Sway Bar - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear sway bar (stabilizer bar) on a 2025 Rivian EDV 500 commercial van with dual motor AWD drivetrain.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear sway bar (stabilizer bar) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar bushing set (if worn) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar end link bushings and hardware (if worn) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar bracket bolts (recommended replacement) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks at front wheels
3. Disconnect 12V battery negative terminal and wait 2 minutes for system capacitor discharge
4. Raise vehicle on lift to working height or use jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
5. Remove rear wheels to improve access to sway bar end links
6. Spray all fasteners with penetrating lubricant and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes
7. Visually inspect sway bar, bushings, end links, and mounting brackets for wear or damage

Procedure

1. 1

   Mark component orientation
   Use paint marker or tape to mark the orientation of the sway bar in relation to the frame mounting brackets. Mark the position of bushings on the bar and note any directional indicators on end links. This ensures proper alignment during reinstallation.
2. 2

   Disconnect driver side end link
   Locate the sway bar end link connecting the sway bar to the rear suspension control arm or axle housing on the driver side. Hold the end link stud with a wrench to prevent spinning, then remove the upper nut securing the end link to the sway bar. Remove the lower nut securing the end link to the suspension component. Remove the end link assembly.
3. 3

   Disconnect passenger side end link
   Repeat the end link removal process on the passenger side. Hold the end link stud with a wrench and remove both upper and lower mounting nuts. Remove the end link assembly. The sway bar should now be free to move but still held by the frame mounting brackets.
4. 4

   Remove driver side bushing bracket
   Locate the sway bar bushing bracket that secures the bar to the frame on the driver side. Remove the two or more bolts securing the bracket to the frame rail. Carefully lower the bracket and note the position of the bushing on the sway bar. If bushings are retained by the bracket, keep them together as a set.
5. 5

   Remove passenger side bushing bracket
   Remove the bolts securing the passenger side bushing bracket to the frame rail. Lower the bracket and bushing assembly. With both brackets removed, the sway bar should now be completely free from the vehicle.
6. 6

   Remove sway bar from vehicle
   Carefully maneuver the sway bar out from its mounting location. On the EDV 500, you may need to rotate or angle the bar to clear the rear suspension components, differential, and battery pack undercarriage protection. Work slowly to avoid damaging brake lines, wiring harnesses, or battery cooling lines.
7. 7

   Inspect and clean mounting locations
   With the sway bar removed, thoroughly inspect the frame mounting points for corrosion, damage, or elongated bolt holes. Use a wire brush to clean mounting surfaces on the frame. Inspect removed bushings and end links for cracking, tearing, or excessive wear. Replace any worn components.
8. 8

   Prepare new or reused sway bar
   If installing a new sway bar, compare it to the old bar to verify correct part. If reusing the original bar, clean it with a wire brush and inspect for cracks or damage. If installing new bushings, ensure the split in the bushing aligns with the split in the mounting bracket. Apply a thin film of silicone-based lubricant to the inside of bushings (do not use petroleum-based products).
9. 9

   Install sway bar into position
   Carefully maneuver the sway bar into position under the vehicle, routing it through the suspension components. Align the bar so that the bushing mounting locations match your orientation marks. Position the bar so the end link mounting points are aligned with the suspension mounting points on both sides.
10. 10

    Install driver side bushing and bracket
    Position the bushing around the sway bar with the split facing the correct direction (typically downward or rearward). Place the bracket over the bushing and align with the frame mounting holes. Install the bracket bolts finger-tight. Do not fully tighten at this stage.
11. 11

    Install passenger side bushing and bracket
    Position the bushing and bracket on the passenger side following the same process. Install bracket bolts finger-tight. Verify the sway bar is centered between both mounting points and aligned with your orientation marks before proceeding.
12. 12

    Connect driver side end link
    Install the driver side end link, connecting the lower end to the suspension mount and the upper end to the sway bar. Install washers and nuts on both ends. Hold the stud with a wrench and tighten nuts finger-tight. Do not fully tighten until vehicle is at ride height.
13. 13

    Connect passenger side end link
    Install the passenger side end link in the same manner. Ensure all washers and hardware are properly positioned. Tighten nuts finger-tight while holding the end link stud.
14. 14

    Torque bushing bracket bolts
    With all components installed and positioned correctly, torque the sway bar bushing bracket bolts to manufacturer specification. Since no torque specification is provided in the database, consult the Rivian service manual or tighten to typical values for similar fasteners (typically 35-50 ft-lbs for frame-mounted brackets). Torque in a cross pattern if multiple bolts are present per bracket.
15. 15

    Torque end link fasteners
    Lower the vehicle until the suspension is at normal ride height or use a jack to compress the suspension to simulate ride height. This ensures proper preload on the bushings. Torque the end link nuts to manufacturer specification while holding the stud to prevent rotation. Typical specification for end links is 30-45 ft-lbs, but verify with Rivian service documentation.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall rear wheels and torque lug nuts to Rivian specification (typically 140-160 ft-lbs for commercial vehicles, verify exact specification)
2. Lower vehicle to ground
3. Reconnect 12V battery negative terminal
4. Perform a complete walk-around inspection to ensure all fasteners are tight and no tools or parts were left under the vehicle

Verification

• With vehicle on the ground, bounce each rear corner to verify sway bar is functioning and no rattles or clunks are present
• Perform a test drive at low speed in a safe area, making gentle turns to verify proper sway bar function and no unusual noises
• Inspect all fasteners after test drive to ensure none have loosened
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-inspect all fasteners and check for proper torque
• Verify no clearance issues exist between sway bar and any high-voltage components, battery pack, or cooling lines

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