DIY stabilizer struts repair

In detail: DIY repair of stabilizer struts from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Image - DIY stabilizer struts repair

Many motorists are interested in how to repair the stabilizer struts with their own hands. After all, replacing these parts is quite an expensive pleasure, it is much easier to repair this component of the suspension. Rebuilding the racks will cost significantly less, in some cases, you will not even need to buy consumables. Moreover, any driver can do it.

The work requires a minimum number of tools. Recovery methods depend on the characteristics of the rack itself, or rather on the features of attaching this part to the stabilizer and body.

DIY stabilizer struts repair has its own characteristics. They depend on what type of attachment is used in your car model. In total, you can find 2 varieties of this part:

  • Ball joints found on most modern cars. They have malfunctions due to the production of lubricant, as well as due to the wear of the hinges themselves. The restoration of such details is quite difficult, in some cases, it is simply impossible;
  • Bushings... This type of attachment is much less common. But, with such racks, there are much fewer problems.

Below we will look at both types of stabilizer struts.

Such racks are used much less frequently. Most often, such a solution can be seen on Mercedes, BMW, as well as on many cars except budget ones. Such racks are more reliable, they are also more maintainable. Although, some car enthusiasts prove the opposite. To repair such a rack, you will need to purchase new bushings. It is recommended to use polyurethane versions for this. This will significantly extend the life of the spare part.

Repairs are made in the following order:

  • It is necessary to remove the racks from the car. To do this, you will have to use a special puller. After that, be sure to inspect the condition of the stabilizer tips. If they show a lot of work, then it is best to replace the entire barbell. Otherwise, the bushings supplied will quickly fail again;
  • The removed support is clamped in a vice. Putting the head on the sleeve, knock it out with a hammer. This usually does not require much effort;
  • The new bushing is lubricated with oil. They put it in place, and hammer it with a mandrel;
  • Replacing both bushings on the support, it is installed in place. Do not forget to fasten it, each model may have a different fastening method.
Video (click to play).

In general, there are much fewer problems with such stands. They are made from quality iron. A small disadvantage is the shorter service life compared to ball joints. But, they change easily, so this cannot be called a disadvantage.

Conclusion... Rebuilding the stabilizer support will significantly reduce your car repair costs. Do-it-yourself stabilizer struts repair is not difficult. But, you need to take into account some features. The easiest way is to restore the struts with bushings. Ball joint variants are only recoverable for a short period of time.

The suspension is a multi-piece vehicle assembly. The set of this element contains a stabilizer, which is responsible for reducing the roll and skidding during cornering and braking, as well as for the stability of the car in any situation on the road. The struts act as stabilizer elements and take up a significant part of the loads due to their wide functionality. The main task of these parts is to reduce the rocking of the vehicle while driving.The struts link the suspension to the body, creating a single whole mechanism through which the system functions.

Many car owners are interested in the issue of self-repair and replacement of elements of the stabilizer struts. The fact is that carrying out a full replacement of such elements costs a considerable amount, and repairing at a service station is also an expensive pleasure. Independent high-quality repair of racks is an inexpensive and short-term process, and knowledge of tricks and nuances will allow each driver to carry out a set of work without prejudice to the current state of the car.

Image - DIY stabilizer struts repair

The repair process differs in some features, depending on the type of fastening used in the car model. Parts are of two types:

  • Ball joints are installed on a significant part of modern cars. They break due to insufficient lubricant production and wear. It can be problematic and sometimes impossible to restore such stabilizer elements.
  • Bushings - this type can be found much less often, however, there are not so many problems during operation.

Consider all the stabilizer struts and the subtleties of their own repair.

