Directions to Replace the Sway Bar on a 1998 Taurus

The Ford Taurus uses two sway bars (also called stabilizer bars) on its suspension--one at each end of the car. On the 1998 model, the process of removing and replacing the sway bar depends on whether you need to change it at the front end or the rear end. In either case, this remains a delicate and precise operation, especially with installing the new sway bar, as it can affect your car's alignment and operation.

Instructions

Removal - Front Bar

1

Raise the car's front end onto jack stands using the floor jack and remove both front wheels using the tire iron.

2

Disconnect the link connecting the stabilizer bar to the strut--hold the ballstud in place with an eight-millimeter wrench on the hex-head end while you remove the retaining nut with another wrench.

3

Remove the nuts connecting the steering gear to the large, U-shaped subframe--a torque wrench works best--then push the steering gear up and off the subframe by hand.

4

Raise a floor jack under each side of the subframe's rear end, then remove the two subframe bolts at the rear end with your wrench. Slowly lower the jacks until you can reach the sway bar's bracket bolts.

5

Remove the bracket bolts with the torque wrench and pry the brackets off of the bushings, then carefully guide the bar out from in between the subframe and main body.

Installation - Front Bar

6

Install and position the replacement sway bar on the subframe, making sure the bar has good bushings in the correct locations. Push the U-brackets in place over the bushings, then tighten the bar's mounting bolts to between 22 and 29 foot-pounds using the torque wrench.

7

Raise the subframe with the jacks until it comes into contact with the floor pan. Install the subframe's mounting bolts to between 57 and 75 foot-pounds with the wrench.

8

Connect the sway bar link to the bar by hand and tighten the nuts to between 35 and 46 foot-pounds with your wrench.

9

Reconnect the front wheels with the tire iron, installing the nuts in the "five-star" pattern, and lower the car off the axle stands with the floor jack.

Rear Sway Bar

10

Raise the car's rear end with the floor jack, support it on jack stands and remove the rear wheels with the tire iron. Block the front wheels with wheel chocks.

11

Remove the nuts, washers and bushings connecting the sway bar to the links at each side of the vehicle using a wrench. Remove the bolts for the sway bar brackets and lift the bar off of the car.

12

Install the replacement sway bar and apply the bolts/nuts for the brackets and sway bar links. Tighten the bracket bolts to between 25 and 33 foot-pounds with the wrench.

13

Reconnect the rear wheels with your tire iron, using the "five star" pattern and lower the car with the floor jack.