Stabilizer Bar Link - BMW Forum

Rjb · 06-25-2009, 07:59 AM

I have a terrible rattle underneath my 05' 325ci which I assumed was the tailpipe, but the muffler shop stated one of the front stabilizer bars needed replaced. Would this make a rattle like a loose tailpipe does? My car has 61,000 miles so should it have worn out by now, and is this a safety issue? The guy said they are a snap to put on, so has anyone had any experience in changing these? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated because the rattle is driving me NUTS!!!

chet31 · 06-26-2009, 07:34 PM

Found out today my rear stabilizer bar is "detached." Dealer quoted $127.35, including tax, shop supplies, etc. to repair it (2005 330I convert). However, they are not replacing the bar.

drz · 06-26-2009, 07:45 PM

Don't pay the dealership that much. The sway bar links will run you a total of around $35, and the labor is minor.

brucie · 06-26-2009, 07:55 PM

yes the droplinks would make a rattle , if you jack up the car and remove the wheel with a bit of a shake you should be able to move it easily, you will also notice the rubber is split around the ball, which means the grease on the ball is gone and its knackered

Rjb · 06-29-2009, 04:02 PM

Update ~ It WAS the stabilizer bar end links that were making my noise. I paid $22.00 for the part and it was a snap to replace, maybe 20 miuntes. I read somewhere you should replace in pairs, so I am ordering another one for the other side. If anyone needs to see how easy they are to replace, I have included a link that gives step by step. I mean if I (a girl) can do it, anyone can.

BMW E34 Website

drz · 06-29-2009, 09:20 PM

Cool :-) Yes, always replace in pairs.

chet31 · 07-09-2009, 12:53 AM

Based on your comments, I told the dealer that this was an easy job, threatened to do it myself, and they did it for $50, including labor. Although not my thread, thanks for the comments.

drz · 07-09-2009, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet31

Based on your comments, I told the dealer that this was an easy job, threatened to do it myself, and they did it for $50, including labor. Although not my thread, thanks for the comments.

Sweet success story

Rjb · 08-06-2009, 12:55 PM

It is me again with yet another question. Since I replaced the end links on the front, should I also replace them on the back? I started thinking that since the front were worn out, wouldn't it make sense the back ones would be also? Or do the front get more wear & tear because of the steering?? Hope that's not a dumb question.

NANCYM · 11-02-2009, 10:11 AM

Your comments were so helpful to me, which I will get to in one moment. Please allow me to tell you my "story".

Would you believe I had my brakes changed and the mechanic just handed me one of my stablizer "bushings" I think they are called. (You call them "links" ??) He said nothing so I assumed I didn't need it (them). After a year of just driving kids around, a friend of mine was in my car and commented on the front end rattle. I remembered the stabilizer bushing which I threw into my trunk after the brakes were fixed.

Thanks to you, and whether I do it myself or not, I will not pay "big money" to correct this issue.

You're my kind of gal!

Thank You,

Nancy Marshall

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rjb

I have a terrible rattle underneath my 05' 325ci which I assumed was the tailpipe, but the muffler shop stated one of the front stabilizer bars needed replaced. Would this make a rattle like a loose tailpipe does? My car has 61,000 miles so should it have worn out by now, and is this a safety issue? The guy said they are a snap to put on, so has anyone had any experience in changing these? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated because the rattle is driving me NUTS!!!

jimmythepie · 11-02-2009, 10:23 AM

go girls.

NANCYM · 11-02-2009, 10:46 AM

Thanks Jimmy! Everyone loves a liberated guy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmythepie

go girls.

Rjb · 11-04-2009, 11:03 AM

Nancy ~ Thanks for sharing your story. I'm sure you would have no problem replacing the stablizer bar end links yourself if you decide to do so. The only challange I ran into was I "almost" wasn't physically strong enough to loosen a rusted on nut. So I just found a cheater bar, and it broke free in a snap.

Please keep us updated.

CanadianWraith · 11-04-2009, 05:40 PM

if you are going to replace swaybar links and trailarm bushings it's well worth spending a little extra and switch to polyurethane

NANCYM · 11-05-2009, 05:19 PM

Thanks for yet another tip, loving this site!