Suppose you are driving on a curved roadway, and all of a sudden, your car starts feeling loose or generates squeaking noises as you make the turn; this can be a symptom of sway bar link problems. The sway bar link is a small but important piece that keeps your car from becoming unstable while you drive. If it fails, then your car handling is off, making driving your car a chore and potentially dangerous. Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know about sway bar link failures: what they do and what symptoms to look for so that you can be able to arrest the situation before it gets worse.
What is a Sway Bar Link?
The sway bar that is sometimes also known as an anti-roll bar, links your car’s suspension on each side. They help to avoid a car rolling too much from side to side when cornering, making your car stable. Meanwhile, a sway bar link is a small component that connects the sway bar to the suspension system of the vehicle. This link is supposed to allow the sway bar to do its work when it is in good working condition. But, normal usage, bumpy rides, or the passage of time can cause the sway bar link to become weakened or even damaged.
Symptoms of Sway Bar Link Failure
- Clunking or Knocking Sounds: Loud clicking or clunking sounds when going over bumps or while cornering are warning signs that your sway bar links are worn out or broken. These sounds exist because the links are not firmly gripping the sway bar anymore.
- Excessive Body Roll: Does your car feel too light or do you get the impression it sways too much during turns? A bad sway bar link will not be able to control the movement of the car body or reduce the rolling of the car body.
- Uneven Tire Wear: A bad sway bar link will affect your car’s suspension alignment causing uneven tire wear. If you see an uneven tire, chances are you will find that the sway bar link is the cause of the problem.
- Poor Handling: When sway bar links are faulty, your car’s stability and general maneuverability are affected negatively. It may take a bit of time to turn the steering and the car may not react as you want it to when you make sharp turns.
- Visible Damage: If you look under your car, you may find cracks, rust, or even broken bushings on your sway bar link. Any sort of injury is an obvious indication that they require some form of care.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Failing Sway Bar Link
If you drive with a damaged sway bar link, it is not only uncomfortable but also very dangerous. A broken link weakens the structural stability of the car making the car very unstable and you may easily be overpowered by the car during sharp turns or when making an emergency turn. Also, not addressing the problem will only worsen your suspension system, meaning you will be forced to spend a lot of money to fix it.
Sway Bar Link Repair or Replacement
If you’ve broken a sway bar link, don’t panic, it’s pretty easy to fix. The entire suspension system will be inspected by a mechanic for the suspect, the sway bar link. After inspection, the old damaged sway bar link is removed and a new one is installed. In some cases, both links are replaced to keep things balanced. The mechanic will test your car after installation to make sure it’s handling properly. Sway bar link replacement is often a cheaper repair than major suspension repairs, and it’s a good investment in your safety and comfort.
Trust Our Professionals At Vic Auto Repair With Your Suspension Repairs in Spring
Sway bar link is one of the most important components of a vehicle, and when there is a failure in this component you should seek the services of competent auto mechanics who know how the component works. At Vic Auto Repair, we are your number-one shop for diagnosis and repairs of all kinds of suspension-related issues.
We operate from Spring, Texas, and we are devoted to delivering excellent auto repair services on all vehicles brought to our garage. Our skilled staff utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to make sure your automobile is safe and ready to go whenever you want to take it for a ride. In need of sway bar link repairs? Suspension maintenance? Or basic automotive services? We can assist. Call us now to set up an appointment for a thorough suspension system check and repair.