The main task of the suspension is to provide an elastic connection between the body and the wheels. Thus, the suspension softens the shocks and jumps that occur when the car is moving on a rough road or there is no road. The smoothness of the car is directly dependent on the suspension.

The suspension serves as a kind of shock absorber, absorbing the energy that occurs when hitting bumps, or getting into pits and ruts. However, it does not guarantee complete softness of movement and wears out heavily with frequent movement over bumps.

Pendants are divided into the following types:

• McPherson;
• double-lever;
• multi-link;
• adaptive;
• "De Dion";
• rear dependent;
• rear semi-independent;
• pickups and SUVs;
• trucks.

McPherson suspension

The McPherson type suspension is one of the oldest. It was developed by talented engineer Earl MacPherson in 1960. Consists of stabilizer roll stability, lever and block. A serious disadvantage of the suspension is the change in the angle of the camber, but it is very popular because of its affordability and reliability.

double wishbone suspension

Double wishbone suspension is one of the most advanced designs. This is a suspension with two arms of different lengths (upper short and lower long). This design allows the car to maintain stability on the road and ensures the durability of the tires. Each wheel takes its own obstacle and does not transfer the load to other wheels.

The multi-link suspension was developed not so long ago and is an even more advanced design. It is a set of many levers, silent blocks and hinges. All these components are designed to dampen shocks and strong shocks while riding. The noise level from the wheels in the cabin is also reduced. The suspension has separate transverse and longitudinal adjustments. The wheels are independent of each other. The design is ideal for all-wheel drive vehicles.

Price multi-link suspension for some time it remained quite high, but now even drivers of golf-class cars can afford it.

adaptive suspension

The adaptive suspension is quite curious in terms of design. For a long time it was primitive and weighed a lot, but now it has been greatly modernized. Thanks to this, it allows maximum body roll and wave buildup at high speed and allows it to automatically adapt to any type of road surface. Part adaptive suspension includes: adjustable anti-roll bars, active shock absorber struts, control unit undercarriage and electronic sensors that record road irregularities and other parameters.

"De Dion"

"De Dion" is named after its French creator. The main function of such a suspension is to reduce the load on rear axle vehicle by separating the final drive housing. The crankcase in this case rests on the body. This design allows you to make the suspension dependent or independent. But there are also disadvantages. With a sharp start, the body of the car can put a lot of pressure on the rear axle.

Rear dependent suspension

The rear dependent suspension is a real classic, as it was used on many old VAZ cars. The suspension is based on cylindrical helical springs, which are elastic elements. The rear axle beam "hangs" on springs and is fixed to the body by means of four trailing arms. The reactive cross bar acts as a roll absorber and has a positive effect on handling. But do not expect comfort and smoothness from this suspension, since the rear axle weighs a lot.

semi dependent rear suspension most commonly used in vehicles with all-wheel drive. Its main elements are two trailing arms fastened in the center to the crossbar. Such a suspension weighs a little and does not require any special maintenance and serious repairs. But it is no longer possible to install such a suspension on rear-wheel drive cars.

Other types of pendants

The suspension of trucks is most often dependent with transverse or longitudinal springs and hydraulic shock absorbers. This design makes it possible to simplify the process of production and repair of trucks.

Anti-roll bar: design and purpose

The anti-roll bar is an indispensable part of the suspension. It provides a reduction in body roll when cornering, an increase in wheel adhesion to the road surface and an even distribution of the load on the frame. The shape resembles a metal beam with curved tips. It is attached on each side to the wheels of one of the axles, most often in the front (front stabilizer). Also, this structural element is attached to the car body.

Suspension diagnostics in the service center

The cost of such diagnostics varies from five hundred to a thousand rubles. Diagnostics allows you to identify suspension defects. Since this part of the car is most subject to wear and tear, diagnostics should be carried out promptly and in a timely manner.

You can determine that the time has come to check the suspension for serviceability by an uncharacteristic knock and an increase in the braking distance of the car. The stability of the car on the road also weakens over time. Diagnostics in service centers is carried out with the help of high-precision equipment (backlash meter, lateral care tester) and provides maximum information. After the diagnosis, you will receive a special diagnostic card with the results of the work.

