Control Arm Bushings & Sway Bar

[merc81]

I remember when we posted in that thread--I still am scratching my head as to why the bar needs replaced at all. The split ends just can't compromise the ability of the stabilizer bar to stabilize. I mean, even with the split ends, the bar is still mechanically connected to the swing arms--it might make a metal on metal sound once in a while, but it still would work.
So, are we just doing preventive maintenance by changing out the split end bar? Or is there some hope that this is going to improve handling and stability? I don't know the answer there--I changed out mine as well as several others, but really its not a big improvement. The only thing I can say is the 'clunk' noise is gone now, but a couple small hose clamps to keep the ends aligned would have done that.

Can anyone tell us if they have seen a severed bar end? That is, has the other half of the bar end broken off? I'm just thinking aloud, but all of the vans I've seen only have this weird separation of the bar ends, not both halves broken off. It would still perform the job its designed to do.

I guess my final comment on this would be if you are working in that area anyway, you should replace split bars, otherwise, I'd just leave well enough alone until you had occasion to be working on the suspension anyway.

[534BC]

Mine flexed right where the end was since one half of it was also broken from the bar (half as thick)

[kornjulio]

Thanks for the replies, but the job has been done for a couple of weeks now.

Replaced the sway bar, end links, and bushings. Didn't bother replacing the whole control arm. Everything went fairly smooth. The bolt that secures the sway bar clamp on the drivers side was tight to the rear air lines, but other than that not much drama.

Did the sway bar need replaced? Technically no - it was still doing it's job. But I couldn't not fix it once I saw it - it was broke, for Pete's sake!

[lesterl]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum.../t-334213.html

Found this interesting about the sway bar (hollow vs solid).

I figured it was lighter as the stock was hollow, never thought it could be stronger that way......... with the exception of the ends of course.....