How to Install Sway Bar End Links on a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix

The sway bar in your 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, as in any other car or light truck, prevents excessive body roll while cornering. The ends of the sway bar attach to the lower control arms by sway bar end links that use polyurethane bushings to isolate the sway bar and prevent road noise from transmitting into the passenger compartment. If one of the links or bushings breaks, unsafe handling characteristics will occur. The average home mechanic can replace the end links in this car in just a couple of hours using basic hand tools and automotive repair equipment.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels about 1/2 turn using a 19 mm lug wrench. Lift the front of the car using a floor jack positioned under the front cross-member. Support the front of the car on jack stands positioned one on each side of the front subframe. Remove the wheels.

2

Spray the sway bar end link nuts and bolts with penetrating oil and allow a few minutes for the oil to soak into the threads of the nuts and bolts. Remove the 13 mm nuts and bolts that pass through the old links and attach them to the sway bar and lower control arms. Use a 13 mm wrench to hold the bolts while using a 13 mm deep socket and ratchet to remove the nuts.

3

Pry up on the sway bar with a pry bar, and slide the old link out from between the control arm and the sway bar. Wipe off any dirt and debris from around the link mounting points. Coat the new bushings with a light coat of silicon grease to prevent noise.

4

Place a new end link bushing and washer on the lower control arm with the bushing on the control arm and the washer on top of it. Ensure the small ring on the bushing fits centered in the end link bolt-hole on the control arm.

5

Slip the end-link spacer tube and another bushing and washer on top of the first washer and bushing. The two bushings and washers, and the spacer, will be snug against the lower control arm and the sway bar.

6

Slide a washer and bushing onto the new sway bar end link bolt. Push the new sway bar end link bolt through the top of the sway bar and down through the spacer and bushings until it protrudes through the bottom of the control arm.

7

Slide the remaining bushing and washer onto the end link bolt and secure it by screwing the new nut onto the end link bolt. Torque the end link bolts to 35 foot-pounds using a torque wrench. Reinstall the wheel and torque the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds. Repeat the process for the remaining sway bar end link.

8

Lower the vehicle from the jack stands in the reverse manner that you raised it. Test drive after completing the repair to verify unusual noises do not occur.