How to find the right Automotive Performance Sway Bar Bushings AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Automotive Performance Sway Bar Bushings
- Inner diameter match
- The bushing bore must equal the bar diameter at the mount, measured with calipers, not estimated. Too large a bore clunks and lets the bar shift. Too small a bore binds and tears the bushing.
- Bracket compatibility
- The outer shape and width must fit your existing brackets, or the kit must include brackets. Aftermarket bushings for a larger bar often need different brackets than stock.
- Material
- Rubber gives OE quietness. Polyurethane is firmer and quicker to respond. Hard plastic or Delrin types are for track use. Firmer material sharpens the bar's response but can transmit more noise and needs maintenance.
- Lubrication design
- Polyurethane bushings need the supplied grease, ideally with internal grease grooves or greasable brackets. Dry polyurethane is the main cause of squeaking.
- Slotted vs solid
- Slotted bushings can install over the bar without removing it. Solid ones need the bar off or the end links disconnected. This decides how hard the install is, especially when the bar is trapped by the subframe.
Brands that matter
- Energy Suspension: Polyurethane bushings, including universal bushings sold by diameter.
- Prothane: Polyurethane bushings, many with grease-grooved bores.
- Whiteline: Polyurethane bushings sized for its own bars and for OE bars.
- SuperPro: Polyurethane bushings in many diameters, popular for Australian and Japanese platforms.
- Powerflex: Polyurethane bushings, strong in European platforms.
- Moog: Rubber bushings as OE-style replacements.
What to avoid
- Ordering a bushing size based on the car model alone when a previous owner may have changed the bar.
- Installing polyurethane bushings without grease.
- Reusing rusted or deformed brackets with new bushings.
- Fitting a bushing that is larger than the bar and shimming it.
Questions
Will polyurethane sway bar bushings squeak?
They can if they are dry. Grease them thoroughly at install with the supplied lubricant, and re-grease them if noise returns. Grease-grooved bores or greasable brackets reduce the problem.