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The Daily Insight

Can I drive with a broken rear sway bar link

Author

David Edwards

Updated on May 09, 2026

If you suspect that a sway bar is broken, you can still drive the car, but you must use caution. … It will feel “looser”, particularly when driving at high speeds. It’s very possible that this will cause you to lose control of the car, resulting in a serious accident if you’re not prepared for it.

What happens if a sway bar link breaks while driving?

Because a sway bar helps the car’s suspension to put more pressure on loaded springs, a broken sway bar means that the car’s suspension will not be able to handle corners as well or as quickly. While it is possible to drive with a broken sway bar, as a precaution do not take corners with excessive speeds.

Can you drive without rear end links?

Yes, you can drive it, it’s not life threatening, just don’t push it on handling because the car is not going to handle as well as it should with the sway bar not resisting the weight transfer/body roll on cornering.

Can I drive my car without a sway bar link?

Hello. Driving without sway bar end links can be dangerous because as you’ve noticed, the vehicle will not steer correctly. Sway bar end links are meant to stabilize a vehicle when turning and at high speeds. You can have your sway bar end links installed by YourMechanic for 97.00.

How much does it cost to replace rear sway bar links?

The average sway bar link replacement cost is usually between $125 to $160 including labor. The links themselves cost between $40 to $110 each, while the labor will set you back anywhere between $50 to $70.

Can you drive with a broken sway bar bracket?

Originally Answered: Can you drive with a broken sway bar link? Probably, but it may pose a danger. The other side should be disconnected, and everything secured. Ss important is ensuring that what broke the link didnt cause other suspension damage.

What causes a rear sway bar to break?

When the shocks get worn out in a vehicle, it loses balance, and tends to tilt to one side or the other, resulting in much of the body weight of the vehicle sitting on the stabilizer bar. Therefore as the vehicle moves on a rough road, the unstable body eventually results into the bar breaking.

Can you drive without rear stabilizer bar?

TOM: Removing it won’t make the car unsafe to drive. In fact, anti-sway bars were commonly optional equipment a decade ago. But without the sway bar, the car will not handle and corner as well, or as comfortably for the driver and passengers, and your son will have to get used to driving slower on turns.

Is it safe to drive without a rear sway bar?

If you suspect that a sway bar is broken, you can still drive the car, but you must use caution. The way this will affect your drive will depend on if the front or rear sway bar is broken.

Are rear sway bars necessary?

The general rule of thumb is that a rear wheel drive vehicle will benefit from a front sway bar, while a front-wheel drive will benefit from a rear sway bar. … However, rear sway bars are recommended (whether you have front or rear wheel drive) if you’re experiencing any type of understeering.

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Can you drive with bad sway bar bushings?

Is it safe to drive with bad sway bar bushings? It is not advisable to drive with a flawed or broken sway bar. Still, if you must, you have to be cautious and steady in driving because you can quickly lose control of a car with lousy sway bar bushings, resulting in an accident if you are not prepared enough.

Can you replace just one sway bar link?

Is it necessary to replace both sway bar links if only one is bad? The answer is no, however your mechanic may recommend replacing both sway bar links because both links usually wear at the same rate and if one is bad, the other may go soon too.

What are the signs of a bad sway bar link?

  • Clunking noise.
  • Rattling noise.
  • Knocking sound on uneven road.
  • Lack of stability when driving.
  • Noise going over speed bumps.
  • Poor handling when turning.

How do you replace a rear sway bar link?

  1. Put on your safety glasses.
  2. Use a breaker bar to loosen the wheel lug nuts. Do not remove the nuts completely at this time.
  3. Safely raise and support the vehicle using a jack and jack stands. Chock the rear wheels and set the parking brake.
  4. Remove the lug nuts by hand. …
  5. Remove the sway bar link.

How important is a sway bar link?

The sway bar, also known as an anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar, is a vital part of your vehicle’s suspension system and keeps it level during cornering. … The sway bar link maintains the camber angle of the inner wheels to control motion. Like many automotive parts, over time the sway bar links will wear out.

Can a broken sway bar link cause tire wear?

Broken anti-sway bar end links do not cause tire wear.

How long do sway bar links last?

Now, when it comes to the overall lifespan of the sway bar link, it will be from four to five years. However, if the roads have treated the car exceptionally well and the turns were not that sharp, you can expect them to last over five years.

How much does it cost to replace a sway bar?

The average sway bar replacement cost is between $125 and $160, with labor making up $50 to $70 and the part costing between $55 and $110. It’s not usual to need a new sway bar. Typically, a car requires new sway bar end links or stabilizer bushings.

Is it safe to remove sway bar?

Removing the front sway bar from your SUV or truck may produce a minor increase in articulation. These results will be dependent on the vehicle and suspension in question. … I strongly recommend keeping the front sway bar connected. Sway bars are designed to control vehicle body roll.

What is the purpose of a rear sway bar on a truck?

What Is A Sway Bar and What Does It Do? A sway bar, also known as an anti-roll bar, torsion bar, or a stabilizer bar, is a steel bar that prevents lateral or side-to-side leaning or swaying of your off-road truck or Jeep when you’re taking turns, driving over rough terrain, and more.

Can a broken sway bar affect alignment?

Sway bar end links, or anything to do with a sway bar, won’t affect wheel alignment settings.

Can a broken sway bar link cause vibration?

No, sway bar cannot cause vibrations. It can transmit them, but not cause them.

How hard is it to replace sway bar links?

Replacing the sway bar links is a repair process that can be done with a few basic tools. If you don’t have access to the correct tools or are short on time, ask a certified mechanic from YourMechanic to replace the sway bar links for you.

Do I need to jack up to replace sway bar links?

Assuming the both front wheels are evenly supported there should not be any stress on the sway bar, so yes. If you’re doing the water pump I would recommend to properly jack the front end up from the center lifting point and support from jackstands on the side. You’ll want as much space to move around for that job.