The stabilizer bar -- sometimes called a sway bar -- in your 1996 Mustang controls body roll during hard cornering without causing the suspension to be unnecessarily stiff over bumps in the road. Over time, the bushings that attach the stabilizer bar to the chassis of the car will become worn or broken. Handling problems and noises will occur when the bushings can no longer rigidly attach the bar to the chassis. Routine inspection of the stabilizer-bar bushings and end-link bushings, and replacement when they are worn, will prevent these problems.
Instructions
- 1
Safely raise and support the front of the Mustang, using wheel chocks behind the rear wheels and a floor jack. Place jack stands under the front sub-frame and lower the car onto the stands. Apply the parking brake.
2Slide under the front of the car with a flashlight. Locate the stabilizer bar attachment point on the front frame, near the fender well. Visually inspect the stabilizer-bar bushings for excessive swelling from oil contamination, cracks and splits. A good clue that the bushing is worn is the presence of polished areas on the stabilizer bar, on either side of the bushings. Replace the bushings if any of these problems are observed.
3Inspect the end-link bushings that attach the ends of the stabilizer bar to the lower control arms. Replace the end-link bushings if they are cracked, split, loose, or missing.
4Inspect the power steering rack-and-pinion-mount bushings, as well. These bushings are often overlooked and can lead to the same noise symptoms as worn stabilizer-bar bushings. The rack-and-pinion unit is mounted to the front sub-frame, behind the stabilizer bar. Replace the mounting bushings if they are cracked, slit or missing to restore proper steering performance.
