Your sway bar is a pretty important part of your car’s suspension and steering. It helps prevent the body rolling and keeps you planted during cornering. It makes your ride a lot more comfortable and stops you feeling like you’re going to fall out the door when you turn into a street. 

What is a sway bar? 

It’s a metal rod that bolts to opposing sides of the vehicle, usually very close to the wheels. It has bushes where it bolts to the chassis to stop chattering and to smooth it out. It stops different sides of the car moving independently of each other. Especially valuable, if fitted to the front shock absorbers or control arms.

Why do you need a sway bar?

Your sway bar is critical in keeping your car planted around corners. It helps with handling, comfort, steering and safety. It’s a really important thing to have and one that you want performing its job properly.

How to tell if you need a new sway bar

If you find that your car suddenly feels jerky when cornering or is really leaning over, that could mean you need a new sway bar. Other signals are that you can hear a thumping as you corner, which usually indicates the bushing has failed.

What’s involved in getting a sway bar replaced?

The vehicle is hoisted up and the sway bar is located. The end links are unbolted and the bushes removed. The sway bar mounts are unbolted next and their bushings removed. The new sway bar is replaced in the same position as the old one and all bushes and bolts are fitted. The car is then lowered and if any adjustments to the alignment were made, a wheel alignment will be performed.

How much does a sway bar replacement cost near Ashburton?

For a reasonably easy, cheap job, expect the prices to be around $220. If the sway bar is a bit more expensive, then prices can climb to over $500+ especially if your car is a performance model.

How often do I need a sway bar replaced?

Typically just the bushes will need replacing, the sway bar will only be replaced if something has broken it. 

Is a broken sway bar unsafe?

It can be if it affects your turning and cornering. The last thing you want is your car sliding into a ditch because your sway bar failed. If there’s a problem then you should get it fixed as soon as possible.

You can find a mechanic near Ashburton with My Auto Shop