Buick produced the Park Avenue, Riviera, Regal, Lesabre, and Century in their 1999 line of cars. The Century was the only one in the group that had a 3.1-liter V-6, while the other four models utilized a more powerful 3.8-liter V-6 engine. The stabilizer bar on the 1999 Buick is attached to the Buick via two stabilizer links, and two stabilizer mounts. The links are connected to the steering and suspension components, while the stabilizer mounts and bushings are mounted on the frame of the Buick. The stabilizer bar adds stability to the vehicle during turning and cornering.
Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly, using a tire iron. Turn the lug nuts counterclockwise until they spin freely. Do not remove the lug nuts. Raise the front of the Buick using a 2-ton jack, or a jack with greater capacity. Place two jack stands directly beneath the front sub-frame of the Buick. Do not place the stands beneath the control arm, as the suspension must be free for this project. Remove the wheel lug nuts, and then remove the front wheels completely from the Buick.
Place an open end wrench on one of the stabilizer link ends, upon the nut portion of the link. Place a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket onto the bolt end of the link. Turn both the ratchet and the open end wrench counterclockwise, relative to their position. Both tools should turn in an opposite direction. Continue turning the link counterclockwise until the nut is free from the link bolt. Remove the link from the Buick completely. Repeat this step on the opposite side of the Buick to remove the second stabilizer link.
Lay near the bottom of the front bumper and slide your body in position to access the two sway bar mounts and bushings physically. Remove the stabilizer bushing mount bolts using a 1/2-inch drive ratchet and socket. There are two bolts on either bushing mount, and the mounts are located on the bottom of the frame. Upon removing the final bolt, place your hand against the stabilizer bar to prevent it form falling down onto you.
Remove the old stabilizer bar by pulling it through one of the wheel wells of the Buick, from side to side. Install the new stabilizer bar through one wheel well, to start the stabilizer installation. Lay beneath the Buick again and guide the stabilizer bar into position between both wheel wells. Align the stabilizer bar with new stabilizer link bolts, by simply dropping a bare bolt through the bar and into the suspension assemblies on either side of the car. This will make sure the stabilizer is centered beneath the car.
Install the new stabilizer bushings around the stabilizer bar, and install the bushings mounts over the bushings. Press the bushings mounts to the frame of the Buick and start the mount bolts by hand into the frame. Tighten the stabilizer bar bushing mounts to 35 foot-pounds of torque, using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and socket. Remove the bare stabilizer bolts from the bar.
Install a metal washer, a rubber grommet, then another metal washer on one stabilizer links, in that exact order. Push the new link with accessories downward through the stabilizer bar only. Insert a stabilizer link bushing between the bar and the suspension mount. Push the stabilizer link through the bushing then the suspension mount. Install a metal washer, a rubber grommet, then a metal washer on the open end of the link, in that exact order. Install the stabilizer link nut onto the stabilizer bolt.
Tighten the stabilizer link bolt and nut using an open end wrench on the nut, and a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket on the bolt. Turn both tools clockwise in relation to their position on the vehicle, until the assembly is snug. Turn the assembly one full turn farther, once the assembly is snug. The stabilizer links can be tightened up to 50 foot-pounds of torque. Repeat this step to install the second stabilizer link and tighten that link accordingly.
Raise the front of the Buick using your jack, and remove the jack stands from beneath the car. Lower the Buick to the ground.
