Worn or cracked bushings can allow the sway bar to move, causing unnecessary movement of the suspension. This movement can cause the vehicle to sway slightly even though the steering wheel may not be turned. On a 2005 Jeep Liberty, the two sway bar links securing the sway bar to the lower control arm can be changed within a hour by most novice mechanics. One installed link can be used as a guide when replacing the opposite side.
Raise the front of the Liberty with a floor jack. Place jack stands under the frame rails near the wheels to secure the vehicle.
Remove the lug nuts with a socket wrench. Pull the wheel from the lug nut studs and remove it from the Liberty.
Unbolt the retaining nuts with a socket wrench applied to the ends of the sway bar link. The link, attached to the end of the sway bar and the lower control arm, is located just below the spring and behind the brake disc. It is a small bar about 6 inches in length. Pull the nuts, bolts and bushings from the two ends of the link.
Remove the link from the Liberty suspension.
Mount the replacement link into position, installing the bushings, bolts and nuts on the two ends of the link, finger-tightening the nuts to hold them in place.
Tighten the nuts with a torque wrench. The top nut, attaching the link to the sway bar, should be tightened to 100 foot-pounds. The bottom nut, attaching the link to the lower control arm, should be tightened to 85 foot-pounds.
Repeat Steps 2 through 6 on the sway bar link on the opposite side of the Liberty. Replace both links at the same time as replacing one link can lead to excessive wear.
Remount the wheels over the lug nut studs. Install the lug nuts with a torque wrench, tightening the lug nuts to 105 foot-pounds.
Pull the jack stands from under the Liberty and lower it to the ground with the floor jack.
