How To Diagnose Sway Bar Noises - Sway Bar Links, Bushings, & Wear

►Front and rear sway bars are a common source of noises on any vehicle. They're a fairly simple component that can only fail in a few ways. Over the years and miles, the sway bar can wear down and begin to rust, the bushings can crack, compress, and fall apart, and the ball joints in the end links can develop play.

In this video, Gareth Foley walks us through the diagnostic process on two very different vehicles - a BMW E46 M3 and a Volvo XC90.

Common signs that you need to inspect your sway bars:
-Clunks when entering driveways or at slow speed over uneven roads
-Loose, imprecise handling
-Clicks, pops, or squeaks over smaller bumps at all speeds

Signs your sway bar, bushings, or end links have failed:
-Rusted, rotted, or pitted sway bar around the bushing
-Visually worn rubber bushings, often pushing out from the bushing bracket
-Play in the end link ball joints, or damage to the end link itself

While this video covers how to diagnose the issue, search our channel for specific vehicle to see if we have a DIY on how to replace your sway bar components. And if we don't, be sure to recommend it in the comments below!

00:00 - Intro
01:20 - In-Car Driving Overview
02:25 - On the Lift Overview
02:55 - How to Diagnose a Worn Sway Bar
09:57 - Wrap-up

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[commentator.]

Wow I guess I haven’t watched an FCP video in awhile. Whatever you’re doing to lose weight is really working. Congrats!

[joelnrs]

Gareth, your commentary and approach have been so helpful over the years in repairing my vehicle. Please keep your videos coming!

[garyvanremortel]

The camera work is exemplary, but really needs better lighting. Hopefully that can be remedied in the future. You guys are the best.

[SteinOnkel]

Very helpful video! I'm restoring an E30 and thought about repainting the front sway bar. Diameter is supposed to be 20mm, it's actually 17mm. So in the trash it goes after watching this.

[bamwa]

your footage @7:50 is awesome!!! GREAT JOB! I wish I had that view to assess my components.

[ryzeneu]

Wow Gareth looks so good! Well done buddy

[kent]

Mate. I hope you are healthy. If yes, congrats on the weight loss. I myself lost 65 lbs and I now run ultramarathons!!!

[duriarte]

Dude your a new looking man. Glad to see you making vids again. Watched your MB C300 vids.

[markokruc]

No need to replace the sway bar on that M3. Just use new rubber bushings from the regular non-M E46 with 23mm inner diameter. Grease them well and they will fit snugly.

[jonowen]

Gareth, great video and btw you look terrific! Congratulations!!

[oldjarhead]

Another good video, Gareth. I always enjoy your explanations. Greetings from that Old Jarhead in WNC

[mohammadhayatca]

Gareth thanks awesome... can you please do a follow up on X5 E70 front suspension, bushing, sway bars, thank u

[bossman]

When I bounce the front of my car there is a annoying creaking noise. Checked and noticed it's coming from the sway bar bushings. To make sure I sprayed lithium grease on them and noticed the noise stopped temporarily. Thought it was my shocks on my 5 year old car. Should I check the torque on the bolts? Or take them out and lubricate them? Hard to believe in just 5 years they are going bad already.

[michaell.]

IS that the original? Taking 20yrs and 190k miles to wear away 2mm... Not bad 😯

[Spidepig]

I have a noise i simply cant find (and 3 different mechanics too) on my w211 e350 4 matic. When i turn right, my front left wheel pops, and when i turn left, my front right wheel pops. It doesn’t always do it, but it does it more on sharper turns, or turns over bumps. Any idea? Im getting desperate. Ive replaced struts, ball joints, links, and one inner tie rod on left side.

[renarstv]

Hey, i also have xc90 but why my sway bar is rubbing against subframe on passenger side?nothing more !

[willjr]

This explains a lot to my Volvo suspension noise. I have changed mostly everything in my 15 year old S60 except the sway bar. I get a knocking noise with wheels at full turn going up or down a driveway or parking lot entrance. It is more of an annoyance and outside of my DIY skills. Would this ruin my alignment or my tire tread prematurely?

[etonthompson]

The XC90 also needs control arm bushings.

[arkrainflood]

what would cause a felt (but no noise) soft clunk when coming to a stop? 2010 audi a5. no other symptoms.

[JSFGuy]

Rockin' and a knocking. Let's check it out.