Apr. 28, 2025
The sway bar link also known as the stabilizer bar link is used to attach the sway bar with either the control arm or the spindle. The sway bar is a simple bar that connects the left and right suspension components in an independent suspension system. Sway bars are also referred to as anti-roll bars, anti-sway bars, roll bars, or stabilizer bars. The job of the sway bar is to reduce body roll and keep all four wheels of a vehicle grounded as the vehicle makes a turn. The sway bar link helps connect the sway bar to the suspension system and acts as a pivoting point to allow the sway bar to flex or rotate as the vehicle moves.
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The number of sway bar links on a car depends on the car’s make and model. Most cars have two sway bars, one in the front and one in the rear, that are joined together to the car’s suspension by the sway bar links. However, some older car models may only have a sway bar on the front axle.
There are different types of sway bar links, but the most common ones are bolt type, hybrid, and ball joint style. The bolt type sway bar link is the most basic type and is used in most cars. It consists of a bolt that goes through the sway bar and the suspension component. The hybrid sway bar link is a combination of the bolt type and ball joint style sway bar links. The ball joint style sway bar link contains two ball joints on either end that connects to the sway bar and suspension component, which is usually the lower control arm.
A stabilizer bar system is part of most vehicle suspension systems. It is designed to reduce body roll and fine-tune the suspension by connecting the front wheels (left and right), and in many cases the rear wheels, through short links connected to a suspension component at each wheel. Stabilizer bars are also referred to as anti-sway bars, sway bars, anti-roll bars, and roll bars.
The stabilizer bar system consists of several components, including the stabilizer bar itself, stabilizer links, stabilizer link bushings or sockets, stabilizer bar to vehicle frame bushings, and bushing brackets to hold the bushings in place against the frame or unibody member. All of these components are designed to help force opposing sides of the vehicle to lower or rise to similar heights and reduce the body roll of the vehicle on curves, sharp corners, or over large bumps.
End links, also known as sway bar links, serve as a connection between your vehicle’s sway bar (anti-roll bar) and the vehicle’s suspension. The sway bar helps to decrease the amount of weight transfer, keeping a greater contact patch of the tire on the ground, increasing the grip & performance of the vehicle. Whenever you change a vehicle’s ride height, the suspension geometry changes and in order to correct the angles that are changed, shortened or adjustable end links may be needed. The end link below is adjustable which can be shortened or lengthened in order to correct the sway bar angle.
Mevotech Sway Bar Links
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Moog Sway Bar Links
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Delphi Sway Bar Links
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Depending on the suspension design, the sway bar link used in a particular vehicle can vary and so there are a few different types available. The various categorizations are as follows:
Extended: Extended sway bar links are designed for vehicles that have been lifted or raised from their original ride height or modifications made to the suspension system.
Non-Extended: Non-extended sway bar links are meant for vehicles that have not undergone any modifications with the suspension system.
There are three types of sway bar links based on their design. These are:
1. Ball Joint / Socket Style: This type of sway bar link contains two ball joints on either end that connects to the sway bar and suspension component, which is usually the lower control arm. Ball joints allow the sway bar and control arm to move relative to one another while still transferring the force from both sides. This type of sway bar link can be found in many modern independent suspension systems. The ball joints provide a flexible connection point which allows the sway bar and control arm to move freely relative to one another providing a smoother ride.
2. Bolt Type: A bolt-type sway bar link consists of a bolt with bushings on either end that connect the sway bar to the control arm. These bushings provide a softer connection point which provides a smoother steering response and a more comfortable ride.
3. Hybrid style: A hybrid sway bar consists of a bushing and bolt connection on one side and a ball joint on the other. This enables the sway bar to move with greater freedom on the ball joint end and has a supple connection on the bushing end combining the advantages of both styles of connections.
The bushing used in a bolt-type sway bar link can be made of different materials which offer different advantages. The factory-equipped bushings are usually made of rubber that is softer but provides a more comfortable ride. However, this ride comes at the cost of more body roll during turns due to the softer nature. Additionally, rubber bushings are cheap and maintenance-free—no need to lubricate them.
The other type of bushing used is polyurethane which is harder and much more durable which makes them last longer and minimizes body roll during cornering. One drawback to this is a firmer ride due to the hard nature of polyurethane bushings.
Metal bushings are made of metals such as iron and steel. They are commonly found in old car models and heavy trucks. They are preferred in heavy equipment due to their stiffness and ability to withstand stretching and abuse. They last a very long time but are prone to rust which can cause premature sway bar link failure. Metal bushings provide good handling performance but can be harsher on the ride quality.
A. Bushing Material
Different types of bushings offer different advantages. It is important to buy the right type of bushing according to your specific needs. Rubber bushings are quite affordable and offer comfortable ride quality but can cause excess body roll when turning, whereas polyurethane bushings give a harsher ride but are firmer which provides better handling characteristics. Metal bushings are a long-lasting option but are vulnerable to corrosion and rapid wear if not lubricated regularly. They are ideal for heavy-duty applications as they can withstand more abuse before failing.
B. Sway Bar Link Style
Sway bar links are available with varied connection types as discussed earlier. The links can be attached to the suspension components either by a ball joint or directly bolted with bushings or can have both a bushing and ball joint on either end. The type of sway bar you need to choose depends on the original type your vehicle came with. Check the existing sway bar link type and buy the same type of link.
