Is It Dangerous To Drive With Broken Sway Bar Link?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you suspect that a sway bar is broken, you can still drive the car,

but you must use caution

. … It will feel “looser”, particularly when driving at high speeds. It’s very possible that this will cause you to lose control of the car, resulting in a serious accident if you’re not prepared for it.

Can you drive without sway bar links?

Driving without sway bar end links

can be dangerous

because as you’ve noticed, the vehicle will not steer correctly. Sway bar end links are meant to stabilize a vehicle when turning and at high speeds. You can have your sway bar end links installed by YourMechanic for 97.00.

What happens if a sway bar link breaks while driving?

Because a sway bar helps the car’s suspension to put more pressure on loaded springs, a broken sway bar means that

the car’s suspension will not be able to handle corners as well or as quickly

. While it is possible to drive with a broken sway bar, as a precaution do not take corners with excessive speeds.

Can I drive if my sway bar is broken?

If you suspect that a sway bar is broken,

you can still drive the car

, but you must use caution. … It will feel “looser”, particularly when driving at high speeds. It’s very possible that this will cause you to lose control of the car, resulting in a serious accident if you’re not prepared for it.

What happens if you don’t fix a sway bar?

When the stabilizer bar links are starting to wear out, the symptoms can range from barely noticeable to significant, and if you don’t have your stabilizer bar links replaced, can

result in catastrophic damage to the front end of your vehicle and potentially an accident

.

How much does it cost to fix sway bar links?

The average sway bar link replacement cost is usually

between $125 to $160

including labor. The links themselves cost between $40 to $110 each, while the labor will set you back anywhere between $50 to $70.

How important is a sway bar?

The sway bar, also known as an anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar, is a

vital part of your vehicle’s suspension system and keeps it level during cornering

. … Because the sway bar itself is a torsional swing, the sway bar link smooths the motion transfer between the sway bar and the control arm.

How do I know if my sway bar is broken?

Warning signs of a broken or bad sway bar link include

clunks and squeaks

. Over-steering or excessive lean through turns are also symptoms of worn sway bar links, but they can also be signs of larger problems with your vehicle’s suspension system.

What causes a broken sway bar?


When the shocks get worn out in a vehicle, it loses balance, and tends to tilt to one side or the other

, resulting in much of the body weight of the vehicle sitting on the stabilizer bar. Therefore as the vehicle moves on a rough road, the unstable body eventually results into the bar breaking.

How long can you drive with a broken sway bar?

As long as you keep your speed down and don’t take turns too quickly, you should be

safe driving until you can have it replaced

. Note that a broken sway bar doesn’t make your car “un-driveable”.

What does removing a sway bar do?

See, the sway bar removal is generally one of the first things that Tacoma owners do. By removing it,

you remove the (literal) connection between the two front wheels, giving you more flexy-flexy on the rocks

, and better bump absorption on those washboarded roads.

Can I replace sway bar links myself?

The

answer is no

, however your mechanic may recommend replacing both sway bar links because both links usually wear at the same rate and if one is bad, the other may go soon too. There is no need to replace a sway bar link if it’s working properly and is not worn out.

Does a sway bar affect alignment?


An alignment isn’t necessary after any sway bar install

.

How often should sway bar links be replaced?

Now, when it comes to the overall lifespan of the sway bar link, it will be from

four to five years

. However, if the roads have treated the car exceptionally well and the turns were not that sharp, you can expect them to last over five years.

How long does it take to replace front sway bar links?

Bushings should take maybe

30-40 minutes

to change (in pairs) front and rear.

Do sway bars affect ride quality?


Sway bars do nothing unless the car

is leaned side to side. Your ride quality will remain the same if both sides of the suspension move at the same speed. In the corners however, the car will feel much better. Just get a front sway of any kind and you’ll enjoy the car more.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.