Sway Bar Bushings
Rubber or polyurethane mounts that secure the sway bar to the vehicle frame, allowing it to twist while dampening vibration.
Sway bar bushings (also known as stabilizer bar bushings) are small, D-shaped rubber or polyurethane mounts that secure the sway bar (anti-roll bar) to the vehicle's subframe or chassis. Their primary job is to hold the metal sway bar firmly in position under the vehicle, allowing it to twist and pivot as the suspension moves, while preventing metal-on-metal contact and isolating the cabin from road noise and vibration.
Sway bar bushings are subjected to constant twisting forces, friction, and environmental contaminants like road salt, water, and engine oil leaks. Over time, the rubber degrades, dry-rots, cracks, or wears thin, leaving a gap between the inner bushing wall and the metal sway bar.
When sway bar bushings wear out, the sway bar is allowed to shift and play inside its brackets. The most common symptom of worn bushings is a distinct, low-pitched clunking or rattling noise from under the vehicle when driving over bumps, pulling into driveways, or cornering. The vehicle may also experience slightly increased body roll or a loose, less responsive steering feel during cornering.
Replacing sway bar bushings is a relatively simple and inexpensive suspension service. The brackets are unbolted, the old split bushings are removed, and new ones are slid onto the bar. Upgrading to polyurethane bushings offers crisper handling and longer life, though they can sometimes squeak if not properly lubricated during installation.