How to Install a Sway Bar Link Kit on a 1999 Blazer

The 1999 Chevrolet Blazer was available in both two- and four-door models, with rear- or four-wheel drive. It was equipped with a 4.3-liter V-6 engine that produced 190 horsepower and 250 foot-pounds of torque. The sway bar links on the 1999 Blazer are responsible for restricting the sway or tilting of the rear of the Blazer during cornering. It is recommended that you replace the sway bar mount bushings or insulators as well as the links to completely strengthen the rear sway bar system.

Instructions

Sway Bar Link Replacement

1

Raise the rear of the Blazer with a jack. Place jack stands beneath both ends of the rear axle housing. Lower the Blazer onto the jack stands.

2

Lie beneath the rear bumper of the Blazer to access the rear sway bar. Insert an open-end wrench onto the nut at the top of the old sway bar link. Insert a ratchet and socket onto the bolt head at the bottom of the link. Loosen the bolt and nut assembly by turning the bolt counterclockwise while turning the nut in the opposite direction with the wrench. Do not worry if you snap the link in half while attempting to remove it.

3

Remove the bolt downward with a pair of channel locks or pliers. Twist the bolt back and forth while puling it to loosen it from the sway bar link bushings. If the bolt broke while you were trying to loosen it, remove the bottom portion first, then tap the upper portion of the bolt upward and out with a hammer.

4

Install a metal washer, then a bushing, onto the new sway bar link bolt. Insert the bolt upward through the rear mount until it protrudes slightly through the mount. Insert a bushing, then a metal washer, onto the bolt, then slide the bolt upward farther. Install the metal bolt sleeve around the sway bar link. Install a washer, then a bushing above the sleeve, then slide the bolt through the sway bar end. Install a bushing, washer and the link nut on the upper end.

5

Tighten the sway bar link nut and bolt combination to 25 foot-pounds with a torque wrench on the bolt and an open-end wrench on the nut.

6

Repeat steps 2 through 5 to complete the link replacement on the second side of the Blazer. Raise the Blazer off the jack stands, and remove the stands from beneath the vehicle. Lower the Blazer to the ground.

Sway Bar Mount Bushing Replacement

7

Raise the rear of the Blazer with a jack. Place jack stands beneath both ends of the rear axle housing. Lower the Blazer onto the jack stands.

8

Lie beneath the truck to access one of the sway bar frame mount bushings. Remove the nuts from the U-bolt that attaches the mount to the frame, using a ratchet and socket. Remove the U-bolt, bushing clamp and bushing from the sway bar.

9

Install a new bushing onto the sway bar. Install the bushing clamp onto the bushing. Install the U-bolt over the clamp. Tighten the U-bolt nuts to 44 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

10

Repeat steps 2 and 3 to complete the sway bar mount bushing replacement on the other side of the Blazer. Raise the Blazer off the jack stands, and remove the stands from beneath the vehicle. Lower the Blazer to the ground.