Introduction
In my 50-year experience as a professional automotive technician, vocational educator, and vehicle owner, I have replaced hundreds of sway bar end links and sway (stabilizer) bar bushings. Tom Kelly, technical training for Hunter Engineering, noted, it's odd, "except when a customer complains of a clunking or rattling when driving or turning, sway bar end links are often overlooked." However, Kelly also said "they are important suspension components that are significant for driving safety, handling, and comfort." If you have a set of sockets and wrenches, and depending on your vehicle, a few special tools, replacing sway bar end links and sway bar bushings yourself can save time and money. Here's what you need to know.
About the Experts
Jim DeLeo has been in the automotive repair industry for 44 years and held positions as an ASE master technician, shop foreman and service manager, and now is Northeast Division Manager for Hunter Engineering Company.
Tom Kelley has been in the Auto/Truck industry for 36 years. He's ASE certified, has worked as a technician, alignment specialist, and service manager for a large tire dealership. Tom is now the Northeast Regional Trainer for Hunter Engineering.
John Alcaro has been an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) master technician for 43 years. He serves as the senior automotive technology instructor at North Montco Technical Career Center in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
Thanks to NM administration and Automotive Technology Program instructors and students for their assistance with this project.
When To Call a Pro
Replacing sway bar links is basic DIY job that can save you a couple of hundred dollars, especially if you have the proper tools. But know your skill limits. If the links are frozen in pace, hardware rounded off, or any part the sway bar link is attached to is worn or damaged, it's time to see the pros.
What Are Sway Bar Links and What Do They Do?
Sway bar links are metal brackets with either rubber or polyurethane bushings, or ball studs at both ends—or on older rear-wheel drive cars, sleeve covered threaded rods with bushings. They mechanically connect (link) the sway bar to the suspensions systems control arms. Working in tandem with the sway bar, sway bar links help distribute vehicle weight to keep all four wheels firmly planted on the road when one wheel moves up and down (hitting a pothole). They also resist suspension twisting, minimizing body roll or body lean when cornering, improving handling and steerability until your vehicle levels out.
What's the Difference Between a Sway Bar and a Sway Bar Link?
The sway bar, a long round bar made from spring steel, is connected to the frame by sway bar bushings and brackets. It absorbs the rotational (twisting) energy your car produces while cornering or driving on rough roads. In other words, a sway bar holds energy by twisting, then releases the energy when the suspension straightens out—comparable to a coil spring that absorbs energy by compressing, then releases the energy when uncompressing.
Symptoms of a Bad Sway Bar Link
Kelly stated "loose or missing sway bar link bushings, worn ball studs, hardware or fasteners will cause a popping, hammering or a dull thumping noise" from under the front of your car—that can repeat two or three times—before stopping, when driving on rough roads or turning. Worn, missing or dry rotted sway bar link bushings affect handling and steerability, cause uneven tire wear or your car to vibrate when stopping. Sometimes there's no good way to check them by feel (they're loaded with vehicle weight) or by sight. Jouncing (the physical up and down movement of the suspension) may help you identify worn sway bar links.
What Causes a Sway Bar Link To Go Bad?
Wear and tear. Kelly said cars produce a tremendous amount of rotational energy while driving, placing sway bar links under constant pressure, making them to wear out. If you drive on mostly level pavement, it's not unusual, similar to shock absorbers, for sway bar links to last 50,000 miles. But if you go off-roading, live in areas that promote rust and corrosion, or in climates with extreme temperature fluctuations, the lifespan of sway bar links will be shorter. In addition, I have seen sway bar link mounting hardware rust (seize) onto the bushings inner metal sleeve. This causes a creaking noise, as well as rendering sway bar links useless.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Sway Bar Links?
Depending on year, make, model, and quality, a replacement pair of sway bar links (like shock absorbers, always replace sway bar links in pairs), on average, costs between $25 to $100. DIY will save, depending on where you live, on average, $125 in labor charges (according to AAA $47-$215 an hour), plus the common 25 percent markup on parts and materials, and hazardous waste disposal fees.
DeLeo recommends replacing sway bar bushings ($20 to $65 for a set of two) when replacing sway bar links, especially if you hear a squeaking noise when going over bumps when it's cold outside or hear a thud when accelerating or breaking hard.
Safety
Work on stable dry ground and wear all personal protection equipment. Read and follow all manufacturers safety instructions and label directions, especially while using automotive chemicals.
