How to Replace the Sway Bar End on a '97 Accord

In 1997, the Accord came standard with a 130-horsepower, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine and had an optional 170-horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 engine. The 1997 Accord also came standard with front double-wishbone suspension and an anti-roll bar. This anti-roll bar, also called a sway bar, ties the left and right sides of the suspension together to limit body roll. Sway bar links at the end of the sway bar tie the sway bar to the lower control arm, and rubber bushings on these links allow a limited amount of movement. Over time, these bushings wear out and allow the sway bar to move without resistance; at this time you must replace the sway bar links.

Instructions

1

Loosen, but don't remove, the front lug nuts on the wheel needing the new sway bar link, using a ratchet and socket. Raise the front of the Accord, using a floor jack, and position jack stands under the vehicle's subframe. Lower the Accord onto the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel from the vehicle.

2

Locate the sway bar link at the end of the sway bar. Hold the nut on the top of the sway bar link steady, using a combination wrench, and loosen the link using a ratchet and socket. Pull the link, link bushings and washers from the sway bar and control arm.

3

Set a metal washer and rubber bushing on the new sway bar link and insert the link in the hole in the control arm. Push the sway bar link upward -- toward the sway bar -- installing the components on the link in the following order: rubber bushing, metal washer, metal sleeve, metal washer, rubber bushing, sway bar, rubber bushing, metal washer and nut.

4

Tighten the sway bar link to 14 foot-pounds, using a combination wrench to hold the nut steady and a torque wrench to tighten the link.

5

Reinstall the front wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the Accord from the jack stands, using a floor jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the car to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts, in a star pattern, to 80 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.