How to Install Sway Bar Bushings in 1993 Honda Accord

The 1993 Honda Accord was available in DX, EX, LX and SE models. The 1993 Accord was equipped with a 2.2-liter in-line four-cylinder engine that produced 125-horsepower and had front and rear sway bars, which are responsible for limiting the sway or tilting of the vehicle during turning and cornering. Replacing the bushings on the sway bar mounting brackets will strengthen the link between the sway bar and the car's frame. Replace the sway bar links when you replace the bracket bushings for optimum performance and safety.

Instructions

Use a jack to raise the front or rear of the Honda, depending on which sway bar bushings you are going to change. Place the jack stands underneath the front frame rails if you are working on the front of the car. Place the stands beneath the rear lift points, just in front of the rear tires, if you are working on the rear sway bar. Lower the car onto the jack stands.

Lie beneath the car and slide yourself into position to access the sway bar bushings where they attach to the frame of the car. Remove the bolt that holds the bushing brackets in place with a ratchet and socket. If the bolts are stuck, spray the bolts with rust penetrating spray and allow the penetrant to work for at least five to 10 minutes. Remove the brackets from the frame, then remove the bushing from the sway bar using a flat-head screwdriver if needed.

Install the new bushings onto the sway bar in the same position as the old ones. The placement should be easy; the sway bar should have a clean spot where the bushings were. Install the new bushing brackets onto the frame of the car. Tighten all of the bushing bracket bolts to 22 foot-pounds, using a 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench and socket. Torque values are the same for the front and rear bushing brackets.

Raise the car off the jack stands, then remove the stands from beneath the car. Lower the car to the ground slowly.

Loosen the front wheel lug nuts on the Accord with a tire iron. Raise the front of the car with a jack. Place jack stand beneath the front frame rails on the car. Remove the lug nuts from the front wheels completely, then remove the front wheels from the car.

Insert an open-end wrench on the top end of the sway bar link bolt, just behind the front steering knuckle. Insert a ratchet and socket onto the bolt head underneath the lower control arm. Hold the open-end wrench still while loosening the assembly with the ratchet and socket. Remove the nut completely from the link bolt. Pull the bolt completely out of the sway bar and lower the control arm with channel locks. Remove any old bushings or washers from your work area.

Install a new washer then bushing onto the new link bolt. Insert the link bolt through the lower control arm and sway bar. Install a bushing, washer and nut onto the other end of the bolt. If you have trouble getting the bolt through both the lower control arm and the sway bar, use your jack to lift the lower control arm, but do not lift the car by the control arm. Tighten the nut on the new sway link bolt to 9 foot-pounds of torque, with a 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench and socket.

Repeat Steps 2 through 4 to complete the sway bar link replacement on the other side of the Accord.

Install the front wheels and tighten the nuts snug with a tire iron. Raise the car off of the jack stands, then remove the stands. Lower the car to the ground, and immediately tighten the front wheel lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds with your torque wrench and a wheel nut socket.

Loosen the rear wheels of the car with a tire iron. Raise the rear of the Accord with a jack. Place jack stands beneath the rear lift points just in front of the rear tires. Lower the car onto the jack stands. Remove the rear wheel lug nuts, then remove the rear wheels.

Insert an open-end wrench on the stabilizer nut, located just behind the rear strut assembly, on the lower control arm. Loosen the bolt with a ratchet and socket while holding the nut still with the open-end wrench. Remove the nut completely from the bolt. Remove the bolt from the sway bar and lower control arm with channel locks.

Install a new washer and then bushing at the head of the new sway bar link bolt. Slide the bolt slightly through the sway bar, then install a bushing and then washer on the opposite side. Slide the bolt toward the rear strut farther, then install the sway bar link bolt sleeve around the bolt. (This metal tube comes with your sway bar repair kit.) Install a washer and then bushing at the opposite end of the sleeve. Install the bolt through the lower control arm. Install a bushing, washer and nut onto the link bolt.

Tighten the link bolt to 9 foot-pounds with a 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench and socket.

Repeat Steps 2 through 4 to replace the sway bar link on the second side of the Accord. Install the rear wheels onto the car and tighten the lug nuts snug. Raise the car off of the jack stands, then remove the stands. Lower the Accord to the ground slowly, then tighten the rear lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and wheel nut socket.