Car anti-roll bar bushes

How to detect failure of stabilizer bushes

First, inspect stabilizer bushes. Cracks, breakages, porosity of the material, and other visible defects are symptoms of components failure. Mount the vehicle on an inspection pit or a ramp, grasp the stabilizer bar and try to sway it. Creaking and knocking are symptoms of the need to replace the bushes.

You may notice that stabilizer bushes may need diagnostics by the following symptoms:

• during cornering, freeplay and wobbling of the steering wheel is felt;
• the vehicle pulls to one side;
• when the car body rolls, characteristic sounds are heard from the suspension;
• vibrations are felt in the passenger compartment.

The reasons of stabilizer bushes failure

Stabilizer bushes have a limited service life. On the average, it is recommended to replace them after every 30,000 kilometers of mileage. Ignoring this recommendation results in an accelerated wear of the links.

Premature failure of the bushes may be associated with failure to comply with the recommendations for their use. Components should be cleaned during every inspection: accumulated dirt has a destructive effect on the material they are made of. Besides, it is not recommended to lubricate the bushes to eliminate squeaks: first, this reduces efficiency of the elastic elements; second, the components contained in the lubricants may destroy rubber.

Stabilizer bushes may require earlier replacement also if the vehicle is used on poor quality roads or in the areas with severe climate, and is often used for the transportation of loads. Increased stresses on the components result in their cracking, and temperature changes - in deteriorated elasticity.

Sometimes failures of the elastic elements are the result of their poor quality. To make the components last as long as possible, many automakers recommend using polyurethane bushes if such possibility is envisaged by the design of the vehicle, or products with protective dust boots.

Replacing stabilizer bushes

Replacing stabilizer bushes is easy for everyone. Stick to the following algorithm:

1. Mount the vehicle on a car lift.
2. Dismantle the wheels.
3. If necessary, remove the crankcase cover to access the components.
4. Unscrew the fasteners of the links and the stabilizer, and disconnect the units.
5. Unscrew the front fasteners of the bush bracket, and loosen the rear fasteners.
6. Dismantle the components.
7. Clean the mounting seat from dirt and install new components.
8. Assemble in reverse order.