To install the stabilizer, special bushings are used. What is a bushing? These are elastic elements that provide the car with a smooth ride. These bushings also ensure that there is no noise or vibration from the operation of the stabilizer.

The sleeve is created by casting from rubber or polyurethane. The shape for most models is identical. It is additionally equipped with grooves that protect against mechanical stress.

Signs of wear on the stabilizer bushings

There are several signs:

• the formation of steering wheel play during cornering;
• trembling of the steering wheel;
• body roll with various knocks and clicks;
• vibration and extraneous noise;
• "Wag" of the car to the side when driving straight;
• instability on the road.

Causes of bushing failure

Bushings most often fail due to poor road surface, the use of various reagents. Reagents that are used during black ice are no exception. Aggressive driving style with sharp braking and starting quickly leads to wear of most vehicle structures, including stabilizer bushings.

A major cause of wear can be low temperatures. The rubber of low-quality bushings will harden strongly and lose the necessary elasticity.

And finally, the most serious wear factor is time. The stabilizer bushing, like most elements of the car structure, is a spare part that has an expiration date. Any bushing sooner or later wears out and needs to be replaced.

Before replacing the stabilizer bushings, it is necessary to carefully inspect the suspension. The suspension must be cleaned of dirt. You can determine the wear of the bushing visually: it will have patterned cracks and various abrasions. The rubber of worn bushings loses its elasticity. To inspect the bushings, a special viewing hole or lift will help you. If there are no such amenities, use the "folk" method. Put your hands on the top of the roof of the car and shake it. Knocks and creaking in the lower part of the body will be a signal to replace the bushings.

Some car owners try to extend the life of the bushings by using special lubricants. This method is not recommended, since the lubricant “collects” various road debris and dust during the movement. But if you still decide to use a lubricant, then purchase a quality product that does not destroy rubber. Litol-24 and MOLYKOTE CU-7439 are suitable for you. These are universal products. They can even be used to lubricate brake calipers. Bushing grease is often available in a repair kit. In some cases, you may need a crowbar.

You will need one or more jacks to replace the bushings. It is advisable to carry out the replacement in the inspection hole, where special supports may also be needed. Of the tools you will need wrenches, a screwdriver and a repair kit.

Step-by-step instructions for self-replacement

The process of replacing the bushings of the front and transverse stabilizer are somewhat different.

To replace bushings front stabilizer you need to follow the steps below:

1. Install the car motionless over a viewing hole or on a lift.
2. Loosen the front wheel bolts using tools.
3. Remove wheels.
4. Unscrew the nuts securing the struts to the stabilizer.
5. Separate the struts and stabilizer.
6. Loosen the rear bolts securing the bracket that surrounds the hub, and then remove the front bolts.
7. Thoroughly clean the places for installing new bushings from dirt.
8. Lubricate the inside of the bushings with silicone spray or soapy water. A special lubricant available in repair kits may also be suitable for this.
9. Install stabilizer bushings and reassemble all parts.

To replace the cross stabilizer bushings, you also need to park the vehicle stationary over a pit or on a lift. Then follow the steps below:

1. Place wheel chocks under the rear wheels of the vehicle and slightly raise the front wheels.
2. Using a special open-end wrench, unscrew the nuts on the brackets in the places where they are attached to the vehicle's lower suspension arm. Carry out this operation on both sides of the stabilizer bar. Grover washers under the nuts are removed manually.
3. Remove brackets and remove worn bushings. To do this, bend the stabilizer bar with a crowbar and hold it with the same crowbar when removing the bushing.
4. If available center bushings, you will have to remove the stabilizer bar, which is mounted on two brackets. You can unscrew the nuts on them with an open-end wrench.
5. After removing the bar, clamp the bracket in a vise. Then you can remove the stem and then the bushing.
6. Replace the bushing by cleaning the installation sites from dirt and lubricating.
7. Further, as usual, the reverse installation is carried out.

