Is it OK to drive with a bad sway bar?

A damaged sway bar can compromise your car’s stability and handling, especially in corners or during emergency maneuvers, so driving should be limited and the vehicle should be inspected and repaired promptly. This article explains what a sway bar does, how to recognize problems, safety considerations, and typical repair costs.

What a sway bar does

The sway bar (also called a stabilizer bar or anti-roll bar) links the left and right suspension to reduce body roll when you turn. By transferring forces across the axle, it helps keep tires planted and improves cornering stability. Worn bushings, damaged end links, or a bent bar can reduce effectiveness and cause unusual noises or handling quirks.

Common signs of a failing sway bar

If you notice any of the following indicators, it’s time to have the suspension inspected by a qualified mechanic.

• Clunking, banging, or creaking noise from the suspension when going over bumps


• Excessive body roll or instability in corners


• Steering feels loose, vague, or off-center


• Visible damage to the sway bar, end links, or bushings (rust, bends, or breaks)


• Uneven or abnormal tire wear on one edge


• Vehicle pulls to one side during braking or acceleration

These symptoms typically point to worn or damaged sway bar components, such as end links or bushings, and warrant a professional inspection to prevent further damage or unsafe driving conditions.

Is it safe to drive now?

In most cases, driving with a known bad sway bar is not ideal and can reduce handling, especially at highway speeds or during sudden maneuvers. If you must drive to a repair shop, take precautions:

• Drive slowly and make smooth, wide turns to minimize lean


• Avoid rough roads, potholes, and aggressive lane changes


• Limit cargo and passengers to reduce weight shifts


• Prefer a tow or roadside assistance for long trips

These measures reduce risk but do not fix the underlying issue. Schedule repair as soon as possible to restore optimum handling and safety.

Repair options and typical costs

Repair costs depend on which part is worn or damaged and the vehicle model. Here are common scenarios and what you might expect to pay, noting that actual prices vary by region and shop.

• End link replacement (often the most common failure): Parts typically $10–$60 per link; labor roughly $60–$150 per link


• Sway bar bushings replacement: Parts around $15–$60 per bushing (often two are replaced per axle); labor about $40–$120


• Sway bar itself replacement (rare, but needed if the bar is bent or severely damaged): Parts $40–$150; labor $100–$250


• Complete front or rear sway bar kit (bar, links, and bushings) for some vehicles: Parts $100–$350; labor $100–$300

Prices are highly vehicle-dependent. If only one end link or a single bushing is worn, replacing just that component is usually cheaper than a full bar replacement. Always obtain a written estimate before starting work.

Maintenance and prevention

Regular inspection of the suspension can catch sway bar wear early and prevent unexpected failures. Consider these preventive steps:

• Have sway bar components inspected during routine maintenance or wheel/alignments


• Replace worn end links and bushings in pairs to balance handling


• Keep tires in good condition and ensure proper wheel alignment after suspension work


• Address unusual noises or handling changes promptly rather than waiting for a routine service interval

Proactive maintenance helps preserve handling performance and can avert more costly repairs later.

Summary

A bad sway bar can compromise vehicle stability, especially in turns or emergency maneuvers, so driving should be limited and repairs scheduled promptly. Symptoms include clunks, excessive body roll, loose steering, and visible damage to the bar or its connections. Interim safety steps include slow, smooth driving and avoiding rough roads. Repair costs vary by vehicle and parts required, but end links and bushings are typically the least expensive fixes, while full bar replacement is more costly. Regular inspections and timely replacement of worn components help maintain safe handling and prevent roadside breakdowns.

What happens when you have a bad sway bar?

When a sway bar goes bad, a vehicle will experience increased body roll, making it feel unstable, especially during turns. You may also notice clunking or knocking noises over bumps, uneven tire wear, and less responsive steering. These symptoms occur because the sway bar is no longer effectively connecting the suspension on both sides of the car to keep it balanced.
 
