How to replace 2000 mercury sable sway bar links

Actually, to replace the rear sway bar link the way to get the space required is to raise the opposite side of the car. If you are working on the right side, you will need to have the left side raised to lower the sway enough to get the new link installed. The simplest way to do this is to drive the opposite side rear wheel onto a 6 inch platform (3 2x8 boards nailed together works well if you don't have a car ramp. Otherwise, you can jack up that opposite side of the car, leave the wheel on, and lower it onto a jack stand.
Once the opposite side is raised, you can remove and replace the sway bar mounting bolt. You do not have to jack up the side you are working on, but you can do so if you want to allow more room to work. Lower the replacement side, or raise the opposite side as needed to align the stabilizer bar with the new sway bar mounting bolt. Actually, to replace the rear sway bar link the way to get the space required is to raise the opposite side of the car. If you are working on the right side, you will need to have the left side raised to lower the sway enough to get the new link installed. The simplest way to do this is to drive the opposite side rear wheel onto a 6 inch platform (3 2x8 boards nailed together works well if you don't have a car ramp. Otherwise, you can jack up that opposite side of the car, leave the wheel on, and lower it onto a jack stand. Once the opposite side is raised, you can remove and replace the sway bar mounting bolt. You do not have to jack up the side you are working on, but you can do so if you want to allow more room to work. Lower the replacement side, or raise the opposite side as needed to align the stabilizer bar with the new sway bar mounting bolt.