Sway Bar Link - Rear

This procedure covers removal and replacement of the rear sway bar end links on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic with 1.5L turbo engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear sway bar link (left or right as needed) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks at front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at designated jacking point
5. Support vehicle with jack stands under reinforced pinch welds or subframe
6. Remove rear wheel on side being serviced

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect sway bar link condition
   Visually inspect the sway bar link for torn boots, play in ball joints, or damaged studs. Check both the upper connection to the sway bar and lower connection to the suspension knuckle or control arm. If boots are torn or there is excessive play, replacement is necessary.
2. 2

   Apply penetrating oil
   If the sway bar link nuts show corrosion, spray penetrating oil on both the upper and lower mounting nuts. Allow 10-15 minutes for penetration before attempting removal. This is especially important for vehicles driven in salt-exposure conditions.
3. 3

   Remove upper sway bar link nut
   Insert a 6mm Allen key into the top of the link shaft to prevent rotation. Using a 17mm wrench, remove the upper nut connecting the link to the rear sway bar. If the ball joint spins, hold the Allen key firmly while turning the wrench. Remove the nut completely and note the position of any washers or bushings.
   ⚠The sway bar may shift slightly when the link is disconnected - keep hands clear
4. 4

   Remove lower sway bar link nut
   Insert the 6mm Allen key into the bottom of the link shaft to prevent rotation. Using a 17mm wrench, remove the lower nut connecting the link to the suspension knuckle or lower control arm. Remove the nut completely and separate the link from the suspension component.
5. 5

   Remove sway bar link
   Pull the sway bar link out from between the sway bar and suspension components. If the ball joint stud is stuck in the mounting hole, gently tap the connection point with a rubber mallet while pulling on the link. Do not use excessive force that could damage the sway bar or suspension mounting points.
6. 6

   Clean mounting surfaces
   Use a wire brush to clean the mounting points on both the sway bar and suspension component where the new link will attach. Remove any corrosion, dirt, or debris from the threads and mounting surfaces to ensure proper seating and torque values.
7. 7

   Install new sway bar link
   Position the new sway bar link between the sway bar and suspension component. Insert the upper ball joint stud through the hole in the sway bar, then align and insert the lower ball joint stud through the suspension mounting point. Ensure the link is oriented correctly with boots intact and not twisted.
8. 8

   Install and torque lower nut
   Thread the lower nut onto the sway bar link stud by hand. Insert the 6mm Allen key into the shaft to prevent rotation. Torque the lower nut to specification using a torque wrench and 17mm socket while holding the Allen key steady.
   Torque spec

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

   Install and torque upper nut
   Thread the upper nut onto the sway bar link stud by hand. Insert the 6mm Allen key into the shaft to prevent rotation. Torque the upper nut to specification using a torque wrench and 17mm socket while holding the Allen key steady.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall wheel
    Place the wheel back onto the hub and thread lug nuts by hand. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a wrench but do not fully torque yet. Lower the vehicle from jack stands using the floor jack until the wheel just contacts the ground with slight weight on it.
11. 11

    Final torque wheel lug nuts
    With the vehicle lowered and weight on the wheels, torque the lug nuts to Honda specification (108 Nm / 80 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove the floor jack. Remove wheel chocks.

Reassembly

1. Ensure both upper and lower sway bar link nuts are torqued to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft) with the Allen key holding the shaft
2. Verify no tools or parts were left in the wheel well area
3. If only one side was replaced and the other link shows wear, consider replacing the opposite side for balanced performance

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle and listen for clunking noises over bumps - noise should be eliminated if sway bar links were the issue
• Perform a visual inspection under the vehicle to confirm both nuts are secure and the link is properly seated
• Check that the sway bar link boots are not torn or twisted after installation
• Verify wheel lug nuts are properly torqued after 50-100 miles of driving

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