[Si]

Hi,

Whats a good indication that the sway bar is going? I Noticed when I turn sharp corners and go over a bump the car will wobble side to side a bit.. So I came to the conculsion thats it my stabilizer/sway bar.. I had the car on the stands yesterday and it looks like a simple job..

Cheers

 

[Mopar4U]

Are you talking about replacing the stabilizer bar bushings, the stabilizer bar links, or the stabilizer bar itself?

 

[Si]

Thats what I have to diagnose really Mopar4u, I am trying to find out exactly what I need to replace

Cheers

 

[Mopar4U]

I know the factory sway bar links are junk on these cars. I've had to have 1 of mine replaced (the bushings wear out). If you replace a link (I think you can do it yourself) make sure you buy links that have a grease nipple.

Whatever it is, take pictures if possible if you do it yourself becasue I think I am going to do some work on my sway bar junk.

i said "nipple"

 

[jnutz]

I know this may sound elementary, but have you checked tire pressure lately. Also how are your tie rods. Or were you the one who replaced those a month ago. As for the sway bar, the only reason that would need to be repalced is if you cracked it . Accident? I have not seen one cracked in all my years of working on cars. For the links if you casn get any movement side to side in them replace them. The sway bar bushings could need replacement but i would start with the links. The rears I believe are the only ones you can get with a grease zerk, fitting, or, if you prefer, nipple.

 

[Mopar4U]

My front stabilizer link that I had replaced has a NIPPLE. I grease it every oil change.

i said it again

 

[matt22tec]

Hey Si, I would check your sway bar links too. Move them from side to side like jnutz said. You can also take a pry bar on the sway bar to see if there is any movement in the sway bar links. Usually the sway bar bushing don't go bad unless they are really aged. It is a good idea to lube them with spray silicon every time you change oil. I would also check you tie rod ends for movement and your actual rack and pinion mounts. I have see the rack and pinion gear loose and that will give you the wobble feeling too. If you do need sway bar links I would recommend Moog brand, they come with grease nipples. Oops, did I say nipple???? Matt 97 3.5 ES

 

[Si]

Gentlemen, Thanks for the replies,

I just got finished all my chaws (Wife left for 3 days, got a huge list to do ) anyway its rather dark out so I cant really see, Ill try the crow-bar trick... And yep, I am the tie-rod guy The bearings wouldnt have anything to do with it would they? I mean I have to change the front passanger side one, it makes a dronning noise..

I am going to check the rear to for grease Nipples (I said it to, getting hot and sweaty ) and I`ll inject some grease into there..

I am just building my confidence up with this lark, I am used to striping Crotch rockets not cars

Again, thanks for the info, I`ll try it all tommorow hopefully

[ August 21, 2001: Message edited by: Si ]

 

[matt22tec]

Hey Si, wheel bearings can cause a wobble feeling too if they are really worn. Raise your car and put your hands at 12 and 6 o'clock, try to move the tire up and down, you should have no play. If you do you might want to check where the movement is. Most likely your wheel bearings. I just today replaced wheel bearings in a Ford Aspire (sports car) and the wheel was about to fall off!!! It handled worse than a Suzuki Samuri!!!!! The wheel bearings are easy to replace on the Intrepid. I haven't done any on my own though. Matt 97 3.5 ES

 

[Si]

Sounds serious stuff there with your Ford! Ill give that a go tonight hopefully, I will be looking for the nipples (Ooo yeah) and that bearing check.. I hope it is that, really do!

Cheers for the advice matt22tec, appreciatted.

 

[Longs]

I had to change sway bar links on my '96 at less than 60k. Pretty easy job. There was a definite difference in "tightness" between the set I removed and the replacements.

 

[Veeb0rg]

Originally posted by Mopar4U:
I know the factory sway bar links are junk on these cars. I've had to have 1 of mine replaced (the bushings wear out). If you replace a link (I think you can do it yourself) make sure you buy links that have a grease nipple.

Whatever it is, take pictures if possible if you do it yourself becasue I think I am going to do some work on my sway bar junk.

i said "nipple"

everytime i go over a bump.. the car "clunks" could this be swaybar stuff?
my buddies neon is startin to do it as well.. anyideas?

 

[red rash]

I actually bought those sway bar end links last night with the intention of putting them on this morning. My 94 Es makes this nasty noise from the front end when I go over rough roads. I'm takin a shot that this will cure the problem. I grab the bar last night and gave it a good tug and it seemed to have some give to it. I'll let you know how it goes. I bought the Federal Mogal's for 76 bucks for both sides.

 

[Aggressor]

everytime i go over a bump.. the car "clunks" could this be swaybar stuff?
my buddies neon is startin to do it as well.. anyideas?

Sounds like you have something else wrong. Could be a bad strut, or even a transmission/motor mount. Can you determine which side it is coming from?

 

[Veeb0rg]

Originally posted by Aggressor:
Sounds like you have something else wrong. Could be a bad strut, or even a transmission/motor mount. Can you determine which side it is coming from?

definately pass. side..

 

[Lafrad]

my sway bar links 'rattle' when I go over bumps. I replaced one.. made half the 'rattleing' go away.. but I have yet to replace the other side

 

[silver ghost]

Noise over bumps on most late model mopars tend to be from the strut mount up top. There's a bearing up there that wears out and opens some play up, when you go over bumps, the gap opens then slams shut. Remember how heavy these things are, that bearing takes a hell of a beating! If it is that, do yourself a favor, GET A MOPAR PART!! Don't get aftermaket if at all possible. I had an incident with a Vision where the aftermarket mounts were noisier than the beat up factory ones I replaced!!

 

[Si]

Cheers Silver!!! Thanks everyone for thier input, I am gonna look into it more when I have the time

 

[Mopar4U]

I thought if a strut mount is worn you get a creaking sound, like an old rocking chair. All that I know is that when my sway bar link was bad, it made a definate clunking noise over every bump. For the price, I would start here if you have clunking, not to mention if you still have the factory ones that don't clunk, it wouldn't hurt to replace them.

 

[brun064]

My car made clunking grinding sounds when ever I hit a bump. Turns out the sway bar link broke right where it connects to the sway bar and the sway bar was grinding against the link. It also made a really annoying squeaking.