The chassis in a car is such a part, certain elements of which directly ensure safety, so its condition must be perfect. One of the parts of the above design is a stabilizer, which includes the so-called bushing. It is an important structural part.

There are two types of bushings: spherical and rubber. This article is presented for those whose car needs emergency technical assistance in the following areas:

Replacement rear bushings.

signs of wear

The spherical bushing is similar in design parameters to a ball bearing. Naturally, by analogy with the latter, it tends to wear out and, accordingly, to come into a non-working or unsuitable state for functioning. In addition, it should be noted that it is extremely unsafe to travel with worn out (even if functioning) elements of the chassis of the car, and therefore, if the anti-roll bar bushing breaks down, it becomes necessary to replace it. In the case of a further trip with a bushing that has become unusable, the driver will definitely notice this, since, according to his individual feelings, driving the car will be much more difficult.

In most cases, when the stabilizer bushing is worn out, certain noises are heard in the suspension area, and as the speed increases, they increase significantly, and, accordingly, while driving over road bumps (holes and potholes), the noises become clear in the form of blows. And if you are an attentive driver and did not miss the extraneous sound and temporary uncontrollability of the car, then you will be engaged in finding out the probable cause of this situation. Thus, in order not to bring the suspension and bushings to such a state, it is necessary to carry out scheduled technical inspections of all parts of the structure, and the bushing is subject to the most intent diagnostics.

An easy three-step process

If, according to the results of the diagnostics or during the ride, you concluded that the bushing has become unusable, then you should not delay the repair. It needs to be replaced immediately. In this case, you don’t even have to go to a car service for this purpose: replacing the rear stabilizer bushings, just like the front ones, is a completely simple process, and this can be done on your own, without even resorting to the help of outsiders. Withdrawal worn bushings and replacing them with new ones is done in three steps:

• Unscrew the bolts that secure the clamp.
• Move the stabilizer to the side. This position makes it possible to conduct a thorough assessment of its condition and remember the features of the original internal structure in order to avoid the assumption of incorrect installation of elements after repair.
• In this situation, it is easy to remove the old bushings that have become unusable from the stabilizer and install new ones.

Benefits of timely replacement

Replacing the stabilizer bushings cannot create absolutely no difficulty for a driver who decides to make repairs on his own. All processes are fully available for manual execution, however, when there is no ability or desire to carry them out in the absence of outside help, it is recommended to contact a car service. Replacing the stabilizer bar bushings will enable the car owner to protect the racks from early wear.

Movement with brand new bushings avoids difficulties during traffic, especially when it comes to driving on poor quality roads. And in general, the new bushing is a comfortable and safe auto movement.

List of required tools

You definitely need to have the following set of tools:

• new bushings;
• to unscrew the subframe bolt, an open-end wrench of size 24 is required;
• keys for 17 and 15;
• for unscrewing screws from the motor protection - a key for 10;
• for fastening bolts - key 13;
• clamps made of metal material by 20 - to clamp the stabilizers, since the old ones must be replaced;
• anti-scale and rust treatment agent - WD 40;
• graphite lubricant;
• jack.

When planning to replace bushings alone, it is recommended that you leave marks before removing the stem. This is necessary in order to immediately install them exactly in the place where they were previously, because it is extremely difficult to move new bushings along the surface of the rod due to elasticity.

For the purpose of convenient mounting, it is recommended to lubricate the surface inside the bushing with a solution of soapy water.

step by step algorithm

A step-by-step algorithm for the process in which the replacement of the stabilizer bar bushings is carried out:

The car must be installed on a pit for inspection or on some other device to raise the front.

Using a socket wrench (30), unscrew the nuts (2 pcs each) securing the bushing cage and the ends of the stabilizer to the suspension arms. Pry off the rod with a small spatula (mounting), then remove the clip from the studs, carefully pulling it to the side.

Remove the rubber bushing from the rod end. Similarly, carry out the procedure on the opposite side.

Remove the stabilizer by unscrewing the nuts securing the brackets to the body side members (2 nuts on each side).

