Sway Bar

The roads here have tons of potholes. Last week I turned a corner, and then heard a loud pop and then lots of thumping sounds from the right front tire area, especially when turning. My 1998 4-dr red Grand Prix GT had a broken sway bar! The mechanic said it was broken in two places and was unsafe to drive that way. Also needed ball joint and bushing on right front passenger side. $560 later it was all fixed in one day. Was that a decent price to pay? Mechanic said he can't believe how GM makes sway bars that are not one solid piece, but are pieced together, making them more susceptible to breaking. He said the GM sway bars breaking is a common problem. Why doesn't GM make it one solid bar? My best friend owns a 2003 GP and she had the same problem with hers, even though it is much newer than mine. Have you other Grand Prix owners experienced this same problem?

I had my end links changed out a few months back but so far my sway bar is holding up well. It's a 97 GPGT 119,900. I bought it in 04 so I don't know the history of repairs. I have had my bar inspected and it's ok. However, your mechanic is correct in that it's not safe driving with a broken sway bar. A member on here was in a very serious accident when his broke. It totaled his vehicle after running off the road and if I remembered right, landed him in the hospital.
As far as cost to repair yours, I'm ignorant on what's a fair price. I'm sure someone will add their knowledge on this subject.

I changed out the front and rear sway barson my car a while back. I wanted to stiffen up the ride of the car. I was surprised to see how light weight the original bars were. They did have a cheap-flimsy feel to them. I’ve really enjoyed the improved ride, and the change out was pretty non-technical. I did a little write up on it….

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=483988

See post #9, 11, 13 (and the bushings no longer make noise….)

Thanks JonJon68 and Niq for the information. Niq that is quite a nice write up of the work you did on your car. I was not even aware there was a choice of companies for a new sway bar. Mechanic just got the GM replacement part and put it on. Same thing I had on there before, but the ride does seem more stiff now with the new one on. Sorry to hear a forum member was hurt in an accident when their sway bar broke. I guess I was lucky no accident occurred.