Sway Bar Bushing - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear sway bar bushings on a 2023 Rivian EDV 500 electric delivery vehicle to restore proper suspension performance and eliminate noise.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear sway bar bushing kit × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar bushing bracket bolts (if corroded) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface 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. Lift vehicle using manufacturer-approved lift points and support on jack stands rated for EV weight
5. Remove both rear wheels and set aside
6. Inspect rear suspension for additional worn components while accessible
7. Spray penetrating oil on sway bar bushing bracket bolts and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate rear sway bar and bushings
   Position yourself under the rear axle area. Identify the rear sway bar running laterally across the vehicle. Locate the two sway bar bushing brackets mounted to the vehicle frame or rear subframe, one on each side of center. These rubber bushings secure the sway bar to the chassis while allowing rotation.
2. 2

   Support the sway bar
   Before removing bushing brackets, note the position of the sway bar. The bar should be in a neutral, unloaded position with the vehicle at ride height on jack stands. If needed, place a jack or support under one end of the sway bar to prevent it from dropping when bushings are removed.
3. 3

   Remove driver side bushing bracket bolts
   Starting with the driver side, use the appropriate metric socket to remove the bolts securing the sway bar bushing bracket to the frame or subframe. These are typically two bolts per bracket. Support the bracket as you remove the final bolt to prevent it from falling. Set hardware aside and keep organized by side.
4. 4

   Remove driver side bushing and bracket
   Once bolts are removed, pull the bushing bracket away from the sway bar. The old rubber bushing may come off with the bracket or may remain on the bar. If the bushing is stuck on the bar, carefully pry it open at the split and slide it off. Inspect the bracket for damage or cracking.
5. 5

   Remove passenger side bushing bracket bolts
   Move to the passenger side and repeat the removal process. Remove the bolts securing the bushing bracket to the frame or subframe using the appropriate socket. Support the bracket as the last bolt is removed.
6. 6

   Remove passenger side bushing and bracket
   Remove the bracket and old bushing from the passenger side sway bar. If bushings are bonded or stuck, use a utility knife to carefully cut them away from the bar, being careful not to score or damage the sway bar surface.
7. 7

   Clean sway bar mounting surfaces
   Use a wire brush to thoroughly clean the sway bar surface where the bushings mount. Remove all old rubber residue, rust, dirt, and corrosion. Clean the mounting surfaces on the frame or subframe where the brackets bolt. The bar should be smooth and clean to ensure proper bushing fit and performance.
8. 8

   Inspect sway bar and brackets
   Carefully inspect the sway bar for cracks, damage, or excessive corrosion, particularly at bends and welds. Check that brackets are not bent, cracked, or excessively worn. Inspect bracket bolt holes in the frame for thread damage or elongation. Replace any damaged components before installing new bushings.
9. 9

   Install new driver side bushing
   Take a new bushing from the kit and identify the split opening. Open the bushing and position it around the clean sway bar in the correct location, ensuring the split faces the direction specified by the manufacturer (typically forward or rearward). The bushing should seat fully in its designated location on the bar.
10. 10

    Install driver side bracket
    Position the bushing bracket over the new bushing, aligning the bracket with the mounting holes in the frame or subframe. Ensure the bushing is properly seated in the bracket channel. Start both bracket bolts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement before tightening.
11. 11

    Install new passenger side bushing
    Repeat the installation process on the passenger side. Open the new bushing and position it around the clean sway bar at the correct location with the split oriented properly. Ensure the bushing is fully seated before installing the bracket.
12. 12

    Install passenger side bracket
    Position the bracket over the bushing and align with the frame mounting holes. Start both bolts by hand to verify proper thread engagement. Do not fully tighten brackets yet.
13. 13

    Torque bushing bracket bolts
    With both bushing brackets installed and the vehicle at normal ride height on jack stands, torque all bushing bracket bolts to manufacturer specifications. Since specific torque values are not provided in the database, refer to the vehicle service manual or contact Rivian service for proper specifications. Typical sway bar bushing bracket bolts for vehicles in this class range from 35-50 ft-lbs, but verification is required. Torque in a cross pattern if applicable.
14. 14

    Verify installation and clearances
    Visually verify that both bushings are properly seated in their brackets with no gaps or misalignment. Check that the sway bar moves freely through the bushings without binding. Verify adequate clearance between the sway bar and surrounding components throughout the full range of suspension travel. Ensure no wires, hoses, or high-voltage components contact the sway bar.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern
2. Lower vehicle carefully to the ground
3. Torque wheel lug nuts to manufacturer specification (typically 130-150 ft-lbs for this vehicle) in a star pattern
4. Remove wheel chocks
5. Dispose of old bushings and hardware properly

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and listen for any clunking, squeaking, or rattling from the rear suspension
• Perform several turns in both directions to load the sway bar and verify proper operation
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-inspect bushing bracket bolt torque and verify no looseness has developed
• Verify that any previous noise or handling issues related to worn bushings have been eliminated
• Check for proper suspension response during cornering and verify improved stability compared to worn bushings

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