It is rare for a sway bar to go bad. Not so much with sway bar bushings. These rubber components wrap around the sway bar the way a weight lifter might hold onto a barbell with hands spread wide. Each bushing is attached to the vehicle body or frame with a bracket.
Over time, sway bar bushings tend to wear out. When they do, you might notice a squeaking sound, especially when going over bumps or when turning. Significantly worn bushings might allow the sway bar to contact the metal bracket and cause a clicking or clunking sound. You might also sense a change in how your vehicle handles in turns.
To replace a pair of sway bar bushings (they should be replaced in pairs), a technician will first need to lift and support your vehicle off of the ground to relieve tension cause by the weight of the vehicle. The tires and wheels might need to be removed for access. From there, a technician will unbolt the sway bar bushing brackets from the vehicle body, frame, or sub-frame. The old bushings are removed from the sway bar and new bushings are installed in their place. The brackets are reinstalled, and the fasteners are torqued.
On some vehicles, it might be necessary for the technician to detach the sway bar links as well. And on certain other vehicles, it is required that the engine subframe or cradle be lowered to access the bushings.
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