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Stabilizer Bar Links Replacement Cost Estimate

Worried you might overpay for your stabilizer bar links replacement? Use Jerry’s GarageGuard to get fair cost estimate for your stabilizer bar links replacement.
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John Davis
Expert Automotive Writer
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Reviewed by Kathleen Flear, Director of Content
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Edited by Jessica Barrett, Senior Car & Insurance Editor
The average cost to replace sway bar links is $106-$145. But those prices represent averages, and the actual total cost you’ll pay depends on your car and location.
How long does it take to replace stabilizer bar links? Replacement times can vary from car to car. But generally, a mechanic will take between 30 minutes and one hour to perform the service.
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How did we estimate these prices?

Jerry's experts researched and collected data from 2500+ real repair shops in all 50 states in the US, including everything from the total cost of repair services to the hourly labor cost for mechanic labor in each shop. We combined that data with our expert database of hundreds of real repair jobs, thousands of real cars, millions of real car part prices in order to best estimate the cost of each repair service. Our labor cost estimate is calculated by taking the average hourly labor rate for a certified mechanic in the US, times the number of hours it takes on average to complete a repair. We recommend you compare your local shops with Jerry and contact those shops directly to get final pricing for your vehicle.
You should check your vehicle repair guide or
owner’s manual
for model-specific repair information. But here’s a basic overview of what you may require:
  • Stabilizer bar links: These are the primary parts you’ll replace. New sway bar links can cost between $30 and $100.
  • Bushings: If your new sway bar end links don’t come with new rubber bushings, you may have to purchase them separately. These can cost $5 to $20 per set.
You can purchase stabilizer bar link parts for your car from auto parts stores like AutoZone, NAPA Auto Parts, and Advance Auto Parts, as well as online retailers such as Amazon and RockAuto. Three of our recommended brands for stabilizer bar links are Moog, TRW Automotive, and ACDelco. For bushings, Moog, Energy Suspension, and Prothane are our recommended brands. Keep in mind that the best parts and brands for your stabilizer bar links replacement will vary depending on your vehicle’s year, make, and model.
For most automotive repair jobs, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are ideal—especially for newer vehicles.
OEM parts are produced by your car’s manufacturer precisely to fit your make and model. They come with a strong warranty and tend to be built with reliable and high-quality materials. Some disadvantages of OEM parts are that they can be expensive and difficult to find.
Aftermarket parts are sold by third-party companies and designed to fit a much broader range of vehicles. They’re usually cheaper than OEM parts but are often available in budget, premium, and performance versions. Aftermarket parts are a solid choice for older cars, drivers who want to lower their repair costs, and enthusiasts who want to upgrade their vehicles. 
You can purchase OEM parts from a dealership or authorized parts supplier. OEM parts are available at most auto parts stores—like AutoZone, NAPA Auto Parts, and Advance Auto Parts—and online retailers like Amazon and RockAuto.
If you don’t already visit a trusted auto repair shop, finding one can be challenging. Luckily, you can use Jerry's
GarageGuard™
to compare repair estimates and hourly rates from more than 2,500 shops around the nation.
Jerry's GarageGuard™ uses real hourly rates from local shops to provide fair price estimates. Use it to discover local diagnostic fees, budget for future maintenance work, and find the shops in your area with the best customer reviews.
Check out some of our vetted shops below and download the app to search for quality repair services in your neighborhood. 
155 Reviews
CT Auto and Towing LLC
address
42 Jansen Ct, Hartford, CT
Shop Diagnostic Fee
(Included in service charges)
$120
175 Reviews
Fuerst Automotive
address
8116 Broadview Rd, Cleveland, OH
Shop Diagnostic Fee
(Included in service charges)
$129
193 Reviews
Pep Boys Auto Parts & Service - Crenshaw & Rodeo #970
address
3737 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Shop Diagnostic Fee
(Included in service charges)
$100
171 Reviews
AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care - Hackensack
address
254 River St, Alpine, NJ
Shop Diagnostic Fee
(Included in service charges)
$100
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How did we vet these shops?

