sway bar bushings

[lansdowne]

I have a 2001 Dodge Caravan and i think need new sway bar bushings. Two questions:
is it a big job
and
is it expensive??
thanks..Lansdowne

[neon_rt]

What would make you think you need sway bar bushings? That is an unusual repair.

[lansdowne]

Originally Posted by neon_rt

What would make you think you need sway bar bushings? That is an unusual repair.

a mechanic friend of mine says sthats what it sousndcs like...the noise
e

[neon_rt]

OK...what noise?
I think it would be unlikely that the sway bar bushings would be worn out. There isn't much stress associated with them. If it is a rubbery squeek that you are hearing, you can spray sillicone lubricant (NOT WD40 or OIL it will ruin them) on them and they will quit squeeking for a while. Then you know you have located the squeek and can change the bushings. If you have had an engine oil leak, that can ruin all of the rubber based bushings the oil comes in contact with.

[lansdowne]

Originally Posted by neon_rt

OK...what noise?
I think it would be unlikely that the sway bar bushings would be worn out. There isn't much stress associated with them. If it is a rubbery squeek that you are hearing, you can spray sillicone lubricant (NOT WD40 or OIL it will ruin them) on them and they will quit squeeking for a while. Then you know you have located the squeek and can change the bushings. If you have had an engine oil leak, that can ruin all of the rubber based bushings the oil comes in contact with.

++

sorry.. the noise sounds more like a rattle, especially when driving over a rough piece of road. It DOES sound like a rubber is missing or broken.

[neon_rt]

If it is the sway bar, you should be able to get some noise out of it by grabbing the sway bar near the ends and push/pull it up and down.
I think that the sway bars have end links that are one piece rather than a link with rubber bushings that you make sandwich with. Could be you have a broken or partially broken link.

[tjon]

Originally Posted by neon_rt

If it is the sway bar, you should be able to get some noise out of it by grabbing the sway bar near the ends and push/pull it up and down.
I think that the sway bars have end links that are one piece rather than a link with rubber bushings that you make sandwich with. Could be you have a broken or partially broken link.

Sway bar bushings and linkage failures seem to be very common on these vehicles. My 99 grand caravan required new bushings AND links.

[neon_rt]

I haven't had the problem.
'99 Caravan 30,000 miles - Killed by wreckless driver
'00 Grand Caravan 130,000 miles - killed by wreckless driver
'00 Grand Caravan bought used 85k now has 105K
I've not had a bushing problem in any of them.
No transmission problem either, far as that goes, not much of any problems. Feel sorry for those that do.

[B33p3r]

I have a 2001 GV and it has bad links and bushings. The rattle sound is the links. The clunk is the bushings. Will be going in soon for repair. I've never done my own repair on either but from reading the forum it doesn't sound too bad.

[tjon]

Originally Posted by B33p3r

I have a 2001 GV and it has bad links and bushings. The rattle sound is the links. The clunk is the bushings. Will be going in soon for repair. I've never done my own repair on either but from reading the forum it doesn't sound too bad.

The bushings are easy to replace. However the links are usually stuck pretty good. I've had to cut the nuts off them for removal. Good luck.

[reconridr]

I have a 2001 caravan and had to replace the sway bar bushings, very easy, less than 30min job, also makes a difference in the drive and noise. had to replace at about 90,000 miles, caravan now has 114,000 and still running great.

[Rottweiler28]

My friends 94 caravan had the same problem, hit a bump and clunk clunk. He changed the bushings himself with a set of car ramps and 30 mins. He said there was four bolts holding the bar on there, he dropped the bar, replaced with new bushings and put it back in place, problem solved. He later broke the bar by driving over a snow bank, just heard a lound bang and we couldn't figure out what it was until half the swaybar fell out from under the van while driving it. It had cracked in behind a rubber or something so we couldn't see it.

[needanid]

I just did my sway bar bushings on my 96 minivan. Very easy about 15 to 30min.. Parts for both sides were about $13. They were wored out and had begun to tear.

Its funny how I spent about $800 trying to fix a clunk everytime I hit a bump. I had change the ball joints, shocks, sway bar links. I was fed up, took off the wheel, had someone shake the car and bingo! 13 dollar part.


andy.

[scotch1j]

2002 dodge caravan,

have been living with the clunk going over bumps for 2 years. have been told it was the ball joints, etc...I changed the sway bar bushings last night after reading the posts and the clunk is now gone. the bushings were only 10.99 for the set.

It is hard to tell if the bushings are bad while they are on the bar. they are a hard plastic so do no have that cracked worn out look like rubber bushings do. When I took the passenger bushing off i found that the inner dia was shaped like an oval and was the cause of the problem. The drivers side was also worn but not as bad.

the passenger side bushing was out in the open and easy to replace. the drivers side one is nested between a bunch of other stuff and is more of challenge to put on.

[pbkayak1]

I replaced my sway bar bushings at about 110,000 miles. For the past few weeks have been having the same squeak and such. I replaced them last night (they were certainly worn), the noise is still there. Except it is now coming from both sides and I get a popping whenever I make a hard left or right turn then bring the wheels back to center. I know the ball joint pinch bolts are not loose. So, I am figuring after 237,000 miles, it might be time to replace those control arm bushings, and while the control arms are out might as well do the ball joints.