Ford 5L3Z-5K483-CA
Stabilizer Link, Front

The hex holding feature should be used first to stop ball studs from rotating during nut removal and installation for sway bar link service and repair. Minor tapping of the wheel knuckle or sway bar should replace hammering ball studs when separating them from their connections because it prevents damage. Begin by taking off the upper nuts from the sway bar link then secure them at 133 Nm (98 ft. lbs.) during installation. Tighten these lower sway bar link nuts to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.) while installing them. Take out the sway bar bracket nuts followed by sway bar links and remove the sway bar before tightening it to 48 Nm (35 ft. lbs.) when reinstalling. You must follow the opposite steps of removal in order to finish the process.

The first step to service the sway bar link requires a vehicle that is in NEUTRAL gear but resting on a hoist. The service requires new nuts for sway bar links. Install these nuts and torque them to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.). The lower nuts of the sway bar link go next after removal. Install new nuts when replacing by tightening them to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.). The service begins with removing sway bar links then continuing to take off the sway bar bracket nuts together with the brackets for removing the sway bar which will get discarded. The installation requires sway bar bracket nuts to be tightened to 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.) followed by performing an opposite order of removal for assembly. The use of replacement parts should begin with items bearing the exact part number because inferior materials or non-original designs can cause performance problems. The correct torque values need proper application during component assembly to achieve stable retention of key suspension structures while refraining from hitting the sway bar link ball stud and utilizing the sway bar for loose stud removal.

Always use new parts with the same part numbers or equivalent, and adhere to specified torque values to ensure the correct retention of these critical components.

Ensure the stabilizer bar is centered symmetrically between the two brackets, with equal distance between the brackets and links on both sides, and confirm that the paint dot is on the left-hand side of the vehicle.