Sway Bar Link - Front

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front sway bar links on a 2025 Rivian EDV 500 electric delivery van.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar link (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Front sway bar link (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar link mounting nuts × 4 — Use OEM specification if corroded

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Lift vehicle using approved lift points or floor jack at manufacturer-specified jacking points
4. Support vehicle on jack stands rated for at least 9000 lbs if not using a lift
5. Remove both front wheels using 19mm socket
6. Spray penetrating oil on sway bar link nuts and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes if corrosion is present
7. Visually inspect high-voltage cable routing to ensure work area is clear of electrical components

Procedure

1. 1

   Access driver side sway bar link
   Locate the front sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the lower control arm on the driver side. The link will have ball studs on both ends with securing nuts. Clean any debris or corrosion from the mounting hardware with a wire brush.
2. 2

   Support sway bar
   Position a floor jack or support under the sway bar near the link to control its movement when disconnected. The bar will want to drop when the link is removed, so maintain light upward pressure.
3. 3

   Remove upper link fastener
   Hold the ball stud with an 18mm wrench to prevent spinning, then remove the upper nut securing the sway bar link to the sway bar using a 16mm socket. If the ball stud spins freely, use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to apply pressure while loosening the nut.
4. 4

   Remove lower link fastener
   Hold the lower ball stud with an 18mm wrench and remove the lower nut securing the link to the control arm using a 16mm socket. Remove the sway bar link from the vehicle. If the ball stud binds in the mounting point, use a ball joint separator to carefully pop it free.
5. 5

   Inspect mounting points
   Examine the ball stud mounting holes in both the sway bar and control arm for elongation, cracking, or damage. Check the sway bar bushings for tears or deterioration. Replace any damaged components before installing new link.
6. 6

   Install new driver side link
   Position the new sway bar link between the sway bar and control arm. Install the lower ball stud into the control arm first, threading the nut on by hand. Then align the upper ball stud with the sway bar hole and thread that nut on by hand. Do not fully tighten yet.
7. 7

   Torque driver side fasteners
   Apply medium-strength thread locker to the threads. Hold each ball stud with an 18mm wrench and torque both the upper and lower nuts to manufacturer specification using a torque wrench. Since torque specs are not in the database, consult Rivian service documentation for proper values (typically 35-55 ft-lbs for sway bar links).
   ℹ️Tighten fasteners with suspension at normal ride height position for proper preload - maintain jack support under sway bar
8. 8

   Remove passenger side sway bar link
   Repeat steps 1-5 for the passenger side sway bar link. Support the sway bar with a jack, remove both the upper nut (sway bar connection) and lower nut (control arm connection) while preventing ball stud rotation. Remove the old link and inspect mounting points.
9. 9

   Install passenger side link
   Install the new passenger side sway bar link following the same procedure as the driver side. Insert the lower ball stud into the control arm first, then align the upper stud with the sway bar. Thread both nuts on by hand before final tightening.
10. 10

    Torque passenger side fasteners
    Apply medium-strength thread locker and torque the passenger side upper and lower sway bar link nuts to manufacturer specification while holding the ball studs to prevent rotation. Verify both nuts are properly seated and torqued.
11. 11

    Final inspection
    Remove jack support from under the sway bar. Visually verify all four mounting nuts are tight and properly seated. Check that sway bar links move freely through their range of motion without binding. Ensure no tools or parts are left in the wheel wells.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels
    Reinstall both front wheels, threading lug nuts by hand first. Lower the vehicle until wheels contact the ground but vehicle weight is not fully on suspension. Torque wheel lug nuts to manufacturer specification in a star pattern using a torque wrench.

Reassembly

1. Fully lower vehicle to the ground and remove jack stands
2. Perform final torque check on all lug nuts after vehicle is on the ground
3. Remove wheel chocks
4. Test drive vehicle at low speed to verify no unusual noises or handling issues

Verification

• Bounce each front corner of the vehicle - there should be no clunking or rattling from the sway bar links
• Visually inspect both sway bar links for proper alignment and secure mounting
• Perform a test drive including moderate cornering - steering should feel responsive with no unusual sounds
• Re-check torque on all fasteners after initial test drive (recommended after 50-100 miles)

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