Front stabilizer - this is one of the parts of the chassis system, designed to ensure lateral stability of the car body. Every car owner should know about the basic malfunctions of stabilizer struts, how to check them, as well as replace the rack. This is necessary to carry out timely repairs so that other, more important suspension elements do not fail due to the strut.
Also, many car owners are interested in the question of which racks to choose? Which manufacturer should you prefer? At the end of the article you will find a short summary based on real reviews from car enthusiasts who have used certain stabilizer struts. We will tell you about this and more in this material.
Stabilizer link diagram
What is a stabilizer link
Many, especially novice, car owners are interested in the question - stabilizer struts, what are they ? To begin with, let us describe in a nutshell what a stabilizer itself is and why it is needed. So, a stabilizer bar is needed to reduce the horizontal roll of the car body during turns and various deviations in the horizontal plane. And the stabilizer struts serve to attach the latter to the car body. It provides a movable connection between the elastic stabilizer and the hub or steering knuckle due to the existing hinges. Depending on the design, the suspension and struts may be different.
Various types of anti-roll bars
Mechanism design
This component is designed for a reliable and at the same time damping connection of the unsprung masses of the suspension (wheel, hub, steering knuckle) with the elastic part - the stabilizer beam. The common purpose of the stand is to provide a movable joint. In this case, the execution may be different:
- Ball joints. The most common scheme. Provides freedom to hinges in all directions.
Example of ball joints
With this design, wear occurs the fastest, since the ball joints take on a load comparable to ¼ of the vehicle’s weight. The stand is constantly in motion, experiencing forces aimed at compression, tension and bending. It is used in suspensions where the components are arranged compactly and the stabilizer beam has a complex shape. Can be installed at an angle. Practically beyond repair or restoration. - Earrings. A primitive but very reliable scheme.
“Earring” type design:
Elastic elements (rubber, polyurethane, silicone) are strung onto a stud and secured with washers. Between the rubber bands are the eyes of the suspension arm and the stabilizer beam. Some freedom of movement is provided by the rubber stops themselves, but significant deviation from the vertical is impossible. This drawback does not allow the use of such racks in complex suspensions. The advantages include the ability to withstand significant loads and high maintainability. - Silent blocks. Such a hinge has mobility in only one plane. Transverse deviations are allowed at a small angle.
Option of silent blocks (part circled in red)
The advantages include a longer service life (compared to ball joints) and relative maintainability. Disadvantage: limited use on complex suspension structures.
Design and operation of racks
As a rule, a stand is a rod 5...20 cm long. At both ends there are hinges that provide a movable connection. These can be either two ball joints, or a joint and a stabilizer bushing, or two bushings, or a joint on one side and a thread on the other. They are usually welded to the rod at a right or close angle.
In the place where the tip adjoins the metal rod there is a thinning (“neck”). It serves as a kind of fuse. If the mechanism experiences extreme loads, its body will break in this very place. Otherwise, the strut may break anywhere, breaking through the bottom of the car and causing harm to passengers or other mechanisms.
It is for safety reasons that the racks are not made too thick, which is why they often fail. Although non-original spare parts have a slightly larger diameter, which is a kind of compromise between safety and wear resistance.
Articulating stand device
The most popular currently are racks using a ball joint . Its design consists of two parts - a steel ball pin and a plastic seat with temperature-dynamic lubrication. The finger is pressed onto the top with a plastic or metal cap.
The hinge joints are always protected with sealed boots and lubricant. It ensures smoother operation of the mechanism and also increases its service life. The lubricant is frost-resistant, ensuring normal operation of the vehicle's chassis system in winter.
Sealed boot
To better understand the principle of operation of the rack, you need to remember that it is not rigidly connected to the stabilizer, providing limited movement of the elements combined into the mechanism. When turning a car at speed, its natural roll occurs. In this case, the same forces act on the body, and on the suspension - directed in the opposite direction. If they are not compensated for, there is a risk of breakage of the associated elements - the stabilizer and the hub eye. Thus, the stabilizer link is a damper that receives and dampens large multidirectional forces. However, during operation, under the influence of the mentioned forces, a gradual destruction of the hinge joints occurs. As a result, the racks become unusable.
