How to: Dodge Ram Front Sway Bar Link Replacement

How to replace the front sway bar links on a 3rd gen Dodge Ram. This particular truck I am working with here today is a 2006 1500 4x4. This can be done with the truck on the ground, just turn the wheel out when alternating between each side to access the links. Make sure the truck is on level ground so the swap bar isn’t under tension. Worn or failed sway bar links can typically cause clunking and increase body roll. I’ll show you the common failure points at the end of the video. This truck is getting ready for the road and the bushings are worn so the whole link will be getting replaced. #dodge #dodgeram #mopar
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Tools/Supplies Needed:
-new sway bar links with bushings
-17mm wrench
-15mm wrench
-18mm socket
-1/2" drive ratchet
-johnson bar
-hammer
-pipe wrench
Procedure:
Start by removing the 15mm nut on the top holding on the sway bar. The hex on the top portion to prevent the link from spinning requires a 15mm wrench. If yours are excessively tight and you’re not reusing the old links, use a pipe wrench with the handle resting against the frame and a johnson bar instead.
Then remove the washer with the rubber bushing. The top requires a deep socket and I have a johnson bar for added leverage. I did break the link which is fine, I have a whole new assembly.
For the bottom below the ball socket joint, there is a spot to put a 17mm wrench, then the nut under the control arm is an 18mm. Loosen and remove the nut. Using a hammer, the bushing and washer can be removed above the sway bar mounting point.
Moving over to the driver’s side, turning the front of the wheel out. This side wasn’t seized so I was able to use a wrench and ratchet to remove the nut. Remove the bushing and washer on the top portion. Remove the nut from the control arm portion. I have already disconnected the other side, now is rotating up the swap bar to disconnect the links, then remove.
It’s important to compare the old and new links to ensure they are the same. These only install in one orientation, on the sway bar mounting side, first is the metal washer, then a bushing, then the sway bar mounts in the middle, next is another bushing, washer, and finally the nut. A rubber safe lubricant can be used to help push the bushings into place. There is no need for thread locker, the top using a nylock, while the bottom uses a stover nut, both forms of locking fasteners.
Putting the driver’s side into place, the nut just gets started by hand on the control arm side. Do not tighten it just yet. On the top, I didn’t install the top bushing for extra movement, but did however install the washer and only started the nut by hand.
Next is moving onto the opposite side, I didn’t turn the wheel this time as there is enough room under the truck.
With no bushing on the other side, this gives us a little extra movement to remove and install the links.
Make sure the bushing and washer that goes under the sway are installed. Insert it on the sway bar side, then bend the ball joint, and insert it into the control arm.
The bushing and washer with nut get installed above the sway bar then.
Going back to the driver’s side, tighten the lower 18mm nut, an 18mm wrench is also required to prevent the link from spinning. The torque specifications for the control arm nut is 75ft lbs or 102nm. Between the new and old links, I did find the sizes required for sockets and wrenches to be different.
Remove the nut and washer, install the bushing, then the washer, and finally nut. As you can see the sway bar is between the two bushings. The new nut is a 17mm and to prevent the sway bar from spinning, a 15mm wrench is required. The torque specifications for the sway bar nut is 20ft lbs or 27nm.
Turning the wheel back out on the passenger side to tighten the link, again using the same procedure.
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© 4DIYers 2013
All Rights Reserved
No part of this video or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the author.

[@4DIYers]

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[@FirstLast-nd3lw]

def best dodge truck vids. dudes standing in gravel and its snowing no pro shop bs. so much easier to understand

[@4DIYers]

Thank you so much!

[@ontariosfinest8971]

I'm replacing mine this week. I'm downloading this so I can watch it in my barn

[@toddymarx8222]

Worked like a charm on my 2008 1500. Thank you!

[@4DIYers]

You're welcome!

[@garbageman1983]

Thank you MOPAR guy,very well done and precise video,very much appreciated

[@kennybullchild6849]

Good video straight to the point

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@Gin-ig5zm]

Thank you. Simple and I'll save money 👍

[@4DIYers]

You’re very welcome!

[@zakkul6242]

Great suggestion and details, made it look like a piece of cake.

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@bbsmasonry4844]

Awesome explanation 👏 helped me abunch

[@4DIYers]

You're very welcome!

