To ensure a vehicle is safe to drive on the road, a number of parts play an important role in keeping it going. In a car suspension system, the sway bar is one of the most critical parts related to safety. A vehicle’s chassis can be made from steel or aluminum, but even steel frame cars have a functional front sway bar that will help keep them from rolling over in an accident. Learn how much does it cost to replace a sway bar.
Replacing the sway bar will cost around $150 to $200, depending on the car model and whether its front or rear sway bar has failed. This is a straightforward replacement procedure that costs less than one hour of labor time at an auto repair shop with most cars.
Most people only really notice their car’s sway bars are bad when the car starts to sway too much. However, if the sway bar or its mountings are damaged, it can affect other parts of the suspension system and lead to even higher costs down the road. Replacing a sway bar before it gets worse can save drivers from having to pay for more expensive repairs in the future but not to worry as we have provided all you should know on sway bar cost replacement below.
Sway Bar vs Stabilizer Bar: What’s the Difference Between Them?
A sway bar isn’t the same as a stabilizer bar. Let us explain what they are before you change your sway bar.
A sway bar (also known as an anti-roll bar) is attached to both ends of the control arm, which is where your wheel axle is located. The sway bar links two parts of the suspension system together, transferring force from one side to another to prevent these parts from hitting each other while driving on uneven surfaces.
If a car experiences too much oscillation in its suspension, this is an indicator that something is wrong with the sway bar. If this happens, it’s important to have the sway bar replaced as soon as possible.
A stabilizer bar is attached to the strut and helps only when the suspension travels in an up and down movement, like when you go over a bump or dip in the road. The stabilizer bar resists this movement and helps to keep the wheel traveling straight. The stabilizers are higher strength parts than sway bars because they have to resist much stronger forces.
In short, pulling on the sway bar will make it flex. Pulling on a stabilizer bar will not cause it to flex, because the suspension is only moving up and down at that point.
How Long Do Sway Bar Links Last?
They have to be replaced overtime when it comes to swaying bar links. Depending on the car model there are numerous different types of sway bar link designs available and generally speaking, will last around 80,000 to 120,000 miles.
However, there are a number of factors that can affect the wear and tear of sway bars links. Some examples include whether or not the car is used in off-roading, how it’s driven on roads (i.e. lots of fast turning or high-speed bumps), and which part of the world the vehicle was built for (i.e. if it tends to be wetter), etc.
Average Sway Bar Replacement Cost
Replacing the sway bar links on average will cost around $100 for parts and an additional $25 for labor. This is a straightforward replacement procedure that can be carried out by an auto repair shop within one hour of work time, depending on the car model and availability.
However, if the sway bar link or its mountings are damaged, it can affect other parts of the suspension system and lead to even higher costs down the road. Replacing a sway bar before it gets worse can save drivers from having to pay for more expensive repairs in the future.
The cost of replacement sway bars will vary depending on which car model you have as well as whether you need front or rear replacement bars. Front bars tend to cost between $150 to $200 while rear ones can be bought from around $100 up to $200.
When installing new front and rear sway bars you’ll need several items such as grease, an impact wrench and a socket set among others that only cost a few bucks in total.
4 Common Symptoms of a Bad Sway Bar
Most drivers will notice that their car starts swaying more than usual when its sway bar links are bad, like if they hear clunking or squeaking sounds coming from their suspension system or find that other parts have started wearing down sooner than normal; however, keep in mind that every car model is different with its own unique needs and these factors may not apply to your particular situation at hand.
Here are the four most common symptoms of a bad sway bar:
1.) Strange Noises
Odd sounds coming from the suspension system that you haven’t heard before can indicate that your sway bar is in bad shape and needs to be replaced.
2.) Trouble When Taking Turns
When making sharp turns the sway bar can begin to twist and pop as it struggles with the weight of your car pulling in one direction.
3.) Car Swerves
If your car starts to swerve when you’re driving it can be a sign that one of your sway bar links is going bad and needs immediate attention.
4.) Visibly Worn Out
Taking a look under your car and seeing that the links (sometimes known as links or bushings) in your sway bar look visibly worn out can be a sign that it will need to be replaced.
Don’t wait for your sway bar links to completely wear out, especially if you take your car on long road trips or use it frequently for commuting back and forth to work. Waiting until the sway bar is completely worn out can lead to suspension problems that will cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars to repair.
What Is Done During Sway Bar Replacement?
When replacing the sway bar links on a car, the first thing that needs to be done is for an auto repair shop technician to put the vehicle up on a lift and make sure there’s enough clearance underneath it. If the lower control arm (which is attached to both front and rear sway bars) needs to be removed, this will require taking out other suspension components as well such as the springs or coils depending on which part of the country you live in. Once everything has been taken care of, then they can proceed with removing the sway bar link from underneath your vehicle.
Once the old sway bar link has been removed from the car, a new one can be put in its place and attached to several other suspension system parts so that it will fit properly. In order to get the most out of your sway bars links, you should have them changed at least once every five years, or 60,000 miles on average.
Conclusion
So, in conclusion, a sway bar link is a metal or rubber connecting rod that can be found in several suspension systems. It works with other suspension components to help absorb energy from sudden turning movements and protect the car from damage.
When these links wear out prematurely, they can affect other parts of the vehicle such as struts, springs, or coils which will lead to higher repair costs down the road. Replacing a sway bar before it gets bad can save drivers from having to pay for expensive repairs later on. On average it should cost you a total of $100-$200 for a sway bar replacement job.
Now that we’ve gone through all this information, hopefully, you have a better understanding of how much it will cost to replace a sway bar on your car.
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