Some foreign automakers produce adjustable stabilizer bars (for example, the Nissan Patrol GR has an electronically switchable anti-roll bar). There are also SUVs in which the operation of the stabilizer and its struts is controlled by an ECU.
Do-it-yourself restoration and repair (with photo)
Faulty racks should be dismantled. This procedure is performed with a standard tool. You may need a ball joint remover. Depending on the design of the rack, it should be replaced or repaired.
- Ball joints are practically irreparable. There are repair mixtures that are injected into the hinge and, when hardened, eliminate the play. This method is questionable, the effect will be short-lived.
Advice! To prevent wear of the stabilizer ball joints, the boots should be checked regularly. If a crack or tear appears, the rubber should be replaced.
- Earrings are the easiest option in terms of repair and restoration. Only rubber couplings are subject to wear; the strut stud can only be damaged in the event of a serious accident. All you need to do is purchase a rubber repair kit, disassemble the rack and install new elastic elements. They look something like this:
The choice of bushing material depends on the driving style and the owner’s love for comfort - Silent blocks are somewhat more difficult to change, but independent repairs are still possible.
Pressing in silent blocks can also be done using homemade devices.
If ready-made repair kits exist, that’s good. If not, choose the appropriate diameter. It is important not to make a mistake with the diameter of the hole in the metal bushing, otherwise the stand will hang on the support pin. Dismantling and pressing of the silent block can be done with a homemade press based on a jack.
You will need a hydraulic jack for this work.
Important! The installation of restored racks has its own peculiarities. Secure (but do not tighten) the mounting nuts and lower the vehicle to its normal position, then perform final tightening. More details about the installation are described here.
If the stabilizer struts are not suitable for repair, they should be replaced with new ones. You can read more about replacing stabilizer struts here.
Self-diagnosis and repair of stabilizer struts is not difficult for an experienced car enthusiast. By servicing your car, you not only save money. Familiarity with the design adds confidence during operation; you will not be taken by surprise on a long journey.
Stabilizer link malfunctions
Let's take a closer look at what kind of stabilizer strut malfunctions car owners most often encounter.
Signs of a rack malfunction
So, the main signs that indicate that the stabilizer links are completely or partially out of order are:
- If the car has a strut with a ball joint, then in 90% of cases the main sign of its failure is a knock when driving on a rough road , in particular, when driving over speed bumps. Naturally, the knock comes from the side of the wheel where the strut has failed. If the stand is on a bushing, then diagnostics are more difficult to carry out. In this case, the knock may be quiet and will not be heard in the cabin.
- When driving on a flat road, the car begins to “ drift ”, that is, it is difficult to keep it in the rut, it is necessary to constantly steer.
- When entering a turn, the car rolls much more than it did before.
- Excessive rocking of the car body during acceleration or braking.
Typical problems
Failed strut joint
The main problems are related to the hinge mounts. The first is the failure of the boot . Because of this, dirt and debris get into the mechanism, which leads to excessive wear. The second typical problem is that over time, the ball pin race wears out , as a result of which the ball pin begins to “beat” in the seat. This leads to it breaking.
Repairing a broken rack is quite difficult and requires factory equipment. In particular, it is theoretically possible to replace the ball pin or bushing. However, this work will be expensive and exceed the price of a new rack.
Therefore, repairing stabilizer struts is impractical . It is much easier to replace them with new ones. Currently, a large number of non-original, but quite high-quality spare parts are sold on car markets. We will talk about them below.
Characteristic signs
As you know, stabilizers are necessary in order to adapt a vehicle to driving in different conditions and on different roads. The name itself suggests that these elements stabilize the behavior of the car.
To connect the front and rear stabilizers to the suspension elements, struts are used. This is the connecting link between the suspension and stabilizers.
