Sway Bar Replacement Cost Estimate
Concerned about potentially overpaying for your sway bar replacement? Utilize MyMechanic to obtain a fair cost estimate for your sway bar replacement.
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How much does a sway bar replacement cost?
The average total cost for a sway bar replacement varies depending on your vehicle’s year and model.
How long does it take to replace struts?
The parts cost typically covers the purchase of a new sway bar, though it may also include expenses for additional components such as a replacement control arm, suspension coil, or ball joint. Regarding labor, a certified mechanic generally spends one to three hours inspecting your vehicle, diagnosing the issue, and completing the sway bar replacement.
How did we estimate these prices?
My Mechanic experts researched and collected data from 2500+ real repair shops in all states in Malaysia, including everything from the total cost of repair services to the hourly labor cost for mechanic labor in each shop. We combined that data with our expert database of hundreds of real repair jobs, thousands of real cars, millions of real car part prices in order to best estimate the cost of each repair service. Our labor cost estimate is calculated by taking the average hourly labor rate for a certified MyMechanic in Malaysia, times the number of hours it takes on average to complete a repair.
What parts do you need for a sway bar replacement? How much do they cost?
Your vehicle's suspension system is a sophisticated array of components engineered to mitigate driving disturbances. It prevents metal components from colliding, enhances performance, and ensures a comfortable and smooth driving experience.
As one might expect, your suspension system undergoes significant wear and tear. If your driving experience feels off, any of these suspension components could potentially be the culprit:
- The sway bar or anti-roll barA sway bar is a curved metal rod installed between a vehicle's front or rear wheels, serving to restrict the extent to which the car leans during turns. Have you noticed how you lean to the left when turning right, or vice versa? Without a sway bar, this movement would be significantly more pronounced.
- Rear ball joints : In general, car suspensions utilize control arms to link the vehicle's wheels to the frame, and steering knuckles to facilitate wheel turning. Control arms facilitate vertical movement, while steering knuckles enable lateral movement. Ball joints, characterized by their spherical shape, can accommodate both types of motion, serving as connections between the control arms and steering knuckles.
- Control arms : Control arms come in various configurations, such as an 'A', 'L', or wishbone shape, contingent upon the vehicle model. Certain vehicles utilize both upper and lower control arms. Frequently, control arms are sold with the ball joint already affixed. Over time, control arms can deteriorate due to factors like corrosion, vibration, and exposure to rough road conditions, potentially leading to breakage.
- Steering knuckles : Depending on the configuration of the wheel assembly, steering knuckles can serve to link the vehicle's wheels either to the control arms or to the ball joints. They facilitate lateral movement, enabling you to steer the car.
- Front ball joints : Similarly to rear ball joints, front ball joints are linked to the control arms and/or steering knuckles. Certain suspension setups incorporate both upper and lower ball joints for optimal performance.
Sway bars are commonly available for purchase through various online retailers, making them easily accessible for vehicle owners.
ReminderDuring a thorough examination of your vehicle's suspension system, a mechanic may identify the necessity for replacement parts such as sway bars, control arms, steering knuckles, front ball joints, or any combination thereof.
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts often come at a premium compared to aftermarket alternatives, yet they frequently come with superior warranties. However, certain aftermarket parts are designed for enhanced performance and provide excellent quality at a more affordable price point. Ultimately, factors such as your vehicle specifications, requirements, and budget will dictate whether investing in an OEM sway bar is warranted or if opting for a cost-effective aftermarket option is more suitable.
Sway bars are commonly available for purchase through various automotive retailers, including body shops, parts shops, dealerships, and online platforms. If you prefer OEM parts, you can explore your vehicle manufacturer's official website. Be sure to consult your owner's manual for specifications to ensure you select the appropriate part.
Where can I get my car's sway bar replaced?
If there’s an issue with your vehicle's suspension system, you and your passengers will likely notice it right away. Ensure your car rides smoothly with MyMechanic's reliable resource for car repairs!
MyMechanic provides fair price estimates from over 2,500 trusted auto repair shops across the nation. You can compare real hourly rates, diagnostic fees, and customer reviews, empowering you to make informed decisions with confidence.
