What are the symptoms of a broken car stabilizer bar?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a broken car stabilizer bar are: 1. Noise when driving on rough roads; 2. No abnormal noise when driving on paved roads; 3. Increased body roll when the car is cornering. The car stabilizer bar is a device that connects the shock absorbers of the left and right wheels on the same axle, which helps reduce the body roll generated when the car is cornering. The function of the stabilizer bar is to generate anti-roll resistance to suppress body roll when the left and right wheels are at different heights, preventing torsion of the bar. The stabilizer bar does not function when the left and right suspensions move up and down synchronously. It only comes into play when the left and right suspensions move asynchronously due to road undulations or cornering.
I've been driving for over a decade and have encountered stabilizer bar failures several times, with quite noticeable symptoms. The biggest issue is significantly increased body roll when cornering, making turns feel like the car might tip over, with loose and imprecise handling. At high speeds, the steering wheel shakes violently, especially when changing lanes or entering highway ramps, which is particularly dangerous. There are often squeaking or rattling noises coming from underneath the chassis, becoming louder during slow turns or when driving over bumps – these sounds are downright irritating. If not repaired promptly, it leads to uneven tire wear, slower turn response, and increased skidding risk in rainy conditions. My advice is to take the car to a professional shop immediately upon noticing these signs. Don't cut corners by using aftermarket replacement parts, as this creates major safety hazards. Regular suspension system maintenance can prevent these issues.