dred

I got a 1200km road trip planned next week.
so this weekend i jacked up the ol civic and checked my
tie rods and stuff and noticed I can push my front sway bar
links quit easily.
I can't see them doing much like that.
Should I replace them before the trip?
Will they snap off or just get sloppier I guess is the question.

I see there are many after markets and a set of hondas are 100 bux.

ezone

That statement alone doesn't tell me anything.
You can push them around as far as the sway bar will allow flex. Normal.
The links will pivot a bit; they use ball-and-socket type joints. Normal.

If they aren't causing pop noises, and don't have free play in the joints, they are fine.

dred

i mean when i use palm of my hand and push on it i can push it
over easy
I realize it should move but if it is that easy wow what is it doing.

ezone

Sounds like you are merely flexing the sway bar.
That is nothing more than a tubular, shaped spring.
It is supposed to flex.
It HAS to flex.


The sway bar is also mounted in rubber bushings, and you may be able to slide the entire bar sideways a little on some cars.

Normal.

Matt_75

So I have a popping noise on the down side of a speed bump on my driver side and when I push on the sway bar link joint on my driver side, it moves freely. Are the joints suppose to spin a little or not at all?

ezone

They are free to pivot, rotate, spin, twist, and move.

But there should not be free play that allows them to POP.

Grab the sway bar itself right at the very end where the link attaches, push/pull straight up and down....is there free play? If they were the source of a pop noise, you would feel it. (both wheels must be at the same height or dangle so the bar it unloaded)

Matt_75

Good to know.

Will do. I wasn't sure how to really check them. Thanks for the advice.

Matt_75

So stabilizer links seem solid, but.....I did find this. These were replaced once already in '07. I guess it's more of a thunk than a pop. I'm thinking the control arm is hitting the frame and that's the thunk I'm hearing over a speed bump.

Driver's side


Passenger side



I already called the dealership I would take it too. It's more cost effective parts and labor wise to let them press them out then it is for me to buy 2 lower control arms from majestic. I don't have access to a press.

They told me I should have a wheel alignment done, but I have the option not too. At $90 for the alignment, will these torn bushings effect the alignment that much? I'll spend the money, I just want to know if it's really necessary.

ezone

You should be able to push the arms up and down over those bushings and make contact with the subframe, yeah that would be a noise.
Crappy roads much?



The original struts always were a good candidate for being noisy too.


Yes on the alignment.

Matt_75

Yeah, I could pull the driver side up and make contact with the frame.


6th worst in the nation.

http://www.mainstreet.com/slideshow/...worst-roads-us

Will do.

I just called the dealership again and ask them if they would install the bushings from the below link. They said they would. I'm thinking these won't rot away yet again in 5 years like these ones did. I'm always for OEM, but I think the below product is probably superior to the OEM bushings in this case.

04 Honda Civic

iTrader: (2)

If your tires are wearing uneven you should get an alignment.

BTW if your creative you can do those bushings yourself.
I dont have a press, but had some pipes laying around and a vise.
With some common sense, and being careful, along with small pieces of pipe to fit over the bushing you can get it done.

I am pretty sure I have saved myself $100+ by doing that.
Three+ years later and they are still ok.

Honda rubber sucks.

Matt_75

My tire are not wearing uneven as far as I can tell.

Agreed, but I don't have some pipes laying around or a vice. I do have common sense, a parking stall, an apartment and a very small padio with a small tool box.

Good for you. I'd do the same if I could. I was happy I probably saved 600-800 mcdoubles(ezones term for money) in labor cost doing my own head gasket job.

1000% agree, at least in the case of these compliance bushings.