What are the symptoms of a bad stabilizer bar bushing?
3 Answers
Symptoms of a bad stabilizer bar bushing: 1. Incorrect wheel alignment. A four-wheel alignment is required. 2. Uneven tire tread patterns or tread depths on both sides. 3. Unequal tire pressure on both sides. Unequal tire pressure causes tires to differ in size, leading to inevitable deviation during rolling. 4. Deformation of the front shock absorber springs, resulting in inconsistent cushioning on both sides. The condition of the shock absorber springs can be judged by pressing or comparing after removal. 5. Failure of the front shock absorbers. After failure, the vehicle's suspension will be uneven in height during driving, causing uneven force distribution and resulting in deviation. 6. Excessive wear and abnormal gaps in the vehicle's chassis components. Common areas with excessive gaps include the tie rod ball joints, control arm bushings, and stabilizer bar bushings. The vehicle should be lifted for a thorough inspection. 7. Overall deformation of the vehicle frame. If the wheelbase difference on both sides exceeds the maximum allowable range, it can be measured with a tape measure. If it exceeds the range, correction must be performed using a correction bench.
I encountered this exact issue last week - the car was noticeably off. The most obvious symptom was a 'creaking' rubber friction noise from the chassis when going over speed bumps or potholes, like an old sofa groaning. During turns it was particularly exaggerated, with the car swaying and rolling much more than usual. Lane changes on the highway felt unstable too, with unusually strong road vibrations coming through the steering wheel - enough to make my hands tingle. When I specifically checked by rocking the tires in the garage, I found abnormal play in the wheels. The most annoying part was how these noises progressively worsened after 30 minutes of driving, accompanied by increased tire roar. Later at the repair shop, we discovered strange wear patterns on the tire edges. This kind of problem absolutely shouldn't be delayed - early repair means early peace of mind.
I've been driving this car for eight years, and the aging rubber bushings have been the most troublesome issue. Every time I start turning, there's always a dull 'thud' sound coming from the front wheel area. It's even more noticeable on slightly uneven roads, with all sorts of noises from the chassis as if it's falling apart. Once, when driving my family on a mountain road, my wife complained of motion sickness during a turn, something she never experienced before. After parking, I specifically pressed on the bumper and could feel the looseness in the suspension. The most annoying part is the increased play in the steering wheel, requiring constant corrections to maintain a straight line. An experienced mechanic told me that this situation could also accelerate wear on other chassis components, such as the tie rod ends.
