Stock

[007ben]

I was poking around my car today and noticed what appears to be a sway bar. is this stock or aftermarket or even a sway bar?

[clubin]

I can't believe you just happened to post this today. Just two hours ago, I took my Volvo out to get a tire put on. When the wheel was off, I started examining... I saw the various springs, arms, joints and, most notably, what I thought must have been a sway bar (due to the certain curved shape of it). It was neat to see and be able to recognize all the parts I hear talked about around here.

It was also a good feeling to have coincidentally also gotten a chance to further apply the knowledge I've been picking up here and elsewhere in spotting and diagnosing a problem in my Mom's Camry today. Just like I've read of our E36'es, her Camry's radiator top ("shoulder", I think I've heard?) was plastic and it was busted. It was cracked and the nastiest coolant (a muddy maroon color) you've ever seen was splattered about the underside of the hood. New, metal radiatior is now in! :]

Can't wait to get my E36 and really start to learnin'! :]]

P.S.: the thing I figured for the sway bar was just what your referring to, so either we're both right or we're both wrong, but I'm pretty certain it's the former.

[El Presidente]

stock.

[jllphan]

yup. Looks like your stock sway bar. Or if not, you me both have aftermarket sways-LOL

[Kevin325i]

Yeah those are stock. Very nice condition too. The bushings look like they're in good shape.

Kevin

[bitcore]

How can you tell the bushings are fine?

[CiscoKid]

they arent cracked

[007ben]

woohoo good bushings...

[Kevin325i]

I'll go take a picture of my bushings later for comparison. :P

Another way to let if they're going bad is if they're just plain worn out. Mine aren't cracked, but theyre way over stretched and you can tell, well atleast on a couple. I'll have the wheels off later this week and take a picture.

Kevin

[BlantonG13]

It all looks in good condition, but an aftermarket one would probably look a lot newer, probably a different/shinier looking color (at least when it is cleaned off).

[dutchbmw]

It stabilizes the front wheels.

[007ben]

Yes it does dutch.