Sway Bar Bushings Lose?

Trying to track down a front end problem. It's not rack and pinion bushings, not inner/outer tie rod ends. Looks like my Sway Bar has shifted side to side a bit and the main bushings are worn, plus the links on the ends have rubbing that is falling apart. Sound like that could cause poor tracking while driving? Steering seems to be "jumpy". Feels like it did when ball joints were bad, but they're good. Guess I'll change out these bushings anyway, but did want to see if that could cause these symptoms. thanks

 

it can definitely have that effect especially if the bushings are shot. are you gonna replace the end links as well?

 

The OEM bushings are made of rubber and rubber will harden or become brittle over time thus making your sway bar loose. Replace them with the polyurethane ones and you'll be golden. I would replace the tie rod ends as well as the steering rack bushings as well. It's just a matter of time before that rot away too.

 

Had my worn mud tires rotated today. The tire shop said the tires were cupped and prolly 90% of the problem. They said the sway bar links are more responsible for body roll than any steering issues.
After they rotated the tires it is much better. i won't replace anything just yet. Thanks for the replies anyway.

 

By the by, I have already replaced the rack bushings. and one side of the outer tie rod end. These bushings will be next, just not until I get new tires.

 

Instead of creating a new thread, I thought I would ask in here.

Trying to find a link to show where the sway bar brushing are. Maybe I over look it some where. I need to replace mine..
Thanks!!
Might be a dumb question...

 

nah....not a dumb question.

look at where the front shock bottom mount is.....you'll see the end link and a bar thats curved running your truck to the other side......thats the sway bar....and the bushings will be under the truck...bolted to the frame. they will be sorta u-shaped and split in the middle.

 

Thanks man.
I was looking at the Wheels Anti-sway kit. I was reading some old thread and saw where you replaced yours like a year back.
Im having some body roll in curves and over bumps and such. Planning to do a complete suspension overall (springs, front and back shocks). But im sure the stock bushings are wore out also. This is a little cheaper as I save for the overhaul

 

definitely man.....and the new poly bushings are way better than the stock rubber junk.

 

i have a 1996 tacoma and on the right frunt side.my tire has a bad whobble and i have a new outer tirode on and sway bar link on.but just on that side and it still whobbles.what can it be?

 

Need to replace my sway bar bushings (the small ones that connect near the control arm, but also gonna do the bigger ones near the rack/pinion), are you guys doing the "energy" ones, or...? Links?

Also, what about doing something like this:

$34 MOOG K90677 Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link for Toyota 4Runner

https://www.amazon.com/Moog-K90677-...rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=2MRT1JP5DTJ96QVYYNRC?

 

I was just going to say that you should disconnect the swaybar before anything else. The mechanic is correct, the swaybar doesn't really do anything except keep your body from rolling over in corners (I actually took mine off when I put Kings on...). Disconnect the bars from the lower control arms (bungee them out of the way) and I bet the problem is still there.

You say all your TREs, bushings etc are "fine" but how do you know that? They can be brand new but installed improperly...

Now that your tires are rotated and the problem got better, how's your alignment?

 

Good advice, but do you realize that the post you quoted was posted over eight years ago. The post directly above yours is new, everything else is ancient history.

 

While quoting someone is a great way to notify that person you are responding to them, it's also a good way to show others (future readers) the context of your post.

but no, I didn't see the date of the post...

 

Okay @Gyrkin, here I'll respond to the recent post, too...

Those are probably (?) fine, but I just have serious reservations about buying car parts from an online book dealer. I don't know how many times I've been lurking around looking at random parts on Amazon, and it tells me it'll fit my truck, but I know for a fact it doesn't.

Just get them from rockauto.com...

I just took my sway bar off, lol, but yeah the energy suspension poly bushings are usually pretty good. I have those in my lower control arms.

 

Since this thread has been revived for the time being, question... I had my cv axle replaced last week (throwing grease) and my mechanic also replaced the stabilizer bar link, driver side only on both. Should I replace the passenger side stabilizer bar link now as well? I don't like the idea of having mismatched parts. Well, except the cv axle.... gonna ride it into the sunset. Oh, and should i go ahead and replace the sway bar bushings now too? Any advice appreciated!

 

nah, you're fine.

Those links usually don't "wear out" like bushings or shocks. It was replaced likely because it was damaged or the boot was torn.

I've got a couple if you want them, though. I just took my whole sway bar off...

 

After I broke one of the sway bar links in my 1998, I had a lot of roll on the interstate whenever I went across dips in the road at any speed faster than around 60 mph. Replacing the link cured the problem.

A couple years later I broke the link on the other side, and had the same results, and the same fix.

The last thing I need is loss of stability at interstate speeds of 80 mph. I would seriously question anything that mechanic has to say about suspension.

 

I assume the link needs to be removed to replace the cv axle? He may have boogered it up removing it. He didn't recommend replacing the other side, he just said in his experience the links usually come in a pairs. I'm going to let it ride with the old one. Thanks for the info!!

 

Thanks, but I don't like rockauto, terrible customer service. I'll shop around some more I guess, or just pay a little extra and get'em from ORW.

@royceferris - Just disconnect the sway bar from the lower control arm and the lower ball joint, in order to get the cv out.