But it happens that extraneous noise in the form of knocking begins to come from this link. This may apply to both the front and rear stabilizer struts.
If you notice a possible knocking sound from the stabilizer struts, since the sound emanating from there does not always indicate a breakdown of this particular unit, you need to look at additional characteristic signs.
In addition to knocking, the following symptoms occur when the racks malfunction:
- when turning, the car body rolls in different directions;
- when driving on uneven sections of the road, the car spontaneously changes its direction of movement;
- the trip is accompanied by rumbling noises from the stabilizer joints;
- The suspension becomes loose during acceleration and braking.
Many motorists ask questions about why the struts are flying, whether it is possible to drive in such a situation, and how this could turn out.
This is interesting: Antifreeze for Volkswagen Polo sedan: which one to choose, replacement
How to check stabilizer links
Inspecting ball joint struts is easy. The simplest method is to rock the car from side to side in a direction transverse to the movement of the car. If the swinging occurs without effort, this is the first sign that the hinge group has failed or is close to it. If the strut is faulty, you will hear a familiar characteristic knock from the wheel side.
Second method. You need to turn the wheelset completely to the side. After this you can get directly to the racks. Check for play by hand . Rock the car yourself or with the help of an assistant. If there is any play, you will feel it to the touch. If, when turning the wheels, there is no access to the racks, drive the car into the inspection hole. This way you are guaranteed to get the necessary access. Otherwise, the procedure is similar - one person rocks the car, the other feels and listens to the racks.
When checking, be sure to pay attention to the condition of the anthers . If they are torn or there are oil leaks under them, there is a high probability of significant or complete wear of the stabilizer struts. This is especially true if you bought a used car. If the anthers are in poor condition, check the struts as well.
When using another method, it is necessary to remove the wheels from the car, first jacking it up and placing a reliable stop under the ball in order to unload the stabilizer. This will give you access to the rack mounts. Next, you need to unscrew the upper fastening (nut) and perform similar loosening in order to make sure whether the sound arises from the lower fastening. If it is, you will have to change the rack.
If your car has bushing-mounted struts, then diagnosing them is even easier. To do this, it is enough to visually check whether the rubber is being “eaten up” on one side. Otherwise, metal parts will come into contact and a natural knock will occur.
Note! Currently, there is no special equipment at car services that would show that it is the rack that is faulty. Therefore, before going to a service station, conduct your own diagnostics or ask an experienced technician to help you. Otherwise, there is a risk that the technicians will charge you extra money for eliminating non-existent “faults.”
Repair procedure
see also
Throttle valve: device, cleaning and repair
Now directly about what the car owner has to do as part of diagnostics and repairs caused by knocking of the stabilizer struts on the vehicle.
The sequence of procedures will be approximately as follows:
- After raising the car using jacks or a lift, check the geometry of the struts. If it is broken, the machine cannot be operated;
- Inspect the front hinges. If there are defects in anthers, bushings or silent blocks, they need to be replaced;
- Rock the car to see where the sounds are coming from. But this can only be done in the inspection hole, and not by lifting the car on jacks;
- When checking the suspension, be sure to unload it and remove everything unnecessary from the car;
- If the racks are in good working order, there should be no play or noise when rocking and tugging the elements;
- If the racks fail, they will have to be dismantled. It's not that difficult, but it's worth arming yourself with a ball joint remover.
In most cases, stabilizer struts on cars are not suitable for repair. Therefore, the essence of the work being carried out comes down to replacing elements. Moreover, you can change them even in a garage, with your own hands.
You can watch the video for an example of replacing racks and highlight a lot of new things for yourself.
How to change stabilizer links
It’s worth mentioning right away that replacing stabilizer struts will differ for different brands and models of cars. But as a rule, the procedure is not difficult and is accessible even to inexperienced car owners. To do this, you need to have a jack and plumbing tools - wrenches, hexagons, a pry bar (depending on the car model). The front and rear struts are different for most cars. The front ones are long, the back ones are short.
