Symptoms of a bad sway bar links
The sway bar link is a component in the suspension that connects the left and right wheel suspension through the sway bar rod. Some people call the sway bar link as stabilizer link. There are at least two functions of the sway bar link in the car.
The first is as a link between the right and left suspension through the sway bar rod. The second is as a component that ensures that the sway bar can work adequately at every angle of the wheel.
Even though it seems trivial, the sway bar link can affect the conditions during driving, especially when the car is driving fast on bumpy or uneven roads. Yes, the sway bar link greatly affects the ability of the suspension so that the car can run stably and calmly.
Well in this article, we will share information about car problems related to the symptoms of a bad sway bar link and how to find out, both physically and when we drive the car. Here are the symptoms of a bad sway bar link
I. The symptoms of a bad sway bar link from its physical appearance
The most easily known symptoms of a defective sway bar link are by looking at the physical condition of the sway bar link itself. Although the shape and types of sway bar links are very diverse, in general, the types of damage that occur are almost similar to one another. It is because the main designs of all types of sway bar links that are generally available today use rubber bushings and ball joints.
Here are the characteristics of a bad sway bar link in a car based on its physical condition:
- The sway bar link rubber is damaged, broken, brittle, or hard and stiff, resulting in obliteration in that part.
- The sway bar ball joint link has been broken and has come out of its shell.
- The sway bar link rods appear bent, rusted, or broken.
- The contact between the sway bar or the shock breaker is too loose and makes a gap between each other.
When we find the physical condition of the sway bar link as in the conditions above, it can determine that this is a symptom of a bad sway bar link. So it is necessary to replace the sway bar link part with a new one.
Read also:II. The symptoms of a bad sway bar link feels while driving.
Apart from seeing the symptoms of a bad sway bar link physically, we can also identify a bad sway bar link while driving. Below are two general conditions will found while driving with a bad sway bar link:
1. Metal to metal clashing noises under the car
The first symptoms of a bad sway bar link while driving is metal to metal clashing noises under the car. Some people will hear the noise like clunking, creaking or rattling.
The noise that appears is generally heard on the front right and left side of the car. Sometimes alternating, sometimes simultaneously. Generally, the sound will be louder when the car is moving slowly and crossing uneven roads.
2. The car movement becomes uncomfortable and unstable
If the sway bar link is damaged too badly (such as the ball joint breaks apart from the sway bar link). It will greatly affect the movements of the car's suspension, both when driving on uneven roads and when turning.
Yes, the conditions as exemplified resulted in the sway bar link rods no longer binding the right and left wheel suspension. It makes the shocks on the suspension on each wheel would be more significant and out of control. As a result, the car will feel unsteady or drift when driving around corners and bad roads.
Therefore, to avoid more losses due to a broken sway bar link as I mentioned before, it's a good idea to check and replace it with a new part.