Symptoms of a bad sway bar
This video demonstrates the symptoms of a bad sway bar, including body roll and unusual noises: 52sCar Care HacksYouTube · Dec 25, 2022

• Increased body roll: Your vehicle will lean more noticeably when taking turns or changing lanes. 
• Poor handling: The car may feel less stable and responsive, with loose steering and reduced grip, especially at high speeds. 
• Abnormal noises: A common sign is a clunking, knocking, or banging sound coming from the undercarriage, particularly when going over bumps or uneven surfaces. 
• Uneven tire wear: Because the suspension is unbalanced, some tires may wear out faster than others. 
• Reduced stability: The car may feel wobbly or unsteady, especially on the highway. 

This video explains how a bad sway bar can cause noises: 46sklowny1969YouTube · Nov 15, 2020
Why this happens

• A sway bar's job is to reduce body roll by transferring the load from one side of the suspension to the other during a turn. 
• When the sway bar, its links, or its bushings wear out or break, this connection is compromised. 
• This results in the suspension being less able to stabilize the vehicle's body, leading to excessive leaning and a loss of balance. 

How long can I drive on a bad sway bar?

You should avoid driving with a bad sway bar if at all possible, as it compromises your car's stability and could lead to a dangerous situation. If you must drive, do so only for a short distance at very low speeds, sticking to surface streets and avoiding highways, as a sudden need to maneuver could be catastrophic. The car is technically drivable, but its ability to handle body roll and maintain stability in turns is significantly reduced, especially in an emergency. 
Risks of driving with a bad sway bar

• Poor handling: The vehicle will feel "swimmy" and unstable, making it difficult to control, especially in turns or when changing lanes. 
• Compromised stability: The sway bar is designed to keep the car level during turns; without it, the body roll will be excessive, which can lead to a loss of control in an emergency. 
• Potential for catastrophic failure: A broken part could shift and lodge itself in the wheel or tire, causing more extensive damage and potentially leading to a sudden crash. 
• Accelerated wear: The remaining components of the suspension will experience increased stress and wear out faster. 

If you must drive

• Drive slowly: Keep your speed as low as possible. 
• Avoid highways: Stick to surface streets and avoid any situation where you might need to make a sudden lane change or evasive maneuver. 
• Drive only the distance needed: Get to a repair shop as quickly as possible and do not use your car for any other purpose. 
• Do not assume it's safe: Do not wait for the noise to stop, as this could mean the link is about to break completely. 

How much is it to replace a sway bar on a car?

The cost to replace a sway bar typically ranges from $150 to $650, but it can be higher depending on the vehicle and the specific parts needed. Replacing just the sway bar end links or bushings is often less expensive, while a full sway bar replacement can push the cost over $1,000 on certain vehicles, especially if the subframe needs to be lowered or special systems are involved. 
Cost breakdown

• Sway bar end links or bushings: These are the most common replacements and are typically the cheapest option. 
  • Total cost: $150 to $500 per axle. 
  • Parts: $20 to $100. 
  • Labor: $70 to $100 per hour, making up the majority of the cost. 
• Entire sway bar replacement: This is a more extensive and costly job. 
  • Total cost: $200 to over $1,000. 
  • Higher costs: May occur on vehicles with complex or active anti-roll systems (like some Land Rovers or Mercedes) or those requiring the subframe to be removed for access. 

Factors that influence cost

• Vehicle make and model: Labor and part prices vary significantly between different vehicles. Exotic or luxury cars will often be more expensive. 
• Parts needed: The cost depends on whether only bushings or end links are needed, or if the entire bar needs to be replaced. 
• Labor rates: The cost of labor varies by shop, with dealerships typically being more expensive. 
• DIY vs. professional installation: If you are mechanically inclined, you can save significantly on labor costs by replacing the end links or bushings yourself, as they are often a relatively simple job with the right tools. 

How urgent are sway bar links?

If you notice loose or broken sway bar links, replacing them as soon as possible is crucial to preventing further damage to the suspension system.