To replace the bushings, clamp the cage shank with a vice, then turn the rod and tighten the rubber bushing.

Put on new bushings, while it is necessary to orient them according to the marked marks.

Perform the following installation in reverse order.

Replacing the front stabilizer bushings is carried out according to a similar process as replacing the rear ones.

Replacing the bushing on the "Toyota"

If you plan to replace the Toyota stabilizer bushing, then first you need to dismantle the wheels. For this purpose, the nuts of the front wheels are loosened. Then you need to gradually raise in front of the car in order to firmly install it on the axle supports. Immediately tighten hand brake and block the rear wheels to prevent the vehicle from rocking. Separate the stabilizer link. For this purpose, a universal wrench is used to prevent the rack from spinning, otherwise the ball joint can rotate with the nut. Later, remove the existing bushing clamps.

After the stabilizer is disconnected, the bushings themselves are removed, subjected to an external inspection and, if there are defects, they must be replaced with new ones, which are first recommended to be lubricated with vegetable oil on each side. Thus, assembly is much easier. It is necessary to pay attention to the cuts of the sleeve, they must be turned towards the rear of the machine, and the mark, accordingly, must be with outside. Further assembly is carried out in the reverse order.

Kia stabilizer bushing replacement

Replacing the bushings of the Kia stabilizer provides for the following algorithm:

Raise the front of the car and remove the wheels. Find the steering shaft and make a mark (for easy further installation in the original place), unscrew the mounting bolt.

Using a jack, raise the gearbox, unscrew the rear cushion and subframe.

To simplify access to the rear cushions, four bolts are unscrewed, with which the subframe is attached.

Raise the front part of the subframe with a jack.

Remove the fastener and treat with an oil solution to prevent the development of corrosive processes on the metal.

Screw them into place only four or five turns. This is done crosswise to provide additional security and uniform contraction of the plane.

Loosen the jack to a level at which it is possible to reach the bushing bolts.

bushing with right side can be easily screwed through engine compartment, and on the left side - from below.

Insert staples. This procedure is carried out in a careful way so as not to cause damage to the clamp on the steering boot.

The process is repeated in reverse order.

The features of the Kia Sid car are that the steering shaft has a telescopic view, and therefore its installation takes place at the last moment.

Replacing the stabilizer bushing on the "Nissan"

It should be noted that the replacement of the Nissan stabilizer bushing is carried out in the same sequence as a similar procedure on some other passenger car.

The procedure must be carried out in a timely manner, then more complex breakdowns in the chassis of the car can be avoided.

However, as in other car models, the goal of replacing worn-out structural elements of car systems is to create a safe driving environment.

The suspension of a vehicle is one of the most important parts that is subjected to heavy loads and takes on all the bumps of a rough road. Thanks to its work, the driver can feel comfortable and not be afraid that the situation may get out of control while driving. However, due to heavy loads, especially when driving on bad roads, which is not uncommon in the Russian Federation, its parts often fail. The most common problem is broken stabilizer bushings. Let's take a closer look at why this happens and how the stabilizer bushings are replaced.

What are stabilizer bushings for?

The answer to the question: "Why do we need stabilizer bushings?" very simple. The main purpose of this part of the car is that it will affect the noise produced by the suspension when the vehicle is moving, reducing it. Also, with its help, the stabilizer is attached to the body of your car.

A feature of this part is its elasticity. Due to the fact that it is made of materials such as polyurethane or rubber, when you change the height of the wheel, you will not hear any sounds. The choice of these materials allows the stabilizer to be fixed to the body, despite the constant change in the distance between them that occurs during bends.

Note! The shape of the stabilizer has a similar appearance to most vehicles, but may be modified due to design features.

Why change stabilizer bushings?

If you don't take care of timely replacement stabilizer bushings, the following will occur. When entering a corner or driving on a rough road, the suspension vibration generated by these actions will not be damped. The refinement of the stabilizer bar on the car will also worsen.

With such malfunctions, you can drive for quite a long time, but it will wear out the resource of your suspension and the entire car as a whole much faster. In addition, the failure of the stabilizers leads to rather unpleasant noise.

