Stabilizer links (also referred to as sway bars, anti-sway bars, or anti-roll bars) are components of a vehicle’s suspension system designed to reduce body roll and improve handling. By connecting the left and right sides of the suspension together, front stabilizer links help to prevent excessive lean when cornering and can provide a flat ride even on rough surfaces. Rear stabilizer links, on the other hand, keep the vehicle stable as you drive. While vehicles with a multi-link or McPherson strut suspension system are considered independent suspension for a smoother ride, they need to be linked together for better handling and control. They also improve steering response and reduce tire wear due to their ability to keep all four tires firmly on the ground.
Stabilizer links are an important part of any suspension system because they significantly improve both the comfort and performance of a vehicle, but they can wear out and break. Naturally, that leads to handling issues and noises.
In this article, we’ll discuss the common reasons why stabilizer links break, how you can identify a broken link, and ways you can help prevent them from getting damaged.
Common causes of stabilizer link breakage
Stabiliser links are a short rod that joins the end of the stabilizer bar to a mounting point on the control arm or shock absorber. For some, a ball and socket on either end allow for movement while increasing side-to-side stability by making the chassis more rigid. Others are mounted with a studs and nuts, insulated by bushings. These small links are a weaker spot in the suspension than the stabilizer bar, control arms, ball joints, and other components, and they’re likely to wear out or break before other parts.
Causes of a broken stabilizer link can include:
- Wear and tear. Tens of thousands of miles of driving with the small ball and socket at either end moving constantly inevitably wears down. The socket becomes loose and there’s excessive movement, and the link can actually come apart. In some instances, the boot can crack or tear, letting sand and dirt into the joint and the grease to escape, and it causes damage quickly. Symptoms usually show up before it separates, although it can break without regular inspection and lubrication. In certain types of links, the bushings on either end can squish or crack, creating excessive play.
- Road damage. Driving over rough surfaces or speed bumps, or impact with a curb or another object on the road, can stress the stabilizer link. It’s possible for the ball to separate from the socket from a hard impact or for the rod to break or a weld to fail. On banana-style links, the rubber bushings can tear or the studs can break.
- Overloading. Filling a vehicle with more cargo than it’s rated to carry or towing a trailer that exceeds the vehicle’s rating places undue stress on stabilizer links. Especially when cornering, more weight transitions to the outside wheel and the stabilizer link is expected to bear an excessive weight load. Stabilizer links can separate, bend, or snap.
- Corrosion. Positioned at the wheels and constantly exposed to harsh conditions and road materials, stabilizer links can rust or corrode over time. The corrosion weakens the structure’s strength, inviting damage or breakage.
Signs of a broken stabilizer link
A broken or damaged stabilizer link on your car can be a potentially dangerous situation, leading to impaired handling and increased body roll. The key to maintaining your vehicle’s safety is being aware of the signs and symptoms of a problem with the stabilizer link so that you can act quickly and seek professional help if necessary.
The first symptom you may notice when a stabilizer link has broken or been damaged is a rattle or clunk when you drive over rough, uneven surfaces or bumps. Extra play in the small ball joints on either end causes the noise as it moves. A separated link can also cause even more noise if it’s contacting other components as you drive. It’s very noticeable in vehicles with banana stabilizer links.
Another symptom is excessive body roll when turning corners or taking sharp turns. This is due to the fact that the stabilizer links are designed to help reduce body motion, so without them present you will start to feel much less stability when cornering. Additionally, there may also be an increase in noise coming from other suspension system components as the extra force applied by the unbalanced links puts additional strain on other parts of your suspension.
For links in the rear suspension, you might be able to notice a floating feeling, like the rear suspension is operating separately from the rest of the vehicle.
Another sign that you need to look out for is uneven tire wear. This can occur if the altered weight distribution caused by damaged or missing stabilizer links causes your tires to bear more weight than they should be. Uneven tire wear usually appears as cupping on your tires and should not be ignored as it can lead to further problems down the line.
If you’re noticing any of these problems with your car, then it’s important that you take action immediately and have it checked out by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. A broken or damaged stabilizer link can lead to impaired handling issues if left untreated.
Preventing stabilizer link breakage
The first thing to keep in mind to prevent damage to stabilizer links is regular maintenance checks on the suspension. Bushings, such as stabilizer bar bushings and control arm bushings, act as cushions between metal components in your vehicle’s suspension system. When these bushings wear out due to age or stress, it can increase the strain on stabilizer links, causing play or breakage. It’s important to have bushings checked regularly for signs of wear and tear so they can be quickly replaced when needed. If stabilizer links are greasable, lubricate them during every maintenance check.
Another factor to consider is avoiding large loads being applied to the suspension. This means both passengers or cargo in your vehicle as well as anything attached externally like a trailer or roof rack. Any additional weight put on these links will cause them strain over time which can eventually lead to breakage if left unchecked. It’s best to try to avoid carrying large amounts of weight when possible and check that you stay within your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Driving mindfully can prevent many of the issues you can experience with your suspension including broken stabilizer links. Reduce the risk of breakage or wear by avoiding rough roads and potholes when you’re able, and slow down over speed bumps.
Finally, proper installation of new parts is also key when preventing link breakage. If you’re replacing or repairing any part of your suspension system yourself, make sure you follow all instructions carefully and take extra care when attaching new parts. Loose or improperly installed components as well as neglecting to have a wheel alignment performed can contribute to wear on links.
Conclusion
While simple in design, stabilizer links are an incredibly important component of your suspension system that ensures dependable handling. They’re susceptible to wear and tear, and they’re a weak spot in your suspension to help avoid damage to other even more important and expensive parts. You’ll often notice signs that stabilizer links are about to fail, and they should not be overlooked. At the first sign of a problem, replace worn-out or damaged links.
Preventing issues with stabilizer links and other suspension parts can be aided by routine vehicle inspections. If you come across a broken or loose link, it’s more than just getting rid of the annoying noise it causes. It’s about health and safety by maintaining these parts.
At TRODO, you’ll have all of the parts you need for most vehicle makes and models at your fingertips. Find stabilizer links, suspension components, and much more with fast processing and delivery to your door. We’ll confirm you have the right parts for the job – our in-house experts check all ordered parts to ensure they’re compatible with your vehicle, and at no charge to you.
