Sway Bar Bushing - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear sway bar bushings on the 2024 Rivian EDV 500 electric delivery van.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear sway bar bushing set × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar bushing bracket bolts (if corroded) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Disconnect 12V battery negative terminal and wait 2 minutes for system shutdown
4. Lift vehicle using approved lift points and support with jack stands at manufacturer-specified locations
5. Remove rear wheels to improve access to sway bar mounting points
6. Support rear axle assembly with hydraulic jack to maintain suspension geometry
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 bushing brackets
   Position yourself under the rear of the vehicle. Identify the rear sway bar running laterally across the vehicle. Locate the two bushing brackets that secure the sway bar to the frame rails, typically positioned near the center of the bar.
2. 2

   Mark sway bar orientation
   Before removing components, mark the sway bar position relative to the bushings and brackets using paint pen or marker. This ensures proper alignment during reassembly and prevents pre-loading the bar incorrectly.
3. 3

   Remove driver side bushing bracket
   Using appropriate socket, remove the bolts securing the driver side sway bar bushing bracket to the frame. There are typically 2 bolts per bracket. Support the bracket and sway bar as you remove the last bolt to prevent dropping. Remove the bracket and old bushing from the sway bar.
4. 4

   Remove passenger side bushing bracket
   Repeat the removal process for the passenger side bushing bracket. Remove both bolts and carefully lower the bracket away from the sway bar. The sway bar may shift position once both bushings are released.
5. 5

   Clean sway bar mounting surfaces
   Use wire brush to clean the sway bar surface where bushings mount, removing any rust, debris, or old bushing material. Clean the frame mounting surfaces and bracket mating surfaces. Inspect the sway bar for cracks, excessive corrosion, or damage.
6. 6

   Inspect bushing brackets
   Examine both bushing brackets for cracks, elongated bolt holes, or damage. Check bracket bolts for thread damage or excessive corrosion. Replace brackets or bolts if any defects are found.
7. 7

   Install new driver side bushing
   Position the new driver side bushing around the sway bar, ensuring the split in the bushing faces downward or as indicated by manufacturer markings. The bushing should sit in the correct location based on your alignment marks. Some bushings may have lubrication grooves that must face the bar.
8. 8

   Install driver side bushing bracket
   Place the bushing bracket over the new bushing, aligning it with the frame mounting holes. Start both bracket bolts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Hand-tighten both bolts, ensuring the bushing is properly seated and not twisted or pinched.
9. 9

   Install new passenger side bushing
   Position the new passenger side bushing around the sway bar in the same orientation as the driver side. Ensure proper alignment with your reference marks and that the bushing is fully seated around the bar.
10. 10

    Install passenger side bushing bracket
    Install the passenger side bracket over the bushing, aligning with frame mounting holes. Start both bolts by hand and hand-tighten. Verify both bushings are properly positioned and the sway bar maintains correct orientation before final torquing.
11. 11

    Torque bushing bracket bolts
    Working in a cross-pattern, torque all bushing bracket bolts to manufacturer specification. Since specific torque values are not provided in the database, consult the Rivian service manual or contact a Rivian service center for the correct specification. Typical sway bar bushing bracket bolts on vehicles this size range from 35-50 ft-lbs, but verification is essential.
12. 12

    Verify sway bar operation
    With bushings installed, manually move the sway bar through its range of motion to verify smooth operation without binding. Check that bushings are not twisted and brackets are fully seated against frame. Verify adequate clearance between sway bar and all surrounding components.
13. 13

    Reinstall rear wheels
    Mount rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in star pattern. Lower vehicle until wheels contact ground but not fully weighted. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification (typically 140-150 ft-lbs for commercial vehicles, verify with manual).
14. 14

    Final inspection and testing
    Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Remove axle support jack. Reconnect 12V battery negative terminal. Before driving, bounce each corner of the vehicle to settle suspension and verify no unusual noises from sway bar area. Test drive vehicle at low speed over smooth surfaces first, then progressively test handling and cornering.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all bushing bracket bolts are torqued to specification and thread-locking compound is applied if specified by manufacturer
2. Verify sway bar moves freely without binding or interference
3. Confirm wheel lug nuts are properly torqued after vehicle is lowered
4. Double-check that no tools or parts were left in the work area

Verification

• Test drive vehicle and verify normal handling characteristics with no pulling or unusual body roll
• Listen for any clunking, squeaking, or rattling noises from rear suspension during turns and over bumps
• Perform visual inspection under vehicle to confirm bushings remain properly seated and brackets show no movement
• Schedule a follow-up inspection after 100-200 miles to re-check bushing bracket bolt torque
• Verify suspension alignment if vehicle handling seems abnormal or if tire wear patterns develop

More procedures for this vehicle