How to identify signs of wear on the stabilizer bushings?

The occurrence of the following malfunctions during the operation of the vehicle will indicate a malfunction of the stabilizer bushings:

• the first call, when the bushing fails, will be the appearance of noise and knocking in the suspension when the car is moving. The difference from malfunctions with shock absorbers will be that the suspension will knock not only when passing uneven surfaces, but also when entering turns with a small radius. Moreover, the road surface in this case may be in good condition and not contain irregularities;
• if you do not pay attention to the knock in the suspension that has appeared and continue to operate the car, the situation will begin to worsen. The noise in the suspension will increase and will be caused by any change in the position of the suspension. This will happen due to an increase in cracks and deformation of the stabilizer bushings;
• the next step will be the appearance of a large roll of the car when making turns with a small radius. The body will sway a lot;
• steering wheel play may appear in some vehicles. This is due to their design features;
• further ignoring the situation will lead to the fact that the controllability of the car will fall. The car may begin to drive from side to side when trying to make any maneuver.

You should not bring the car to such a state, because it endangers not only your life, but also the safety of other road users.

Important! Most stabilizer bushings have a working resource of 30 to 40 thousand kilometers. Do not exceed this figure and risk your safety.

If you do not have the opportunity to take the car to a service for diagnostics, you can verify the failure of the bushings on your own. For this you need:

• find an overpass or pit for inspection. In this case, do not use jacks or lifts. The fact is that the test will be accompanied by a strong rocking of the car and a strong physical impact on the stabilizer. This could cause the vehicle to become unstable and jump off these devices. At best, this can result in injury, at worst, death. Therefore, to ensure maximum safety, it is recommended to use flyovers and pits;
• then a visual assessment of the condition of the rubber bands is carried out. If any cracks or breaks are found, such a part must be replaced;
• then it is necessary to make a strong physical impact on the stabilizer. Pull it in different directions. Creaks and noise accompanying this action, will indicate the need to replace the bushing.

How to change stabilizer bushings?

Repair of rubber bushings is cheap and can be carried out in the service, with the help of experienced specialists. This procedure should not hit your budget hard. If you prefer to carry out repairs on your own or you do not have the opportunity to visit the service in the near future, then you need to follow these steps:

• drive the car into a pit or overpass. You can use a lift or jack, but these are less reliable and safe ways;
• loosen the wheel bolts next to which the defective parts are located, and then remove them;
• the next step is to remove the nuts responsible for attaching the strut to the stabilizer. At the end of this procedure, separate the rack and stabilizer;
• Next, you should pay attention to the bracket mounting bolts. The rear must be loosened, and the front must be unscrewed;
• the next step is to remove the dirt and clean the place where the new stabilizer bushings will be installed. Carry out this procedure carefully, because the life of the new bushings will depend on the quality of its implementation;
• lubricate bushings with inside. To do this, you can use silicone spray or regular soap solution;
• insert the new bushings into their mounting position and bring the vehicle back to its original state.

Note! Some car models, due to their design features, require the removal of the crankcase protection.

The most difficult part is the process of replacing the front bushings of the vehicle. During its implementation, additional difficulties may arise due to the design features.

What causes stabilizer bushings to fail?

The main reason for the wear of these parts is the strong impact on them during the operation of the machine of the following factors:

• exposure to chemicals. It occurs due to the proximity to the wheels of the car. During movement, various chemical compounds enter the open parts of the bushings. The most dangerous of them are substances used in winter to remove ice on the road. They have a strong effect on the structure of the bushings, contributing to their drying out and the appearance of cracks;
• strong mechanical impact. The quality of roads in each region differs from each other. However, even in the most favorable areas, there are many slopes, the quality of which leaves much to be desired. Accordingly, than more car is operated on roads with serious damage, the faster the strength of parts is consumed. This happens due to the increase in friction that occurs when the suspension compensates for the unevenness of the roadway;
• the quality of the material from which the bushings are made. Usually even the best rubber bushings have a relatively short life. But it is them that most manufacturers put on their cars. Therefore, when replacing old bushings with new ones, experts recommend using products made on the basis of polyurethane. These products have a significantly greater margin of safety and will last you significantly longer.

