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.
How often do sway bar bushings need to be replaced?
There is no set replacement schedule for stabilizer bar bushings, through most vehicles will need to have them changed at some point. A good time to replace the stabilizer bar bushings is when they being to make a squeaking sound when the vehicle is going over bumps or through turns, or when the sway bar links are being replaced.
How are sway bar bushing issues diagnosed?
Worn stabilizer bar bushings are diagnosed by a technician during a test drive where they will listen for the telltale squeaking sound of a worn bushing. Alternately, a technician may attempt to bounce the car in place by rocking it up and down in order to cause the stabilizer bar to twist and duplicate the noise. Finally, the vehicle will be raised in the air on a hoist and the stabilizer bushings and brackets will be visually inspected for signs of wear or damage.
Each Stabilizer Bar commonly uses 2 bushings, they should always be replaced as a set.
How is a sway bar bushing replaced?
Stabilizer bushings are replaced by first lifting and supporting the vehicle off the ground in order to gain access to the bushing brackets and to relieve the torsion on the stabilizer bar from the weight of the vehicle. The stabilizer bushings and brackets are removed and new parts are installed in their place. It is common to replace the stabilizer bar (sway bar) links at the same time.
Where applicable, end links should be inspected and replaced as necessary when Stabilizer Bushings are replaced.
RepairPal Recommendations for sway bar bushing issues
There are usually two bushings on a stabilizer bar. RepairPal recommends replacing the stabilizer bar bushings as a set. The sway bar links should be inspected and replaced (if necessary) at the same time.
