DIY: Front Sway Bar, Bushings, and Links for QX4 and Pathfinder R50

Steps:

• Remove eight 10mm bolts holding plastic splash guard. There may be less because the bolts tend to fall out, I only have six.

• Remove four 14mm bolts on each front sway bar mounts.

 

• Remove old bushings and only use soapy water as lube to install new bushings. Reinstall   sway mounts and splash guard if you are only replacing bushings.  Beck Arnley 101-6460 Stabilizer Bushing Set 

• To remove front sway bar:
• Jack vehicle and place jack stands under the front of the vehicle
• Remove both front wheels
• Disconnect bottom nuts on both front sway links. Pulling on the sway bar and extending the sway links forward will provide better access to the nuts. 
• The sway link nuts are 19mm. Use a wrench on the back nuts to hold it in place while loosening the nut facing you. 
  
  
  
   
• To install front sway bar: 
• Install sway links on each side of sway bar. 
• Install sway bushings.
• Install sway mounts.
• Install front splash guard.
• Install front wheels

I used ADDCO Front Performance Anti-Sway Bar over OEM.

• To remove & replace front sway links. 
• Remove splash guard and mounts
• Remove top and bottom 19mm nuts on both sides of the front sway link.
• The top nuts are connected to the strut and the bottom nuts are connected to the sway bar. 
• The picture below illustrates the old OEM front sway link.

•  To install:
• Install top sway link nuts to the strut
• Install bottom sway links nuts to the sway bar
• Install sway bushings
• Install mounts
• Install front splash shield
• Install front wheels 

It may be difficult to install the sway links so try installing the bottom nuts first, or installing the sway bar before the sway links. I would tighten and torque the links down after the sway bar and mounts are installed.

I purchased Moog Sway Bar Link because there are Zerk fittings so I can grease the bushings. Nissan OEM Sway Links do not have grease-able Zerk fittings.

It is time to change sway links where there is clunking and rattling going over bumps. Sway links will need to be replaced if there is slack when pulling on them. Another symptom is excessive lean or body roll in corners.

The nuts and bolts are most likely seized if not recently removed. Soak them with PB Blaster Penetrating Catalyst or another penetrating oil to aid in removal.

Below is a diagram from the service manual that has torque figures.