Sway Bar - Rear

Remove and replace the rear sway bar (stabilizer bar) to restore proper suspension performance and reduce body roll during cornering.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear sway bar × 1 — 48815-06120 or equivalent
• Sway bar bushings (pair) × 1 — 48815-06121 or equivalent
• Sway bar bracket bolts × 2 — Use OEM specification if corroded

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Chock front wheels securely
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at center of rear subframe
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at manufacturer-specified jacking points
6. Remove both rear wheels completely
7. Spray penetrating oil on sway bar link nuts and bracket bolts if fasteners show corrosion

Procedure

1. 1

   Support rear suspension
   Place floor jack under one side of the rear suspension control arm or knuckle assembly to support the weight and relieve tension on the sway bar link. Raise just enough to take load off the sway bar without lifting the vehicle.
2. 2

   Remove driver side sway bar link
   Locate the sway bar end link connecting the sway bar to the suspension. Insert 6mm Allen key into the center of the link shaft to prevent spinning. Using 14mm socket, remove the lower nut connecting the link to the sway bar. The link can remain attached to the suspension.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove passenger side sway bar link
   Reposition floor jack to support passenger side rear suspension. Insert 6mm Allen key into link shaft and remove lower 14mm nut connecting the sway bar link to the sway bar. Allow link to remain attached to suspension.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove driver side sway bar bracket
   Locate the sway bar mounting bracket bolted to the rear subframe on driver side. Using 14mm socket, remove both bracket bolts. Remove bracket and note position of sway bar bushing. The bushing may be split into two halves.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove passenger side sway bar bracket
   Using 14mm socket, remove both bracket bolts from passenger side sway bar bracket. Remove bracket and bushing, noting orientation and position for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove sway bar from vehicle
   Maneuver the sway bar downward and toward one side to clear the suspension components and subframe. The bar may need to be rotated or angled to remove it from the vehicle. Remove old bushings from the bar if they remain attached.
7. 7

   Prepare new sway bar
   Clean mounting areas on subframe with wire brush. Install new sway bar bushings onto the bar, ensuring the split in the bushing faces toward the rear of the vehicle and the bushing is centered on the marked area of the bar. Apply small amount of silicone grease to inside of bushings if desired to reduce squeaking.
8. 8

   Install new sway bar
   Maneuver new sway bar into position, routing it through the suspension components. Align the bar so the bushing locations match the mounting bracket positions on the subframe. Ensure end links will align with bar ends.
9. 9

   Install sway bar brackets
   Position bushings and brackets over sway bar at both mounting locations on the subframe. Verify bushings are properly seated and centered. Start all four bracket bolts by hand before tightening. Torque bracket bolts to specification.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Connect sway bar links
    Position sway bar end link studs through the holes in both ends of the sway bar. Thread nuts onto link studs by hand. Insert 6mm Allen key into link shaft to prevent rotation. Torque link nuts to specification on both sides.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall wheels
    Remove floor jack from under suspension. Install both rear wheels and thread lug nuts by hand. Torque lug nuts to 110 Nm (80 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Lower vehicle from jack stands to the ground.

Reassembly

1. Final tighten wheel lug nuts to specification after vehicle is on ground
2. Remove wheel chocks and perform final walk-around inspection
3. Test drive vehicle at low speed initially to verify no unusual noises or handling issues

Verification

• Verify all bracket bolts and link nuts are torqued to specification
• Visually inspect that sway bar moves freely without binding or contact with suspension components
• Bounce each rear corner of vehicle to verify no rattles or clunking from sway bar area
• Test drive vehicle and verify reduced body roll in turns with no squeaking or knocking noises from rear suspension

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