Stabilizer Bar: Service and Repair

Fig. 11 Double offset joint drive axle exploded view. Colt Vista w/four wheel drive:

1. Raise and support front of vehicle, then remove wheel and tire assembly.
2. Remove undercover, then remove strut bar and stabilizer bar and lower ball joint.
3. When removing strut bar, note position and location of bushings and washers.
4. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Before installing bushings on strut bar, position inner retaining nuts 3.17 inches from end of bar.
b. When installing ball joint to lower control arm, a flat washer must be installed under bolt not retaining the strut bar.
c. Strut bar to be installed on the right hand side can be identified by a yellow mark.
d. After lowering vehicle, torque stabilizer bar and strut bar components to the values shown below in ft. lbs.
Ball joint to lower control arm: 69-87
Stabilizer bar to crossmember: 22-29
Stabilizer bar to strut bar: 3.6-4.3
Strut bar to crossmember: 54-61
Strut bar to lower control arm: 69-87