Sway Bar Bushing

What sway bar bushings do

The sway bar, or stabilizer bar, links the left and right sides of the suspension so the body leans less in corners. It is held to the chassis by rubber or polyurethane bushings that let the bar twist while keeping it in place. When those bushings harden, crack or wear out, the bar can shift or knock against its brackets, causing clunks over bumps and a looser, vaguer feel in turns.

Signs of wear

• A rattle or knock over small bumps or when turning.
• Visible cracks, splits or shiny, worn surfaces on the bushing.
• The bar sliding side to side in its mounts.
• A creak or squeak, especially when cold.

Rubber or polyurethane

Original bushings are typically rubber, which is quiet and flexible. Polyurethane is stiffer, resists cracking and oil, and holds the bar more tightly, which many drivers prefer for firmer handling and longer life. The tradeoff is that polyurethane can squeak if it is not lubricated, and a firmer bushing transmits slightly more noise. Many sets come with a lubricant, and it should be applied to the inside of the bushing and not the outside.

Sizing and fit

Bushings are sized by the bar's diameter and by the bracket style. The sets in this category are numbered by application and, for example, Energy Suspension part numbers refer to specific bar diameters and mounting types. Measure your sway bar diameter with calipers, check whether you need front or rear bushings and whether the bushings are split-style or wraparound, and compare the part number with the manufacturer's specifications. Confirm fitment for your year, make and model.

Installation notes

Support the vehicle safely on jack stands, unbolt the brackets and slide out the old bushings. Clean the bar, grease the new bushings as directed, and reinstall brackets, tightening to specification with the suspension at normal ride height where required. On lifted vehicles, also check the sway bar links and end bushings. If you have any doubt about suspension work, ask a professional mechanic.

Sway bar performance depends on more than the bushings. Check the end links, their bushings and the mounting brackets at the same time, because worn links cause very similar noises. On lifted vehicles, the sway bar may sit at an angle or have limited droop, and some off-roaders disconnect the bar for more axle articulation on the trail. If you disconnect it, secure the bar so that it cannot swing, and reconnect it before driving at highway speed because the bar controls body lean.

Choose bushing hardness according to how the vehicle is used. A softer durometer rubber-like compound keeps the ride quiet and comfortable, while a firmer one sharpens response but adds noise. Many drivers choose a mid-range polyurethane for a balance of both. Keep the bushing lubricated with the grease supplied or a silicone-based product, and avoid petroleum grease that can attack rubber. If squeaks return, remove the bushing and re-grease it, then check the bracket bolts for correct torque, since a loose bracket allows movement that wears through new bushings quickly.