suspension
Sway Bar Bushing - Front
for 2012 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4 · FWD
Difficulty
Easy
Time
30 min
Tools
9
Steps
8
This procedure covers the replacement of the front sway bar bushings on a 2012-2017 Toyota Camry with the 2.5L I4 engine, requiring removal of the sway bar bracket bolts and installation of new bushings.
Warnings
⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.
⚠Inspect sway bar for damage or excessive wear while bushings are removed. Replace if cracked or bent.
ℹ️Sway bar bushings typically have a slit that must face forward or rearward depending on design. Note orientation during removal.
Tools required
Floor jackEssential
Jack stands (2)Essential
Wheel chocksEssential
14mm socket and ratchetEssential
Torque wrench (30-60 Nm range)Essential
Penetrating oil
Wire brush
Pry bar or large flathead screwdriver
Safety glassesEssential
Parts
- Front sway bar bushing set (2 bushings) × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Sway bar bracket bolts (if corroded) × 4 — Use OEM specification
Preparation
- Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
- Chock rear wheels securely
- Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
- Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated jacking point
- Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at frame rails
- Remove both front wheels completely
- Spray penetrating oil on sway bar bracket bolts and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes if hardware appears corroded
Procedure
- 1Access the sway bar bracketsLocate the front sway bar running laterally across the front subframe. Identify the two bracket assemblies that secure the sway bar to the subframe, one on each side. Each bracket is held by two bolts.
- 2Remove driver side sway bar bracketUsing a 14mm socket, remove the two bolts securing the driver side sway bar bracket to the subframe. Remove the bracket and carefully lower it away from the sway bar. The old bushing may stay on the bar or come off with the bracket.
- 3Remove driver side bushingRemove the old bushing from the sway bar. Note the orientation of the bushing slit (typically faces rearward). If the bushing is stuck, carefully pry it open at the slit and work it off the bar. Clean the sway bar contact area with a wire brush to remove rust, dirt, and old rubber residue.
- 4Remove passenger side sway bar bracket and bushingRepeat the removal process for the passenger side bracket and bushing. Remove both bolts, lower the bracket, and remove the old bushing. Clean the sway bar surface thoroughly where the bushing sits.
- 5Install new bushingsPosition the new bushings onto the sway bar in the correct orientation, with the slit facing the same direction as the original bushings (typically rearward). The bushings should be centered on the cleaned areas where the brackets will mount. Do not use lubricants on the bushings as this can cause them to shift during operation.
- 6Install sway bar bracketsPlace each bracket over its corresponding bushing, ensuring the bushing is properly seated in the bracket. Start all four bracket bolts (two per side) by hand to ensure proper thread engagement before tightening.Torque specSway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
- 7Torque bracket bolts to specificationUsing a torque wrench, tighten all four sway bar bracket bolts to 47.0 Nm (35.0 lb-ft). Tighten in a cross pattern if possible, alternating between the two bolts on each bracket to ensure even compression of the bushing.Torque specSway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
- 8Verify installationVisually inspect both bushings to ensure they are properly seated in the brackets with no gaps or misalignment. Verify all bracket bolts are tight and properly torqued. Check that the sway bar moves freely without binding.
Reassembly
- Reinstall both front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts
- Raise vehicle slightly with floor jack and remove jack stands
- Lower vehicle completely to ground
- Torque wheel lug nuts to factory specification (typically 103 Nm / 76 lb-ft) in a star pattern
Verification
- Test drive vehicle at low speed and listen for clunking or knocking noises from front suspension over bumps
- Perform figure-eight maneuvers in a parking lot to verify proper sway bar function without noise
- After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check bracket bolt torque to ensure they have not loosened
- Visually inspect bushings after test drive to confirm they have not shifted or rotated on the bar