What are the characteristics of a squeaky stabilizer bar bushing?
2 Answers
Characteristics of a squeaky stabilizer bar bushing: 1. When the vehicle turns or encounters bumpy roads, abnormal noises from the underside of the car indicate bushing issues. Aging stabilizer bar bushings lose performance, leading to squeaks. 2. In cold winter temperatures, bushings may also produce noises due to thermal expansion and contraction. This is not a cause for concern, as the issue will resolve naturally when the weather warms up. How to fix the squeaking: 1. First, try spraying some lubricant to see if it improves. If the noise persists, the bushing may be damaged. If you are skilled, you can purchase and replace it yourself. 2. If the noise occurs in winter, you can remove the bushing, wrap a layer of plastic film around the stabilizer bar, or place a bicycle inner tube as padding. 3. A damaged lower control arm bushing increases play, causing noise and potentially leading to detachment, which is dangerous. Replacing the lower control arm bushing is complex, so it's recommended to visit a professional repair shop or dealership for replacement.
Recently, I encountered an issue with the car's stabilizer bar bushings in my over-ten-year-old vehicle. The symptoms are quite distinct: when turning, especially at low speeds while steering, I can hear a 'creaking' friction noise, like something hard is scraping. The sound becomes louder and more abrupt when going over speed bumps or rough roads, and it's even more pronounced in cold or rainy weather because the bushings shrink and harden. The noise isn't constant—it might stop for a few seconds after a bump but returns during acceleration or sharp turns. As the damage worsens, the frequency of the noise increases, and the car body may even sway slightly, making steering unstable. If left unrepaired, the suspension will wear out faster, making handling dangerous. It's advisable to get it checked and replace the parts while the noise is still minor; otherwise, repairs could become more expensive.
