Nissan Altima Sway Bar Link Replacement (2013-2018) Fix the Front End Clunk
About this video
Hearing a clunk, rattle, or knock from the front end over bumps and driveways? Before you replace struts or control arms, check the sway bar links. An ASE certified mechanic shows how to inspect them, how to get a spinning stud out, and how to install the new links correctly.
SAFETY FIRST
Suspension work needs the car supported properly. Use the factory lift points, jack stands in pairs, and chocked wheels on level concrete. Never work under a vehicle on a jack alone. Torque the new links to spec and recheck them after a short drive.
WHAT WE COVER
How a sway bar and its end links actually work and why worn links clunk
The hands on inspection that confirms a bad link before you spend money
Checking the sway bar bushings at the same time, since they make a similar noise
Breaking loose a rusted link nut and dealing with a stud that spins
When to use heat, a cut off wheel, or a wrench on the flats instead
Installing the new links and why they go in with the suspension loaded or at ride height
Torquing to spec and checking for contact with the strut or tire
Test drive and what should be gone afterward
SYMPTOMS YOU MAY NOTICE
Clunking, knocking, or rattling from the front over bumps and speed humps
Metallic clicking when turning into a parking lot at low speed
Noise that gets worse on rough roads and goes quiet on smooth pavement
Vague or loose feeling steering and extra body roll in corners
Rattle you can reproduce by bouncing the front end in the driveway
Visible torn boots, play in the ball stud, or rust and corrosion on the link
Noise still present after new struts, which usually means links or bushings
RELATED WARNINGS AND CODES
Worn sway bar links do not set codes and will not turn on a warning light, which is exactly why they are often misdiagnosed as struts, bearings, or steering rack problems. The noise is the diagnosis here, so the inspection shown in this video matters more than a scan tool.
DOES THIS APPLY TO MY CAR
Recorded on a 2018 Nissan Altima, fifth generation L33, sold 2013-2018 in the US with the 2016-2018 facelift included. It applies to 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Altima 2.5 and 3.5 models. The Altima is sold as the Nissan Teana internationally, and the same job and the same symptoms show up on the Nissan Maxima, Murano, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, Quest, Versa, and Infiniti QX60. Sway bar links work the same way on nearly every car, truck, and SUV, so this also applies to Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevy, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Mazda, Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
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