Symptoms of a failing Front Stabilizer Bar Bushing

Car is handling poorly

Look, here’s the simple, but important truth: You should have a strong feel for how your car drives. That way you’ll know the moment that something is off, and you can address it immediately. Which you should. So, on that note, if your front stabilizer bar bushings start to wear out, the bar will be able to move back and forth. The sole purpose of the bar is that it doesn’t move, and that stabilizes the car. So, when that is compromised, the car will have a lack of stability. And that leads to a steering system that will feel a bit unresponsive. Your car may feel a little delayed in turning, and the steering will feel heavier than it usually does.

Weird noises

If your car’s front stabilizer bar bushings are wearing out, they’re likely to start yapping at you, with one of two different noises. The first noise is a squeaking sound, which is the result of a loss of lubrication in the bushings. It’s a bit like a high-pitcher metal-on-metal friction, which is just as nice as that description sounds. Which is to say, yes, it’s highly annoying. You also might hear a rattling or knocking noise. This happens when the bushings begin to fail, and the stabilizer bar is able to rattle around. Both of these noises will be heard primarily during times that your car uses the stabilizer bar, such as when making sharp turns, or when driving over bumps in the road.