Do you constantly hear loud, thudding sounds thud every time you drive over a bump with your Volkswagen? If so, your sway bar links could be worn out and may require replacement. A sway bar, also known as a stabilizer bar, is an important component in your car that links the suspension on the two sides of the car, as well as helps to minimize the amount of body roll during cornering or when driving on bumpy roads. The sway bar links are used to connect the sway bar to the suspension system so that it can work efficiently.
When the sway bar links are fine, they maintain the steadiness of your Volkswagen and make sure that the weight is divided evenly across the wheels. This reduces the tendency of tilting and assists in controlling the car while driving. When these links wear out or break, however, the stabilizing effect is lost, resulting in poor handling and safety concerns.
What Causes Sway Bar Links to Fail?
- Normal Wear and Tear: Sway bar links are constantly under tension as you drive and are prone to wearing out. With time and the constant force exerted on them, the bushings and joints on the links wear out. As the links continue to deteriorate, they become weak and less efficient in their functions.
- Bumpy Surfaces: When driving on roads with lots of potholes, humps, or other uneven surfaces, the sway bar links are subjected to a lot of pressure. If you often have to drive over lots of rough roads, these links may deteriorate at a faster rate than usual.
- Corrosion and Rust: Sway bar links are located in the undercarriage of the car, where exposure to moisture, dirt, and road salt can lead to them rusting. Corrosion reduces the strength of the metal parts and increases the chance of the links breaking. To ensure that the sway bar links have a long life span, you should ensure that your Volkswagen is always clean, especially if you must subject it to harsh driving conditions.
How Volkswagen Sway Bar Links are Replaced
- Lift the Car and Secure It: As with any procedure that involves working underneath the car, the car should be raised using a jack and supported on jack stands. This creates enough room to access the sway bar and the suspension system of the car.
- Take Out The Old Sway Bar Links: The old sway bar links are attached to both the sway bar and suspension. They are removed by simply loosening and unbolting these connections. If the links are rusted, using penetrating oil will assist in removing them.
- Check the Condition of Suspension: After removing the sway bar links, it is necessary to check the condition of the sway bar as well as other parts of the suspension system. If the sway bar bushings are worn out, it is recommended to replace them together with the links to ensure that the suspension system is properly aligned.
- Replace the New Sway Bar Links: New sway bar links are fitted on the sway bar and the suspension system. During installation, the bolts should be tightened to the desired torque so that it does not move back and forth excessively. Proper alignment is important in order to ensure that new links are functioning as expected.
- Test Drive the Vehicle: After the replacement is done, your VW should be taken for a test drive. This ensures that the newly installed sway bar links function well and that there are no strange sounds or handling problems.
Get Professional Assistance From Germany’s Best Inc.
If you notice any signs of
sway bar link failure in your Volkswagen, it is best to have it examined as soon as possible. At Germany’s Best Inc., we have been offering the best Volkswagen service in Oakland, CA, for more than 20 years. Our professional mechanics understand that each part of the suspension is important to keep the car stable on the road and we work hard to ensure that every repair on the suspension system is done with precision. We also serve drivers in neighboring cities such as Emeryville, Piedmont, and Berkeley. If you think that your VW has a failing sway bar, we are here to help you resolve it. Get in touch with us for an appointment, and let us offer you the best services for your Volkswagen.





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