Note! It is recommended to change the stabilizer struts in pairs (right and left at the same time), even if only one of them is knocking.
The first thing you need to remember before starting work on replacing struts is that the axle of the car where the spare part is supposed to be changed must be completely suspended , that is, the stabilizer and strut must be in an unloaded state. This can be achieved by jacking it up on one side, and then installing the ball on the stand. Otherwise, even if you can dismantle the old rack, you will not install the new one correctly. Statistically, this is the main reason for premature rack failure.
, do not damage the anthers under any circumstances . If they are in poor condition, replace them. After all, the service life of the rack directly depends on their integrity.
Remember that after replacing the stabilizer struts, there is NO need to do a wheel alignment check, since they do not affect the wheel alignment.
Replacing the front stabilizer bar on a Ford Focus
Diagnostics and replacement of struts on TOYOTA RAV4 2002
We also advise you to familiarize yourself with the video instructions for replacing struts on Chevrolet Cruze and Renault Logan.
When should you change?
Racks need to be changed periodically. How often depends on your driving style. Some motorists are accustomed to driving along the road for their own pleasure, without noticing potholes, sharp turns, speed bumps, while others monitor the road more clearly, and accordingly, their racks last much longer.
Stabilizer link wear
But how can you determine if a stabilizer link is faulty? There are several methods that mechanics recommend, and many drivers have tried them. These methods are considered the most correct, they include:
- noise check;
- turning the steering wheel all the way;
- strong roll when turning;
- checking lubrication.
Car enthusiasts recommend using all methods in turn. To some extent, this list is also an algorithm for identifying a malfunction. If you try all four methods, the driver can find out for sure whether the struts need to be changed.
Rack Installation
Like many other important parts of a car, the stabilizer bar makes noise because it wants to, but cannot, perform its functions. It cannot be compared with anything - a kind of roar and grinding sound at the same time, which is noticeable precisely when cornering. The sharper the turn, the louder the noise. Most drivers check the malfunction in this way, since this is more likely not a method, but a sign of a breakdown.
Stabilizer link diagnostics
There is another popular method, but it is used only by those who have the opportunity to lift the car on a lift. To do this, you will need to turn the steering wheel all the way several times, at which time your friend should touch the rack and feel the vibrations. If you turn the steering wheel quickly, you can again hear noise from the pillar, only this time your friend will see where it’s coming from. If this is observed, the stand definitely needs to be changed.
Car skidding
Also, while driving, the driver may feel discomfort. Of course, it will be felt during all the same turns and bumps. Experienced drivers know that if it skids, there is a problem in stabilizing the movement, which means the struts need to be changed. In fact, this method never tells for sure, since the skid begins gradually and sometimes the driver simply does not notice the effect until he hears this very roar.
Removing the stabilizer link
You can also check the rack for malfunction by directly interfering with its structure. This is easy to do - first you need to remove the car stand. Then both hinges are untwisted at the ends. Each of the hinges is equipped with a boot that protects it from the accumulation of dirt rising from the road surface.
Stabilizer link boot
Under the boot there is lubricant placed there by the manufacturer. If the strut is in a faulty condition, under the boot there will no longer be grease, but dirt mixed with this very technical Vaseline. Drivers often do the tricky thing - they remove this mass under the boot and apply their own lubricant so as not to buy a new strut. You can use this spare part for a while longer.
Selection of stabilizer struts
Many car owners are interested in a reasonable question - what are the best stabilizer bars ? It’s worth saying right away that there is no and cannot be an unambiguous answer to this. There are many reasons for this. Firstly, it depends on the make of the car. Secondly, it depends on whether you are using an original or non-original spare part. Also in this case, it is worth considering the quality of the roads. For example, if the original imported rack of a foreign car is intended for use on European roads with a mileage of, for example, 50 thousand kilometers, then in our conditions it will be much less.
Recently, plastic stands have appeared on the market. They fully meet the declared characteristics and are safe, since in an accident they are completely destroyed without causing harm to the car and passengers.
