Stabilizer Bushing Replacement
What is a sway bar bushing?
The stabilizer bar bushings are rubber blocks or bushings that grip the stabilizer bar (also known as a sway bar) and secure it to the vehicle body or frame. There are usually two bushings on each stabilizer bar, held in place by the bushing brackets. The stabilizer bushings, together with the bushing brackets, hold the stabilizer bar securely in place while it is under torsion from the weight of the vehicle.
How does the sway bar bushing work?
The stabilizer bar (sway bar) is designed to combat vehicle roll in a turn. As a car turns, the weight of the vehicle leans, or rolls, to the outside of the turn (as much as thirty degrees), placing more weight on the outside tires, and less weight on the inside tires. This weight differential impairs traction and vehicle steering and handling. The stabilizer bar uses torsion to transfer the outside weight to the inside tires and serves to keep the vehicle as level as possible when turning. The stabilizer bar bushings are the tie between the stabilizer bar and the vehicle body or frame.
What are the symptoms related to a bad sway bar bushing?
Worn stabilizer bar bushings will usually cause a squeaking sound when the vehicle is going over bumps or when the vehicle is turning. Whether the sound is coming from the front or the rear of the vehicle will determine if the front or rear stabilizer bushings are worn.
Can I drive with a sway bar bushing problem?
A vehicle can be driven when the stabilizer bar bushings are worn. A squeaking sound will usually be heard when the bushings are going bad, and the sound will likely get worse as the bushings increase in wear. Severely worn or damaged bushings can cause the stabilizer bar to come into metal-on-metal contact with the bushing brackets and cause further wear or damage to the stabilizer bar or brackets.