What cars most often experience problems with stabilizers?

This type Breakdowns, sooner or later, occur on all cars. However, there vehicles who experience these problems more often than others. These include following cars:

• Lada Vesta;
• Volkswagen Polo;
• Skoda Rapid;
• Renault Megan;
• Mercedes Sprinter.

What tools may be needed when replacing stabilizers on your own?

The performance of this work will not require high-tech devices from the driver. To do this, you need to have the following tools:

• jack;
• key extension;
• ring wrench for 10 and 13;
• ruler;
• socket heads at 13 and 14. Preferably elongated;
• ratchet key.

It's minimal necessary set tools without which you will definitely not be able to carry out repairs. However, you may need an additional set. This need may arise when removing the fastening nuts. The fact is that during operation they can stick to the part. In this case, you may need a grinder or a hacksaw. You need to use these tools very carefully, because you can damage the stabilizer links. If this happens, then you will need to change them too.

Conclusion

Despite the sufficient simplicity of eliminating this type of malfunction, perform all actions very carefully. Especially in cases where a jack is involved in the process.

Any careless move can end badly. If possible, contact a service where your car will be repaired quickly and inexpensively, without endangering your health and the condition of the vehicle.

The anti-roll bar bushings are an integral part of the system that ensures the lateral stability of the machine in corners. During the turn, the centrifugal force tends to tilt the body in the opposite direction, and the stabilizer torsion bar, which is attached to the body and suspension with the help of bushings, resists such influence. Over time, the bushings wear out, collapse and become unusable, after which they must be replaced. We will talk about how to determine if the bushings require replacement and how to change them.

What are bushings for?

The anti-roll bar works on the principle of a torsion bar - a twisting beam, due to which a change in the height of the right wheel relative to the left one leads to twisting of the steel bar from which the stabilizer is made. The task of the bushings is not only to attach the stabilizer to the body, but also to reduce the noise of the entire system. The rubber or polyurethane from which the bushings are made has good strength and elasticity, due to which the change in the height of one of the wheels of the axle takes place without knocks and squeaks. In addition, it is impossible to rigidly attach the stabilizer to the suspension and body due to the fact that as the bend changes, the distance from the edge of the stabilizer to the suspension attachment point also changes. Very often, faulty bushings make various sounds - knocks, squeaks, especially during the passage of speed bumps or in sharp turns. This is due to the fact that the sleeve either loses its elasticity, becoming too rigid, or sand or dust is packed under it.

How to check bushings

Checking bushings consists of two stages:

• visual inspection;
• mechanical impact.

To check the bushings, the car is rolled into a pit or overpass. It is undesirable to perform these works on a lift because the stabilizer has to be pulled hard to check the bushings, and this can lead to a fall of the machine. It is all the more undesirable to use jacks, because by pulling the stabilizer a couple of times, you will tip the car over. It is not difficult to predict the consequences of such a development of events. Even the quick arrival of rescuers and emergency delivery to the hospital will not allow to avoid serious harm to health. If the rescuers are delayed, then you can die from a crash syndrome, internal bleeding or pain shock.

The purpose of visual inspection is to detect cracks and breaks in the bushings. If at least a small crack or tear is found on any bushing, then the entire set must be changed. For mechanical action, grasp the stabilizer near the bushing connecting it to the suspension, and start pulling hard in different directions. If squeaks or knocks appear at the same time, the bushings must be replaced. Do not be afraid to damage the bushings, body or stabilizer, because the loads during movement are much stronger than you can create, even pulling with all your might.

How to replace front and rear bushings + Video

In contrast to the test, which must be performed only on a pit or overpass, the replacement of bushings can also be carried out on a lift or jack and two stands. For more information on how to properly raise the car on jacks, read the article (safety for car repair and maintenance). You will need the following tools to replace bushings:

• a set of socket and open-end wrenches;
• metal brush;
• soap solution;
• graphite lubricant.