Jerry experts researched 2500+ real repair shops across the US. We talked to real shop customers, and analyzed both real shop pricing data and thousands of real customer reviews from each shop to verify them individually. We do not partner with the shops listed above, and our analysis is always unbiased.
These are the general steps a mechanic will follow to replace your stabilizer bar links:
  • Lift the car off the ground and support it with jack stands or a hydraulic lift
  • Remove the wheels—this may not be necessary for all vehicles
  • Locate the bad sway bar links—they’re usually at the front end of the car, near the wheels, but some cars have front and rear sway bars
  • Remove the sway bar links’ mounting bolts
  • Remove the old sway bar links
  • Check to ensure the new links match the old ones
  • Position the new stabilizer bar links and install the mounting bolts
  • Torque the bolts to the manufacturer’s specification
  • Replace the tires if applicable
  • Lower the car and torque the lug nuts to the appropriate specification
  • Test drive the car
If you don’t replace faulty sway bar links, you’ll likely face the following problems:
  • Reduced stability during turns: The job of the sway bar and sway bar links is to help maintain stability and prevent body roll while cornering and making tight turns. If the links are worn-out, your car’s stability may be compromised.
  • Excessive body roll: Without properly functioning sway bar links, you may experience increased body roll while turning. This can lead to reduced vehicle control and even rollovers in extreme situations.
  • Steering and handling issues: If the sway bar links fail, you’ll likely experience a loose or unresponsive steering wheel, and your car’s handling may suffer.
  • Uneven tire wear: The sway bar and links help your tires maintain contact with the road. If the links fail, your tires may wear unevenly.
  • Damage to other suspension components: Faulty sway bar links can put extra stress on other suspension parts, like ball joints, control arms, tie rod ends, struts, and sway bar bushings. This can lead to premature wear and expensive repairs.
  • Noise and vibration: Faulty sway bar links can create noises like squeaking, rattling, and clunking when driving over bumps or potholes. 
  • Safety issues: Bad sway bar links will put you at a higher risk of rolling your car, especially when turning at high speeds. 
Sway bar links—also known as stabilizer bar links and anti-roll bar links—are part of the suspension system in many vehicles. Their primary purpose is to connect the sway bar to the suspension system on the right and left sides of the car. They reduce body roll and maintain vehicle stability by transferring force between the sway bar and suspension.
There is no fixed replacement interval for the stabilizer bar links. Instead, you’ll need to replace yours when they break or fail. The top signs of faulty or broken sway bar links include:
  • Noisy suspension: One of the main signs of bad sway bar links is a noisy suspension. You may notice clunking or squealing noises from near the wheels if your stabilizer links are bad.
  • Loose or unresponsive steering: Bad sway bar links can cause your steering wheel to feel loose or unresponsive, especially when cornering. 
  • Increased body roll: When sway bar links fail, you’ll likely notice your car leans more heavily to one side while turning. 
While you should check the sway bar links as a part of your routine maintenance inspection, there is no fixed replacement interval for them. Instead, you’ll only need to replace yours if they break or fail. The most common signs of bad sway bar links include loose steering and clunking or rattling noises near the wheels. 
Yes—replacing your stabilizer bar links can be an excellent DIY project. It’s a relatively straightforward task, and it generally requires low-to-mid-level automotive experience. With the right guidance, even novices should have no issues replacing their sway bar links.
That said, if you’re uncomfortable performing the service yourself, you should visit a professional mechanic.

FAQs

You can drive with bad sway bar links, but it’s not a good idea. Driving with faulty stabilizer links puts you at a greater risk of rolling your vehicle or losing control, and you may even develop more expensive suspension damage. 
Yes, it’s definitely worth replacing sway bar links. The process is relatively simple and straightforward, and the replacement parts tend to be inexpensive. Compared to the consequences of driving without sway bar links—including decreased handling, increased tire wear, and safety risks—replacing the links is fairly easy and affordable.
Sway bar links can fail for many reasons, including the following:
  • Wear and tear
  • Driving conditions
  • Exposure to elements
  • Driving habits
  • Low-quality parts
  • Lack of maintenance 

Meet Our Experts

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John Davis
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Car Expert
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Certified mechanic with 10+ years of experience
John Davis is an expert automotive writer and former automotive mechanic. John's work spans multiple categories, and he relishes the opportunity to research a new subject and expand his area of expertise and industry knowledge. To date, John has written more than 200 articles covering car maintenance and care, car advice, how-to guides, and more.
Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team, John worked as a mechanic and freelance writer, creating content for clients including HotCars and SetPower.
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Jessica Barrett
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Car Expert
Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit.
Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.
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Kathleen Flear
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Car Expert
Kathleen Flear is an expert insurance writer and editor who heads up Jerry’s editorial team as director of content. Kathleen empowers drivers to make smart car ownership decisions through  best-in-class articles on insurance, loans, and maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry in 2021, Kathleen served as managing editor for a team of SEO content marketing professionals at Article-Writing.co and worked as a freelance writer and editor for a range of digital publications, including Chicago Literati magazine and Golden Words. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in creative writing and fiction from Sierra Nevada University.
*The price information provided on our car repair webpages is intended for general informational purposes only. Actual prices for car repair services may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to the make and model of your vehicle, the extent of repair required, and the prevailing market conditions. All prices for real repair shops are estimations based on our research only. Therefore, the prices listed on our webpages should not be considered as final quotes or binding offers.