How did we vet these shops?
My Mechanic experts researched 2500+ real repair shops across the Malaysia. We talked to real shop customers, and analyzed both real shop pricing data and thousands of real customer reviews from each shop to verify them individually.
How will a mechanic complete a sway bar replacement?
Installing a new sway bar link or sway bar is a routine mechanical service. Your mechanic will employ some basic equipment to:
- Lift and secure the vehicle on sturdy jack stands.
- Remove the vehicle's subframe, exhaust system, and any obstructing suspension components to access the sway bar.
- Detach the sway bar links from each control arm, replacing worn rubber mounts with new ones.
- Unbolt the sway bar from the vehicle's frame, replacing worn rubber bushings with new ones.
- Install the new sway bar according to factory or shop manual torque specifications.
Although the sway bar itself does not directly affect or adjust your vehicle’s alignment, it is advisable for a mechanic to verify proper vehicle alignment following any significant repairs to your car’s suspension.
Can you drive a car with a broken sway bar?
While you can still drive safely—albeit cautiously—with a sway bar issue, it is advisable to prioritize its replacement at your earliest convenience. Driving with a defective sway bar can lead to heightened vehicle lean and sway, particularly when changing lanes, especially at higher speeds. This may compromise your control over the vehicle and increase the risk of an accident.
If you find yourself unable to replace your sway bar immediately but need to drive, exercise caution by driving at reduced speeds and minimizing lane changes whenever feasible.
What is a sway bar replacement?
During this service, a mechanic will evaluate the condition of your suspension to identify whether the sway bar is the component at fault. If necessary, they will proceed to replace the sway bar.
The sway bar is a steel torsion spring attached to each side of your vehicle’s suspension on either the rear or front axle. Its primary function is to mitigate or oppose torsional forces, particularly those encountered during lane changes or cornering maneuvers.
During high-speed turns or emergency maneuvers, the sway bar plays a crucial role in preventing the body of your vehicle from swaying or rolling over as it leans to one side.
What are the symptoms of a bad sway bar?
Replacement of your sway bar becomes necessary if you observe excessive body roll during driving. A visual examination may uncover signs of corrosion, rust, or cracking along the sway bar end links. If left unaddressed, these issues can lead to complete failure of the sway bar.
A sway bar should also be replaced if it has sustained significant damage, such as from a collision or encountering road debris. If you notice an increase in sway or lean during turns, the sway bar may be the culprit.
How often do you have to replace a sway bar?
Sway bars typically have a long lifespan, and many car owners may only need to replace them once throughout their vehicle's lifetime. Generally, they can endure for 150,000 miles or more. The primary factor contributing to sway bar deterioration is often exposure to salt spray.
Can I replace a sway bar myself?
Swapping out or installing a sway bar is a moderately challenging DIY project. Luckily, there are plenty of anti-roll bar installation kits available on the market to assist you in enhancing or fixing your car’s suspension system.
You'll require a jack, jack stands, wrench set, vice grips, torque wrench, lug wrench, safety goggles, and a ratchet and sockets for the job.
FAQs
The cost of replacing a broken sway bar is justified as it plays a vital role in preserving traction during turns. Ensuring control of your vehicle, particularly around sharp curves, is paramount. Failure to replace a broken sway bar could result in sudden loss of control, jeopardizing the safety of both you and your passengers.
As a general practice, it's advisable to schedule a wheel alignment each time you service your car’s suspension. Any alteration can impact the distribution of weight on your car’s wheels and its tracking. If you replace a faulty sway bar link, stabilizer bar, control arm, or any other suspension component, remember to request an alignment from the mechanic simultaneously.
The most prevalent indicators of a faulty sway bar link or sway bar are thumping, rattling, or clunking noises emanating from beneath the vehicle. Typically, the sway bar bushings and links located underneath the vehicle are securely fitted and produce minimal noise. If a component is on the brink of dislodging, it will generate loud sounds. Conversely, if the noise suddenly ceases, it could indicate that the part has fallen out of place.