[@juanCarlosLopez-wb3kx]

Thank you for ur time on this video, very helpful to me

[@4DIYers]

Glad it was helpful and thank you!

[@thomassansom5657]

Very well explained thank you

[@4DIYers]

No problem and thank you!

[@daninturrisi8610]

Nice. Right to the point

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@Devwrld1]

Great Video...Very Helpful!!

[@TheRealRockyy]

Thanks brother

[@4DIYers]

You're welcome!

[@6nzchencho752]

I lifted my truck with a taller coil and the one I installed almost didn’t fit. Planing on putting a 3.5 lift spindle do you think I can reuse the original or might have to get a longer link ?

[@chrismacphersom3258]

Ya this model super super easy. One on the 05 2 wheel drive ram 2500 theres no access slot what then. Do i make one.

[@edgarh252]

I get a constant chirping sound after turning a corner down the street, could this be caused by the sway bar links?

[@4DIYers]

Chirping could be caused bay a variety of things... Stone in the tire, faulty cv joint, stone in the brake shield, bent brake shield, wheel bearing, etc. A bad sway bar link should cause a clunk but not a constant chirp while cornering. Best to get under the vehicle and take a look.

[@FriscoBossFriscoBoss]

Great video keep it up 👍

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@kennethross8419]

Are the sway bar links same size on 4×4,and RWD?

[@p_____1874]

Was there a loud clunk when turning?

[@4DIYers]

The only time I drove the truck home was from when I purchased it from 5min up the road, but I didn't drive after that until everything was fixed and I took it in for a safety. If your bushings are worn, it's possible. Other common issues can be control arm bushings, ball joints, or tie rods.

[@JoeJoe-wp1vv]

@@4DIYers right, why try and figure out what to change out, I replace everything, I've done a front end suspension twice since I bought my used '94 Dodge, I'm about to do it again, everything new all around.

[@JP-cb8bz]

Even though the truck shown is not a Dodge if you can afford one of these trucks then you can afford some cordless Milwaukee tools turn a four-hour project into an hour and a half project but all you old school guys can do it by hand if that's what you're into.

[@4DIYers]

What? It is a Dodge, it's a 06 Ram 1500 and it's not like these trucks are expensive. It took me 1.5hrs to replace them with hand tools and video work.

[@Rdenieuwe91]

Thank you sir

[@elmerquinterocano292]

What can i do if the sway bar wont align to the bolts after putting new sway bar link in

[@JoeJoe-wp1vv]

You have to buy a new truck to match your new SBEL's 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Jk

[@scottnj]

Could I use the same process on 2005 1500 4x4?

[@4DIYers]

This is an 06 so basically the same truck, just slightly different aesthetics.

[@antoniovibe1933]

So we don’t need an alignment after this?

[@4DIYers]

Not for a sway bar, it just helps with body roll when cornering.

[@chrismacphersom3258]

What do you do theres no access hole on the 05 2 wheel drive model.

[@4DIYers]

Do you mean a spot to put a wrench on the bottom joint where it connects to the control arm? Is there a spot to put a wrench or allen wrench on the stud below the nut? You could also used vise grips, cut off the old link, or get a nut splitter.

[@chrismacphersom3258]

@@4DIYers ya no I'm a dick. The ball joint popped off but I was over thinking it and I was super frustrated when I did that comment but vice grips on the ball joint and some uga duggas and I got it off. Once I seen the torque for it I felt like idiot. Thank you for getting back to me tho I do appreciate that. All in all great video.

[@alexramirez4983]

So you don't need a top bushing??

[@bomat761]

Of course you do.

[@JoeJoe-wp1vv]

Yes

[@grizzlybullz7723]

U didn’t have to jack the vehicle up ?

[@4DIYers]

Nope

[@ryanbinder1294]

What if your just doing one side. Can you move the sway bar to install one link after the old one is off?

[@Tony-Rinaldo]

@@ryanbinder1294 these are done in pairs.

[@stevejennings6657]

@@Tony-Rinaldo not necessarily.

[@JoeJoe-wp1vv]

@@Tony-Rinaldo true

[@BoundANDDetermined88]

Hey, where is your “subscribe” button?

[@4DIYers]

KZbin I think keeps changing around the layouts. There should be one on my channel homepage instead.

[@chrismacphersom3258]

Fin bs man.