Why do stabilizer links die and what to look for when buying
The main thing is to choose those racks that are designed for your car by the manufacturer. First of all, this concerns size . After all, even 1-2 centimeters of their length can play a critical role in the operation of the suspension. Interchange of struts from different models is possible only within the same car manufacturer (for example, struts from Ford Focus are also suitable for Ford Fiesta, Ford Escort, Ford Ka from 1995-2001). Such information is usually indicated on the packaging of new racks. Be sure to pay attention to this when purchasing.
Rocking car
Failure of the anti-roll bar leads to excessive swaying of the car, which is observed during:
- trains over bumps;
- braking;
- occurrences turn;
- acceleration
If you do not pay attention to the rocking of the car, this may result in loss of control over it. As a result, the car will fly off the road or roll over.
In addition to the swaying of the car from the suspension side, there are other signs of a malfunction of the stabilizer link. The chassis becomes softer, and road surface unevenness is “swallowed” better. Due to the improvement in comfort with broken knuckles, many car owners recommend dismantling them even on fully functional cars.
The best stabilizer links
We have collected information on the Internet about popular manufacturers of stabilizer struts, reviews of which we provide for you.
LEMFORDER (Germany). A reputable company that produces spare parts for such car brands as General Motors, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Opel, VW, Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Volvo, Ford, Fiat and others. The products are distinguished by excellent quality and innovative technologies used. Note! Sometimes Lemforder packaging may contain CTR stands . Please check this when purchasing.
| Positive reviews | Negative reviews |
| One of the sellers did not recommend trying Lemforber products, saying they were cheap and not bad. Compared to other manufacturers of spare parts for the aftermarket, the Germans came out on top. I installed their struts on the Opel Omega B, Opel Vectra C, and now I’m installing them on the Hyundai Santa Fe NEW. | Lemforder does not manufacture anything for Japanese or Korean cars, but only packages spare parts from third-party manufacturers. In 2000, Lemforder was absorbed by ZF, and since then, apparently, everything has deteriorated. |
| Yes, spare parts from this company are distinguished by their quality and durability. How many times have I installed them on my cars, they surprised me, they last quite a long time, I think you can go at least 30-35 thousand. | Ordered LEMFERDER; Six months passed and they knocked again. By the way, in the summer of 2014 I changed one steering tip, also on LEMFERDER, so the leather cranks arrived in six months. |
TOPRAN (Germany/China). The company is a packer of various parts produced in different countries of the world (23 countries in total, including China, where most of the spare parts come from). Therefore, when choosing, you need to look at the country code on the packaging where the part was manufactured.
| Positive reviews | Negative reviews |
| I put it on the Opel Omega A. It's been 30+ thousand, so far everything is ok. They're worth the money. | Neither good nor bad. Something in between. A friend rode, but I didn’t take it. |
| A stand is a consumable item by definition. I bought it at Exist. We arrived, everything is ok, it’s already 50 thousand, there are no creaks or knocks. | Rare shit! Apparently they are made from plasticine. After 5 thousand she knocked. I don't recommend it to anyone. |
SASIC (France). All spare parts are manufactured in Normandy (France). They are used for French cars (Renault, Peugeot, Citroen). They are distinguished by quality and low price.
| Positive reviews | Negative reviews |
| Before that, there were “Chinese”, they burst after 10 thousand. I decided to buy Sasik. I liked that the body was so massive, I don’t know. In short, they're walking for now. Already 15 thousand | After 5 thousand km they sank and it was already visible; on my car, the top of the strut fastener rises above the glass when the support sag. I must say that my ground clearance is quite high, the support bearings worked fine, so I drove in this condition for about 20 thousand km. |
| What pleases is the price. One hell of a knock will come early or late. why overpay? I have a Renault Logan. They stand for two months - the flight is normal, there is no knocking. | In general, 2 weeks ago I changed the stabilizer struts to Sasic, it’s not a cheap analogue at all, it seems to be popular, today on business I went to the service center, they lifted the car, as usual, I walked around and inspected the suspension and found out that my brand new stabilizer struts had burst!!! BOTH!!! Fuck you, comrades, no words!!! |
GMB (Japan). A Japanese company that produces spare parts mainly for Japanese and Korean cars (but not only) - Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia, Renault, Suzuki, GM. Features original Japanese quality.
