0
Worn Front sway bar bushings will make a clunk noise when the car is turning or going over bumps. A sway bar is an important handling component and should be fixed asap.
The steps to check and change these on a +2000 Pontiac Bonneville are:
Bounce the car up and down and try to determine where the noise is located.
Find a flat hard surface, jack up the front of the car and place jack stands under the frame and wheel chocks on both sides of a rear wheel put the parking brake on. Ensure the car will not fall off the jack stands when you are under it tugging and hammering on the frame. You won't get a second chance.
Make sure you know where the noise is coming from. The front sway bar goes across the car near the rear of the engine and connects to the control arm which connects the wheels on each side of the car. Its purpose is to transfer torque and prevent roll etc. An end link connects each side of the sway bar to each control arm. The ends of the sway bar sits above the control arms and have a hole in it. The shaft bolt is installed upward through the lower control arm then the upper control arm which then connects to the sway bar above it. Rubber bushings are on each side of the control arms and sway bar and held in place by washers placed on the shaft. Examine the rubber bushings, the washers and the spacer between the control arms. These might be damaged or, broken if they need replacing. The sway bar frame bushings are located on the sub frame beside the wheel wells. Check these to ensure they are not cracked or damaged.
If you have determined the sway bar end links need replacing you do not have to take off the front wheels but, it makes the job much easier. Ensure you have the replacement parts. Make note how the links are installed on the car you will not get any instructions with the parts. Use a 15mm socket for OEM parts and undo the shaft on the links. The link will fall apart or, you may have to pry them apart and you may have to hammer the rusted shaft out of the bushings. Once the links are out, the sway bar will move up and down easily. Assemble the new link with bushings and install the shaft from the bottom hole in the lower control arm. The bushings and washers have a face for the retaining washers and another for the control arms - ensure they are placed correctly and in order. Refer to the old parts if needed. If the main bushings need replacing undo the brackets and replace the bushings by sliding them sideways off the sway bar. The main bushings have a cut which will pull through the bar. Put some non lithium grease on the new bushings so they will not bind. Tighten the brackets over the main bushing and ensure the sway bar is correctly placed. You do not need to remove the sway bar from the car.
To align the links with the sway bar you may have to raise the control arm with a jack or, pull the control arms together with a minimum 4" C clamp while raising the control arm with a jack. Raise both control arms with separate jacks at the same time to keep the sway bar aligned and the links will align easily. Moog replacement nuts are 9/16". Put the nut on each and torque to 156 in lbs. or, about 13 ft lbs. Reinstall the wheels and lower the car. Check to ensure the noise is gone.
What else can I help you with?
How do you tighten sway bar of Saturn l 300?
The sway bar is not adjustable, but you can replace the bushings.
How do you replace front sway bar bushings on 2003 Ford Windstar?
To replace the front sway bar bushings on a 2003 Ford Windstar, first raise the vehicle and secure it on jack stands. Then, locate the sway bar and remove the bolts securing the sway bar brackets to the frame. After removing the brackets, slide off the old bushings and replace them with new ones, ensuring they are properly seated. Finally, reattach the sway bar brackets, tighten the bolts, and lower the vehicle back to the ground.
How do you replace sway bar?
You have to remove the end links, then remove the sway bar bushings (there are two) and the sway bar will come out. Sway Bars usually do not need to be replaced unless they are bend or completely broken. It is usually end links being worn or the bushings being warn out.
How do you replace the sway bar bushings on a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer?
To replace the sway bar bushings on a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer, first, safely lift and secure the vehicle on jack stands. Remove the sway bar end links using a wrench and socket, then unbolt the sway bar from its mounting brackets on the frame. Replace the old bushings with new ones, ensuring they fit snugly, then reattach the sway bar and end links in reverse order. Finally, lower the vehicle and check for any noise or movement to ensure proper installation.
Are sway bar bushings the same as swing arm bushings?
No.
How do you replace the front sway bar bushings on a 1995 Dodge Intrepid?
When the sway bar try's to do it's job without the bushings then it will come in contact with the body of the car and will be an confortable ride that could causes more problems in the future.
When should you replace worn rear sway bar links?
When the rubber bushings have deteriated and are no longer doing their job.
How much should it cost to replace front bushings on a BMW?
I am having my strut bushings and sway bar links replaced for $330 in northern IL. NOT at the dealer. They wanted $800.
How do you replace the sway bar bushing on 1999 Mazda 626?
To replace the sway bar bushing on a 1999 Mazda 626, start by lifting the front of the vehicle and securing it with jack stands. Remove the sway bar by unbolting the brackets holding the bushings in place. Then, take off the old bushings and install new ones, ensuring they are seated properly. Reattach the sway bar with the brackets and lower the vehicle back to the ground.
What are subframe bushings and what do they do?
would it be subfram bushings that stop the car fromm swaing or sway bar bushings
How do you know if you need to replace the link bushings on a front sway bar of your 1991 Mercury Cougar LS?
get under vehicle with out jacking vehicle off the ground hold sway bar with hands try to move bar sideways if bar slides sideways in bushings, the bushings are shot not a hard job to repair
What causes the front end to squeak on a Ford Sport Trac?
change the sway bar rubber bushings and sway bar link bushings
