Can You Drive with a Broken Sway Bar Link?

Are you having trouble driving your car because of a broken sway bar link? If so, you’re not alone. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 9,000 incidents where a broken sway bar link was the cause of a crash in 2017.

That’s up from just over 2,000 in 2010. If you think your car is at risk of getting into a wreck because of this issue, don’t wait – get it fixed as soon as possible.

What is a sway bar link?

A sway bar link is a part of your car’s suspension that helps to keep the vehicle in its lane. When you drive, the weight of the car pushes against the links, and these links use oil or grease to resist movement.

As a result, your sway bar link can become damaged if it’s not kept in good condition. This can cause your car to pull to one side when you hit a bump, which can lead to a lot of trouble on the road.

If you notice that your sway bar link is starting to look worn or rusty, it might be time for a replacement.

How does it work?

Sway bars are one of the most important suspension components on a car, and when they’re damaged or not functioning properly, they can cause a lot of problems.

A sway bar is a bar that links the front and rear suspension systems together. When you drive, the weight of your car pulls on the sway bar, which in turn causes the suspension to move back and forth.

This movement creates resistance to movement, which is why a broken swaybar can cause such trouble.

In general, if your sway bar is severely bent or twisted, it will need to be replaced as part of a comprehensive suspension repair.

If it’s only slightly bent or twisted, you may be able to fix it yourself using adjustable wrench sets and some basic tools.

However, if your sway bar is completely broken off at its connection point with the frame of your car, you’ll likely need to replace the entire assembly—a much more involved process that requires special tools and expertise.

Can you drive with a broken sway bar link?

Can you drive with a broken sway bar link? No, it is not recommended to drive a car with a broken sway bar link.

When the sway bar link becomes weak or damaged, the suspension of your vehicle may become unstable as a result, which can lead to dangerous driving conditions and an increased risk of accidents.

Additionally, when the sway bar link breaks completely, it will be difficult for you to control the direction of your car and make turns without having to fight against it.

Furthermore, when driving with a broken sway bar link, the car will have an uncomfortable ride due to excessive movement in all directions.

This could affect other parts of the suspension system and cause further damage if left unchecked for too long. Ultimately, for safety reasons and to avoid further damage it is best that you replace the sway bar link sooner rather than later.

Why do they break?

Sway bars are a component of suspension systems that connect the wheel to the chassis. They’re designed to reduce body roll by transferring the torque from the wheel to the chassis, which in turn reduces movement and makes driving more stable.

Sway bars can break for a variety of reasons, but most commonly they fail due to wear and tear. Over time, sway bars become floppy as they take on more and more torque, which can cause them to snap.

If this happens while you’re driving, your car will suddenly veer off course and could lead to an accident.

To avoid this kind of trouble, it’s important to inspect your sway bar regularly and replace any parts that show signs of wear or tear.

Additionally, make sure your suspension system is properly tuned so it’s handling the loads placed on it correctly. Doing so will help keep your sway bar from breaking down in the first place

How do I know if my sway bar link needs to be fixed?

If you’re experiencing excessive sway or a loss of control while driving, it’s likely your sway bar link needs to be fixed.

A sway bar links the front and rear suspension systems together, and when it’s broken, it can cause instability in the car. In extreme cases, this can lead to accidents.

To determine if your sway bar link needs to be fixed, take a look at the following:

• Does your vehicle feel like it’s constantly moving during turns? If so, your sway bar link may need to be replaced.
• Does your vehicle feel like it has too much power when accelerating or braking? This might also mean that your swaybar link is broken.
• Are there any weird noises coming from the suspension system? This could indicate that something is wrong with the linkage between the front and rear suspension systems.