Sway bar starting to crack

I took my car in for inspection and it passed. They said my sway bar is starting to crack but is no big deal now? What are the ramifications of a cracked swaybar and how much longer before it possibly needs to be replaced?


97 GrandPrix 105k

I took my car in for inspection and it passed. They said my sway bar is starting to crack but is no big deal now? What are the ramifications of a cracked swaybar and how much longer before it possibly needs to be replaced?


97 GrandPrix 105k

Been a few posts on this topic in the last few years here at AutomotiveForums. Might try to search it using the search feature.

I can tell you its not safe and you should have them replaced before the links break. No way to give you a set period of time before they break. Just breaking hard or turning hard in an emergency could cause them to completely fail immediately.

If it breaks you will have some loss of cornering but it won't cause you to have any major issues. I suggest that you replace it however because it will eliminate the roll in the car. GMpartsdirect.com has a complete kit for both front and rear. There are others and they are not exceptionally hard to change, just make sure you purchase new end links because the end links will probabaly break when you take them apart.

If it breaks you will have some loss of cornering but it won't cause you to have any major issues. I suggest that you replace it however because it will eliminate the roll in the car. GMpartsdirect.com has a complete kit for both front and rear. There are others and they are not exceptionally hard to change, just make sure you purchase new end links because the end links will probabaly break when you take them apart.


Thanks. It can't be very bad because they told me this when I brought my car in for an inspection and it passed.

Here is what mine looked like when it "started to" break.

You can see right where the endlink connects to the stabilizer bar, its cracked.

I replaced it with a GMPP (GM Performance Parts) 34mm solid stabilizer bar from ZZP.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=904243

I bought my solid replacement front bar through ZZ performance. It's a complete kit that includes mount bushings and end link kits. With shipping and all, it was around $105. If it's just cracked on the end where the links attach, it's not really a big safety issue. If it has cracked farther up near the mount bushings, I would get it changed ASAP. I remember seeing something a while back where a broken sway bar caused an accident due to the broken piece falling down and catching the pavement.

I took my car in for inspection and it passed. They said my sway bar is starting to crack but is no big deal now? What are the ramifications of a cracked swaybar and how much longer before it possibly needs to be replaced?


97 GrandPrix 105k

The one on my '98 has been cracked on the end for years. When it goes completley, I will replace it.