QA

How To Replace Sway Bar Link

Can I replace sway bar links myself?

Replacing the sway bar links is a repair process that can be done with a few basic tools. If you don’t have access to the correct tools or are short on time, ask a certified mechanic from YourMechanic to replace the sway bar links for you.

Is it expensive to replace sway bar links?

The average sway bar link replacement cost is usually between $125 to $160 including labor. The links themselves cost between $40 to $110 each, while the labor will set you back anywhere between $50 to $70.

How do you install sway bar end links?

Can you drive with a broken sway bar link?

If you suspect that a sway bar is broken, you can still drive the car, but you must use caution. It will feel “looser”, particularly when driving at high speeds. It’s very possible that this will cause you to lose control of the car, resulting in a serious accident if you’re not prepared for it.

Should you replace sway bar links in pairs?

Some sway bar links have ball joints and studs, while others are basically a long bolt with a sleeve and bushings. Most professionals recommend replacing sway bar links in pairs (i.e., both front links or both rear links).

How long does it take to replace a sway bar?

Bushings should take maybe 30-40 minutes to change (in pairs) front and rear.

How often should sway bar links be replaced?

Now, when it comes to the overall lifespan of the sway bar link, it will be from four to five years. However, if the roads have treated the car exceptionally well and the turns were not that sharp, you can expect them to last over five years.

Does changing sway bar links affect alignment?

Sway bar end links, or anything to do with a sway bar, won’t affect wheel alignment settings.

What happens if you remove sway bar?

Removing the front sway bar from your SUV or truck may produce a minor increase in articulation. These results will be dependent on the vehicle and suspension in question. Sway bars bring understeer (vehicle turns less than input) and oversteer (vehicle turns more than input) to neutral steering as close as possible.

What does removing a sway bar do?

See, the sway bar removal is generally one of the first things that Tacoma owners do. By removing it, you remove the (literal) connection between the two front wheels, giving you more flexy-flexy on the rocks, and better bump absorption on those washboarded roads.

Is a sway bar link the same as a stabilizer link?

The stabilizer and sway bars go by different names. You might know them by stabilizer link, anti-roll, and anti-sway bars. No matter what you know them by, they are basically the same thing.

How much is it to replace sway bar?

The average sway bar replacement cost is between $125 and $160, with labor making up $50 to $70 and the part costing between $55 and $110. It’s not usual to need a new sway bar. Typically, a car requires new sway bar end links or stabilizer bushings.

What causes a sway bar link to break?

When the shocks get worn out in a vehicle, it loses balance, and tends to tilt to one side or the other, resulting in much of the body weight of the vehicle sitting on the stabilizer bar. Therefore as the vehicle moves on a rough road, the unstable body eventually results into the bar breaking.

How serious is a broken sway bar?

If a front sway bar is broken, you’ll experience significant differences in how the car handles. It may feel “looser,” particularly when driving at high speeds. You could lose control of the car, resulting in a serious accident if you’re not prepared.

Are sway bar links necessary?

The sway bar, also known as an anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar, is a vital part of your vehicle’s suspension system and keeps it level during cornering. The sway bar link maintains the camber angle of the inner wheels to control motion. Like many automotive parts, over time the sway bar links will wear out.

How do you know if you need to replace sway bars?

Warning signs of a broken or bad sway bar link include clunks and squeaks. Over-steering or excessive lean through turns are also symptoms of worn sway bar links, but they can also be signs of larger problems with your vehicle’s suspension system.

Do front sway bars wear out?

Many cars have anti-sway bars in both the front and rear. The bars themselves rarely wear out while the “end links” with bushing do wear out eventually. As these wear, the car will sway more in corners, reducing the handling characteristics.

How do I know if my stabilizer links are bad?

Usually, the only symptom associated with a bad sway bar link is a clunking or popping noise while driving over bumps. The noise is typically the most noticeable when traveling at low speeds.

Are sway bar links sold in pairs?

For aftermarket, high performance endlinks, yes, they usually come in pairs. On RockAuto for aftermarket OEM, I’m going to say that “each” means one & you need 2 sets for each sway bar.