Preparation for replacing the stabilizer bushings on all machines is the same. Hang the front or rear of the machine, make sure the machine does not fall, then remove the wheels and engine guard (if fitted). After that, with an iron brush, clean all the bolts and nuts securing the bushings to the body or suspension. Often, the bushings that fasten the stabilizer to the suspension are made in the form of a part with two holes and silent blocks installed inside. It is much easier to change such bushings as a whole, rather than individual silent blocks. It will cost a little more, but you won’t have to suffer with pressing out old silent blocks and pressing in new ones.

The only difficulty that arises in the process of replacing the bushings is the difficulty in unscrewing the bolts that secure the bushings and clamps to the body. It is especially difficult to do this work on a machine with a subframe, so you need to tune in to hard work in difficult conditions.

• First of all, the stabilizer is disconnected from the suspension;
• Then the bolts securing it to the body are unscrewed and the stabilizer is pulled out;
• Old bushings are removed from the stabilizer, cleaned of dust and dirt and washed with soap. This procedure allows you to remove dust from the surface of the stabilizer, because dust is a strong abrasive that can quickly render a new bushing unusable;
• Now the new bushings are smeared with soapy water from the inside and put on the stabilizer;
• After that, the stabilizer is inserted into place and screwed to the body and suspension.

It is advisable to lubricate the threads of the bolts and nuts with graphite grease, this will keep them from sticking and facilitate the next replacement of the bushings. Then they put on the engine protection, wheels, tighten the nuts or bolts and remove the car from the stands or lift.

Stabilizer bushings are one of those parts that drivers pay little attention to. Roughly speaking, they can be completely removed from the car's suspension and nothing terrible will happen. Yes, the car will start to work a little worse - there will be knocks and vibrations when driving, but the car will continue to drive, and this is the most important thing. But if you want to fully monitor your car, it is recommended, among other things, to pay attention to the bushings and their work.

Table of contents:

Why do you need a stabilizer

Before you deal with the direct role of the bushings, you need to understand what is the task of the stabilizer on the car. As you can understand from the name of this element, it stabilizes the position of the car. The stabilizer is activated every time the car enters a turn and brakes. When cornering, there is a risk of lateral roll, and when braking, longitudinal, and in each of these situations, the stabilizer does everything to keep the car parallel to the roadway.

Structurally, the stabilizer is a conventional link that connects the subframe to the wheel mount (you can say that with the suspension arm, if we are talking about MacPherson strut front suspension). In MacPherson strut suspension, the camber angle is static and changes as the car rolls. Changing the camber angle inevitably leads to a decrease in the area of ​​contact between the tire and the road. To minimize the risk of such a situation, you need to reduce the roll force, which is what the stabilizer does. In fact, we can say that it takes on the role of a torsion bar: with the slightest likelihood of a lateral roll, the lateral ends located in the levers begin to move in different directions, thereby twisting the middle part. The moment that occurs during such movement is sufficient to prevent the relative movement of the wheels from continuing, which reduces roll.

The purpose of the stabilizer bushings

Stabilizer bushings are extremely important for the proper operation of the entire mechanism. Since the stabilizer must necessarily be able to twist from multidirectional forces on the left and right wheels, it is customary to fasten it with bushings. During operation, the stabilizer bushings begin to wear out, and a backlash occurs, which leads to the malfunction of the entire mechanism, increasing the freedom of the part. If no action is taken to eliminate the backlash (replacing the stabilizer bushings), all meaning in the operation of the stabilizer will disappear - the car will begin to heel in turns.

How to change stabilizer bushings

Replacing stabilizer bushings is a fairly simple process that can be performed in almost any service center. You can also replace worn parts yourself, if you have all the necessary tools.

To replace the stabilizer bushings you will need:

• Elevator, since the work will be carried out under the car;
• New stabilizer bushings. In fact, the sleeve is a regular piece of rubber, so there is no critical need to purchase original parts. On sale you can find a lot of analogues from well-known manufacturers, for example, from Sidem and Sasic;
• A pair of keys (or heads).