Is your Buick, Chevy, or GMC feeling wobbly in turns? A failing rear stabilizer bar can cause several noticeable problems. Here’s how to tell if yours might be going bad:
- Excessive Body Roll: The car leans more than usual when turning.
- Unstable Handling: The vehicle feels less stable, especially at higher speeds.
- Clunking Noises: You hear clunking or rattling sounds coming from the rear suspension, especially when going over bumps.
- Uneven Tire Wear: One tire might wear out faster than the other on the same axle.
- Steering Issues: The steering might feel loose or vague.
How to Test:
- Park the car on a level surface.
- Push down firmly on the rear corner of the vehicle.
- Release and observe how the car bounces.
- Repeat on the other side.
- If one side bounces significantly more than the other, the stabilizer bar or its related components (like bushings or end links) might be worn or broken.
- Visually inspect the stabilizer bar, bushings, and end links for damage, cracks, or excessive wear.
Common Failure Causes:
- Corrosion: Rust can weaken the metal, leading to cracks and breaks.
- Worn Bushings: The rubber bushings that hold the stabilizer bar in place can dry out, crack, and wear down over time.
- Damaged End Links: The end links connect the stabilizer bar to the suspension. They can bend, break, or develop excessive play.
- Impact Damage: Hitting potholes or other road hazards can damage the stabilizer bar or its components.
- Age: Over time, the metal can fatigue and become more susceptible to failure.