It Just Up and Broke!

[Ausumm]

This past weekend, my rear stabilizer bar broke!
The one side is hanging down under the vehicle.
I haven't noticed any difference in ride or handling...
so I am wondering how concerned I should be about fixing it?

Obviously, I want to take care of it, but my budget always sucks in the Spring.
Any idea on how much the repair/replacement would cost? (average)
And idea on what bad things could happen if I wait?

thanks in advance

Mike

(PS, I did search and add this post on an old thread...but got no replies)

 

[YotaDriver]

I'm only repeating what I've read here, but you shouldn't have any problems if you just remove what's left of your stabilizer bar for the time being. People who off-road their rigs regularly seem to remove them to allow for more flex, so I doubt it'd hurt to drive yours until your budget allows a replacement...if you even feel the need to do that.

 

[mrpurplepenguin]

This past weekend, my rear stabilizer bar broke!
The one side is hanging down under the vehicle.
I haven't noticed any difference in ride or handling...
so I am wondering how concerned I should be about fixing it?

Obviously, I want to take care of it, but my budget always sucks in the Spring.
Any idea on how much the repair/replacement would cost? (average)
And idea on what bad things could happen if I wait?

thanks in advance

Mike

(PS, I did search and add this post on an old thread...but got no replies)

Just a little clarification on "stabilizer bar":

What part actually broke - the sway bar, one of the sway bar end links, a mount for it, or the panhard bar to the rear axle?

I'm guessing it's probably a sway bar end link that broke - those are pretty cheap and decently easy to replace. You'll notice the rear rolls a bit more during cornering with it broken, but it won't be anything major. Like YotaDriver said, many people who 4wd regularly will intentionally disconnect or remove the rear swaybar to allow more suspension articulation.

If it's the panhard bar that's failed, get it replaced quickly. That's the major structural member keeping your axle from walking out the side of your truck.

 

[duffdog]

Just throw the rest of it in the trash. If you have aftermarket rear springs, the sway bar is useless.

 

[CXS]

Just a little clarification on "stabilizer bar":

What part actually broke - the sway bar, one of the sway bar end links, a mount for it, or the panhard bar to the rear axle?

I'm guessing it's probably a sway bar end link that broke...

The OP said one side was hanging so it sounds like the sway bar itself broke in half. Mine did, just split in 2 and made awful noise with the broken ends rubbing. It's a $100+ from Toyota and is hollow which surprised me.

I noticed a change in handling but not enough to matter. I pull a trailer so I had to put a new one on but went with a solid aftermarket part.

 

[Ausumm]

It's the actual bar that broke, and it is solid.
I don't have any aftermarket parts,
I don't go off road,
and I do use a trailer now and then.

So what I am being told is that is generally NOT a problem,
unless it's the panhard bar (not sure what that is..)

Here are two pics for reference.

 

[Drunner97]

Too bad you don't live in California, my rear sway bar is just collecting dust in the garage.

 

[techno]

So what I am being told is that is generally NOT a problem,
unless it's the panhard bar (not sure what that is..)

Obviously you can go to google to find out what the panhard bar is and does, but here's a decent picture showing one. It's the bar with the sticker on it. You will see that one end is bolted to the axle housing on the drivers side and the other end is bolted to the chassis on the passenger side. This bar locates the axle laterally, or left-to-right, but still allows up and down motion. If it was broken or not there, the other suspension parts are not strong enough to stop the axle moving left and right, so the axle could come right out the side when you went around a corner and you'd crash. And that would be bad.

 

[Ausumm]

Obviously you can go to google to find out what the panhard bar is and does, but here's a decent picture showing one.

Definitely not the panhard bar. It's the bar that runs along the rear axle...
kinda like this one

 

[Ausumm]

Too bad you don't live in California, my rear sway bar is just collecting dust in the garage.

My daughter lives in Woodland Hills, California. :redface:
(but that doesn't really help, does it)

So, my question still stands...
is this a serious problem. or can it wait?

 

[CXS]

I'd replace it before towing but otherwise just take it off.

 

[Drunner97]

My daughter lives in Woodland Hills, California. :redface:
(but that doesn't really help, does it)

So, my question still stands...
is this a serious problem. or can it wait?

It can wait. You still have a front sway bar and you're going to notice more of a difference without the front than with the rear. I'd get it fixed before towing though.

 

[Ausumm]

Thanks everyone.
Eases my mind for now!

:bluejump::bluejump: