How to Replace a Stabilizer Link in a Chevy Impala

Remove the Impala Stabilizer Link

• Protect the steering wheel airbag coil from damage. To do this, position the front wheels so they point straight ahead. You also want to lock the steering wheel.

• Use safety supports to raise the car. With the car supported, take off the tire and wheel assemblies on the front of the car.

• Access the pinch bolt that secures the steering column intermediate shaft to the stub shaft. To access the bolt, move back the steering shaft dust seal. Once you access the bolt, use a wrench or a ratchet and socket set to remove the bolt.

• Remove the nuts and bolts that secure the stabilizer shaft insulator. Position a hydraulic jack so it supports the center of the rear subframe crossmember.

• Find the two rear frame-to-body bolts and remove them. Then lower the subframe to gain access to the stabilizer shaft. Don't lower the subframe more than necessary.

• Take off the insulator clamps and the insulators from the subframe. Then remove the Impala stabilizer link and shaft. Pull the stabilizer shaft toward the rear, swing it down and extract it from the left side of the car.

Install the New Impala Stabilizer Link

• Install the new stabilizer shaft from the left side of the car. Insert the new Impala stabilizer link nuts. You want these to hold the shaft in place, but you don't want to tighten them yet.

• Replace the stabilizer shaft insulator clamps and use a torque wrench to tighten them to 35 foot pounds (48 Nm).

• Put the subframe back in position. The intermediate shaft needs to be properly positioned in reference to the rack and pinion stub shaft. Use the torque wrench to tighten the pinch bolt to 35 foot pounds (48 Nm).

• Place the new service replacement frame-to-body bolts in the correct spots and tighten them to 133 foot pounds (180 Nm) to secure the subframe.

• Allow the weight of the vehicle to rest on the control arms and tighten the stabilizer link nuts to 17 foot pounds (23 Nm).