A sway bar is a suspension device in the automobiles. It usually connects the opposite wheels together with short lower arms, which are linked together with the help of a torsion spring. A sway bar is helpful in increasing the suspension’s roll stiffness, resistance for rolling and the spring rate in vertical direction. This means that if in the future the sway bar stops functioning properly, then you will have to replace the sway bar. Know here more about how to replace sway bar.
A sway bar has a torsion spring, which is able to resist all the bodily motions in rolling format. This bar is always constructed in U-shape steel, which connects the body at two different points, at the right and left side of the suspensions. If the right and left side of the wheels start moving together, the bar will simply start rotating at the mounting points without bending. If the wheels start moving relatively to each other, then the bar will be subjected to torsion that will force it to twist.
There are two main functions of sway bar. The first is reducing the body lean and this is entirely dependent on the total roll stiffness of the vehicle. The second function of the sway bar is to tune the balancing handle of the car. This can be done by tuning the behavior of the changing proportion of the entire stiffness of the front axles. However, in spite of these functions there are a few drawbacks as well. If the vehicle is been driven on a broken or a rough pavement, then the anti roll bars will increase the jarring and this will increase the stiffness of the sway bars. The sway bar bushings are the most important thing in sway, if they start wearing down, then you will loosen the control on steering and your car will make clucking noise on the front.
When this happens it is best to replace the sway bar. Here are some simple steps about replacing sway bar and sway bar bushing.
Things Required:
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Wheel chock
- Creeper
- Safety glasses
- ½ inch drive ratchet
- ½ inch drive socket set
- Replacement bushings
- Medium pry bar
- Box end wrench set
Steps:
- The first step for replacing the sway bar bushing will be parking the vehicle in a paved level place. Apply the parking brakes of your vehicle and then you can release the hood latch. Keep the wheel chock at the back of the rear tire and then you can open the hood of your vehicle. This will let some light on the engine when you are working underneath it.
- Now in the next step for replacing the sway bar you will have to lift the front quarter side of your vehicle with the help of a floor jack and then secure the vehicle with jack stands in a secured and safe location. The ideal thing for this will be the front frame rail. Remember to repeat this step for the right side front quarter for elevating the front axle.
- Now put on your safety glasses, take the tools, replacement sway bar and bushing and the crawl and creeper in the front side of your vehicle.
- Now try to find the sway bar and the sway bar bushings. The bushings will be located at the back of the front tire, where it will be mounted on the undercarriage of the car. In most of the cars, it will be necessary to take out the heat shield, brackets or anything else to gain access to the sway bar brackets for removing them. If this is the situation with your car as well, then you will have to remove all things that are blocking your way. The sway bar brackets will be mounted with two bolts on either side. These bolts will be placed with a nut or fixed on a threaded hole inside the undercarriage. Now, for replacing the sway bar start taking out the bolts with a ratchet, hand wrench and socket.
- Now very carefully start sliding out the old bushing from the sway bar to place where it is easy for to extract the sway bar. Now start prying the slotted opening from the bushing with the help of a pry bar to remove it off the sway bar. The sway bar bushings will be made of steel with rubber coating so they will not come off easily. Now remove the sway bar after removing the bushing and replace the sway bar along with the bushing. Always remember when you replace the new bushings that they will need more time to go in as they are new.
- You are now done with replacing the sway bar and bushing, so position them back to their original location and attach the brackets once again. Tighten this with a ratchet, hand wrench and socket as required.
- Start replacing all the components that you have removed till now. Gather all the tools and debris from beneath the vehicle and crawl yourself out. Now, lower your vehicle, close the hood and take out the wheel chock.
Tips and Warnings for replacing sway bar:
- If you have some trouble in taking out the nut, which holds the sway bar, then you can put some penetrating oil and then try taking out the nuts.
- Always keep the tools, like tools required for removing the sway bar, nearby so that you can have quick access to all the things required.
- If you are not sure of how to replace sway bar, then you must take your car to the professionals.
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