| Positive reviews | Negative reviews |
| I set GMB - at the moment I have traveled more than 35 kilomiles, no problems (ugh three times). | No negative reviews found |
| I remember putting these on my old Pajero. He is Japanese and is Japanese. Everything was clear and coordinated, there were no problems. I sold the car with him. |
CTR (South Korea). A company that at one time separated from the Japanese GMB. Currently produces spare parts for such cars as Hyundai, KIA, GM, FORD and many others. It is distinguished by quality and low price.
| Positive reviews | Negative reviews |
| I purchased the racks two months ago, I am very pleased with the racks, they hold up well, nothing crunches on the jars, nothing falls out. I recommend these racks. The racks are easy to install, the price is good, and the quality is good. | A friend had these for about 2-3 months, then they just cracked and that’s it. I bought them from me and have had them for 8 months without any problems, although these ones are even more expensive. In general, if there are no other options, then it will do for the first time, but you will still have to look for a replacement later. |
| The stabilizer struts are only Korean CTR and are one hundred percent no worse than the original. advantages: increased service life, reasonable price compared to original stabilizer struts, excellent road stability, always available in auto parts stores | Good afternoon. I installed stabilizer struts on FF2. Passed 10t. km (for 1 year) they rattled, the anthers separated. The ride is neat. I won't install these again. I read a lot of positive reviews, took it from Ekzist, is it really a fake? |
Sidem (Belgium). One of the world leaders in the production of auto parts for the steering of a wide variety of cars. It has official representative offices in 80 countries. However, there is a possibility of purchasing spare parts made in China that are not of good quality.
| Positive reviews | Negative reviews |
| Provided you find old Belgian ones there will be no problems. | In general, Sidem has been producing spare parts for suspension for a long time, and I had to purchase their products. Before, everything was fine. But in the last year I have had a persistent disgust and distrust towards them. Previously, spare parts lasted a really long time - now it’s like a lottery, you don’t know what you purchased will fail earlier than what Sidem promises us. Although the reviews about them are mostly still good. Recently, it seems to me that they have begun to save money and moved part of their production to China. |
| . | In general, in the spring I installed stabilizer bars from Sidem. I installed it for the first time to test the quality of the product. The product turned out to be complete guan. I changed the oil once again and decided to check how these struts feel. At that time, I drove eight thousand on them. I was simply amazed when I tried to “stagger” them, they were dangling. It seems that in size. In short, I tightened them. After driving another three thousand, I began to hear the knocking of the struts. There is no point in tightening it up anymore, I will change it. |
Links Master (Russia, Tver). A new Russian enterprise that is just gaining momentum. The products belong to the middle and low price segment. Unfortunately, due to the youth of the company, we were not able to find reviews about the products. However, there is an opinion that the quality of these racks is inferior to imported ones. Therefore, the responsibility for the purchase decision lies entirely with you (by the way, if you have experience using it, we will be grateful if you write in the reviews below).
We hope that the above information will help you decide on the answer to the question of which stabilizer struts to install on your car and which company to choose a spare part from.
Conclusion
Remember that the condition of the struts is affected not only by poor quality roads, but also by the driving style of the car owner. Choose the right speed limit on uneven roads and take care of the car’s suspension.
Never drive over bumps on the brakes. You need to stop the car only in front of the obstacle, and not on it. This will increase the life of your car's suspension, and in particular, the stabilizer links.
We recommend that you monitor the condition of your car's suspension and carry out repairs in a timely manner. This will save you from deterioration in control of the car, as well as wear and tear on individual parts. And this, in turn, will allow you to significantly save on repairs.
