install and torque upper sway bar link nut
   Thread the upper nut onto the sway bar link stud by hand. Insert the 6mm Allen key into the top of the shaft to hold it. Using a torque wrench and 16mm socket, tighten the nut while holding the Allen key firmly to prevent shaft rotation. Torque to specification.
   Torque spec

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

   Verify installation
   Visually confirm both upper and lower nuts are fully tightened and seated properly. Gently attempt to move the sway bar link by hand to verify it is secure with no excessive play. The ball joints should pivot smoothly without binding or looseness.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern
2. Raise vehicle slightly with floor jack and remove jack stands
3. Lower vehicle to ground completely
4. Torque wheel lug nuts to 108 Nm (80 lb-ft) in a star pattern with vehicle on ground
5. If both sides were serviced, repeat verification for opposite side

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speeds and verify no clunking or rattling noises from front suspension over bumps
• Perform figure-eight turns in a parking lot to load the suspension and confirm sway bar link is functioning properly
• Re-check torque on sway bar link nuts after 50-100 miles of driving
• Visually inspect link after test drive for any signs of looseness or movement at ball joint connections

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