C. Greasable Vs Non-Greasable Design
Some sway bar links need to be lubricated regularly for the best performance and to prolong component life. Bushings, as well as ball joints, need to be greased regularly to prevent wear and tear. Failing to lubricate them can cause excess wear in metal bushings and ball joints that will cause the link to fail eventually. To counter this, maintenance-free components or non-greasable design is used which does not require regular greasing of the ball joint or bushings. However, these designs generally have a shorter lifespan compared to greasable designs. Maintenance-free or non-greasable sway bar links are ideal for compact and sedan cars where the wear and tear on various suspension components is lower. Whereas for heavy-duty applications, the greasable design is recommended.
Mevotech gives technicians the edge, by innovating chassis components. Their engineers focus on making their parts faster and easier to install, and they engineer them to provide a longer service life. Employing punishing durability testing, they validate every new design to ensure you get the performance you can trust.
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Mevotech Sway Bar Links Part Number: MS, MK, MK, MS, and more
Features:
For more products, visit our Mevotech Sway Bar Link section.
MOOG® provides durable and long-lasting suspension products and is the preferred brand of replacement chassis parts by professional technicians. Featuring problem-solving innovations for longer life. Moog’s line of sway bar end links comes in a variety of shapes and styles, each one designed specifically for the vehicle it’s listed for. Known for its high-quality parts, Moog stays true to form with each of its end link designs. Maximize your vehicle’s performance and value with a set of Moog’s sway bar end links, all covered by Moog’s lifetime warranty.
1. Moog Standard Sway Bar Links
Part Number: K, K, K, K, K, and more
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2. Problem Solver Sway Bar Links
Part Number: K, K, K, K, K, and more
Features:
For more products, visit our Moog Sway Bar Link section.
Delphi Technologies’ sway bar links are strong and stable. They go through rigorous fatigue testing to prevent premature failure, with anti-corrosion protection applied to each part. With an enlarged ball bin made from surface-hardened steel, a top-grade rubber boot, and high-performance grease, Delphi sway bar links deliver a safe and comfortable ride, time and time again.
Delphi Sway Bar Links Part Number: TC, TC, TC, TC, TC, and more
Features:
For more products, visit our Delphi Sway Bar Link section.
TOR offers a full range of heavy-duty steering and suspension car parts, built for optimal fit and extended service life. Each component is tested throughout the manufacturing process to ensure exceptional performance and reliability.
Transit Warehouse Sway Bar Links Part Number: TOR-K, TOR-K, TOR-K, TOR-K, TOR-K, and more
Features:
For more products, visit our Transit Warehouse Sway Bar Link section.
Sway bars are made of long-lasting and durable metal bars but the bushings and ball joints on sway bar links are susceptible to wear and tear and can fail over time with prolonged use. A broken sway bar link can affect the handling and steering performance of the vehicle, increasing body roll, and reducing steering response. This makes it necessary to find failure which is evident from the following signs of failure.
The lifespan of sway bar links depends on the quality of the parts and how well they are maintained. Car owners need to replace their sway bar links once throughout the car’s entire lifespan. Expect them to last at least 50,000 miles. However, if you drive down roads that are excessively bumpy and rough, the links may only last around 50,000 miles. The links provided by the manufacturer on your new car will last a long time. Useful life of 150,000 miles is not unusual.
A broken sway bar link can be dangerous and must be dealt with immediately as it will result in handling issues. Poor handling can also rise if the front or rear sway bar link’s bushings are corroded. You may also notice your steering wheel to be a bit lose and the vehicle will start swaying as you make a turn.
As the sway bar link ball joints wear, the metal components within start to contact each other which is evident from grinding or knocking noise coming from the suspension as you make a turn or drive over a bump. Similarly, torn bushings in the sway bar links will cause metal-on-metal contact causing a grinding or clunking noise. If the sway bar link is faulty, then it can detach from the frame completely. This can result in the sway bar links hitting other suspension components and will produce a metal clunking noise from the wheel wells.
Since sway bar links are connection points between the suspension and the sway bar itself, faulty or broken sway bar links can cause increased body roll. This is because the weight transfer that is possible due to the sway bar connection is broken and so the vehicle tends to lean or roll as you negotiate a turn. You will experience body roll especially while cornering affecting the handling and the steering performance of the vehicle.
You can still drive your car with a broken sway bar link, but the performance of the vehicle will be affected. The sway bar link is responsible for stabilizing the vehicle by reducing how much your car leans when turning. If the sway bar link is broken, the car’s stability will be compromised, and the steering wheel will loosen, resulting in an unstable drive.
If your sway bar link is broken, it is recommended that you drive at much lower speeds, less than 50 km/h. Your drive may not be as smooth because your steering wheel would be looser, but you won’t have to risk losing control of your car, as you would if you were driving at a higher speed.
Sway bar links are an important part of your vehicle’s suspension system. They connect the sway bar to the suspension and help to reduce body roll when turning or driving on uneven surfaces. Without functioning sway bar links, your car’s handling and stability can be compromised. Here are some of the benefits of functioning sway bar links:
In conjunction with a stabilizer bar and stabilizer bushings, stabilizer links reduce your vehicle’s body roll by transferring lateral force to the opposing side during a corner or turn. Typically, one end of the stabilizer link is mounted to the stabilizer bar, while the other is connected to a suspension component on the wheel side.
A stabilizer link connects both the left and right suspensions to the stabilizer bar.
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