Sway Bar - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear sway bar (anti-roll bar) on a 2023 Rivian EDV 500 commercial electric delivery van.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear sway bar × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar bushings (pair) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar end link bushings and hardware kit × 2 — Use OEM specification if worn

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, stable ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks at front wheels
3. Disconnect 12V auxiliary battery negative terminal and wait 2 minutes for system capacitors to discharge
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
5. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at designated lift points
6. Support vehicle with jack stands at manufacturer-specified frame support points
7. Remove both rear wheels completely
8. Spray all sway bar mounting hardware with penetrating lubricant and allow to soak 10-15 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Document original sway bar position
   Take photos of the sway bar orientation, end link positions, and bushing alignment from multiple angles. This will aid in proper reinstallation and ensure correct alignment.
2. 2

   Remove sway bar end link nuts
   Locate the sway bar end links connecting the sway bar to the rear suspension arms on both sides. Hold the end link stud with a wrench to prevent spinning, then remove the upper and lower mounting nuts using a socket. Note the orientation of any washers or bushings for reassembly.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar end links
   Pull the end links away from the sway bar and suspension arms. If end link studs are seized in bushings, carefully use a pry bar to separate. Inspect end links for wear, torn bushings, or damaged threads; replace if necessary.
4. 4

   Remove sway bar bushing bracket bolts - driver side
   Locate the sway bar bushing bracket on the driver side chassis rail. Remove the bolts securing the bracket to the frame using appropriate socket. Support the sway bar with one hand as you remove the final bolt to prevent it from dropping.
5. 5

   Remove sway bar bushing bracket bolts - passenger side
   Repeat the process for the passenger side bushing bracket. Remove all mounting bolts while supporting the sway bar. Once the last bolt is removed, carefully lower the sway bar assembly from the vehicle.
6. 6

   Remove bushing brackets from sway bar
   With the sway bar removed from the vehicle, slide the bushing brackets off the bar. Note the orientation of the bushings and bracket halves. Inspect bushings for cracks, tearing, or excessive wear.
7. 7

   Clean mounting surfaces
   Use a wire brush to clean the sway bar mounting areas on the chassis rails, removing any rust, dirt, or old bushing material. Clean the contact area on the new or reused sway bar where bushings will mount.
8. 8

   Install new bushings on sway bar
   If replacing bushings, apply a light coating of approved bushing lubricant (check Rivian specifications) to the inside of new bushings. Slide new bushings onto the sway bar in the marked locations matching original positions. Ensure the split in the bushing faces the correct direction per your documentation photos.
9. 9

   Position sway bar assembly
   Lift the sway bar assembly into position under the vehicle, aligning it with the mounting points on both chassis rails. Ensure the bar is centered and the ends are positioned correctly to align with the end link mounting points on the suspension arms.
10. 10

    Install bushing brackets
    Place the bushing bracket halves around the bushings on both sides. Apply anti-seize compound to bracket bolt threads. Install bolts finger-tight first to ensure proper alignment, then tighten evenly in a criss-cross pattern. Refer to Rivian service documentation for proper torque specification.
11. 11

    Connect sway bar end links
    Align the end links between the sway bar ends and suspension arm mounting points on both sides. Install all washers and bushings in their correct order as documented. Apply medium-strength thread locker to end link threads and install nuts finger-tight.
12. 12

    Torque all fasteners
    With vehicle still on jack stands (suspension unloaded), torque all sway bar bushing bracket bolts and end link nuts to manufacturer specifications. Hold end link studs with a wrench while torquing nuts to prevent spinning. Verify all fasteners are properly tightened.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall both rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern
2. Carefully lower vehicle from jack stands using floor jack
3. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely to ground
4. Torque wheel lug nuts to manufacturer specification in star pattern
5. Reconnect 12V auxiliary battery negative terminal
6. Remove wheel chocks

Verification

• Visually inspect all sway bar mounting points to ensure brackets are seated properly and bolts are tight
• Check that end links move freely through their range of motion without binding
• Gently rock the vehicle side-to-side to verify sway bar is functioning and no rattling or clunking is present
• Perform a test drive on smooth road at low speed, then over moderate bumps to confirm proper operation
• Listen for any unusual noises from rear suspension during turns and over uneven surfaces
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-inspect all sway bar fasteners for proper torque and retighten if necessary

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