It is not easy to restore them, as already mentioned. Typically, the recovery process involves replenishing the amount of grease in the boot. The following actions are envisaged:

  1. Removing the support. The stages depend on the specific make and model of the machine, as well as on its technical features.
  2. Determination of wear. The finger needs to be wiggled and determined how easy it is to rotate. If there is a crunch, no repair is possible.
  3. Restoration of the flaring of the ring that secures the boot. For this, a tube is taken, which is placed in an upright position.
  4. The support is inserted with your finger down into the tube. Further, the retaining ring is removed with pliers.
  5. The boot is lifted with a screwdriver, which is then turned up, filled with lithol with a brush.
  6. The boot that covers the hinge must be sealed with a thin wire wrapped around the boot.
  7. The retaining ring is put in its original place, the hinge is checked for operability. Move and wiggle your finger with difficulty.

Attention! The part that has been restored has a lower resource compared to faulty elements, therefore, during operation, it is important to take into account that such supports can be driven after 1,000 km of run.

Typically, such models are used on expensive cars, they are distinguished by their suitability for repair.

To repair the rack with your own hands, you will need to acquire bushings, it is better to give preference to polyurethane options. This approach will make the life of the spare part longer.

The procedure for carrying out the work is quite simple:

  1. The stabilizer legs are removed with a special removable tool.
  2. The parts are inspected, and the condition of the stabilizer ends is taken into account: if there is a noticeable greater output, the rod is completely replaced.
  3. The support to be removed is clamped in a vice. Using a hammer, the head of the sleeve is knocked out. Usually, this stage of repairing racks with your own hands goes without problems.
  4. The new bushing is lubricated with oil and put in place of the old design, clogged. The main thing is to fix the element correctly, since each model has a different fastening method.
Read also:  DIY nilfisk high pressure washer repair

Such elements are distinguished by a long service life, since they are made of high quality iron. However, their service life is shorter than that of ball elements. But you can easily change them, so this factor is not considered a disadvantage.

Image - DIY stabilizer struts repair

Independent restoration and repair work will help reduce the costs of each driver associated with car repairs.The process of carrying out operations on your own is quite complicated, the main thing is that the racks are repaired in accordance with the recommendations of specialists. In the process of performing work, you need to take into account some features and nuances. Repair in the first case - with ball-type hinges - is carried out for a short time.

Image - DIY stabilizer struts repair

Image - DIY stabilizer struts repair Image - DIY stabilizer struts repair Image - DIY stabilizer struts repair Image - DIY stabilizer struts repair Image - DIY stabilizer struts repair Image - DIY stabilizer struts repair

Attention! Car service network of favorable prices. Camber check is FREE! No queues! Repair on the same day!

Download / Print topic
Download a theme in various formats, or view a printable version of the theme.

Many drivers are interested in the question of how to repair the stabilizer bar of a car with their own hands. You can restore the stabilizer struts without the help of workshops, without spending extra money, knowing a few nuances of repairing them. If they are replaced completely, then it is usually very expensive and unprofitable, therefore it is better to restore the front or rear struts (rods) of the machine.

The stabilizer struts perform the function of distributing the movement of the entire body of the machine, without them there would be strong shaking and swaying. The main reasons for their failure are pits, bumps, rough control, and temporary wear. There are a number of differences in these parts that should be considered when replacing shock struts yourself.

There are two types of fastening design:

  • Bushings are found in expensive cars, it is easy to change them, the service life is shorter. There are polyurethane elements, they are of much better quality;
  • Ball elements of the stabilizer - usually wear out over time due to insufficient lubrication, from time to time, it is very difficult to restore them.

The stabilizer link recovery process can be learned and done with ease. In some cases, simply changing the grease and replacing the part is sufficient.

Stages of removing the shock absorber strut and their complete restoration without the help of workshops:

  1. The racks are removed with a special tool by unscrewing the stabilizer bracket fasteners.
  2. A thorough examination of the parts, analysis of the cause of the breakdown is carried out. You can move your finger, if a crunch is heard, then the part cannot be repaired. Check the condition of the handpiece.
  3. Next, you need to squeeze in a vice, take a hammer, knock so that the head pops out.
  4. Then you need to clean it from old oil and grease, wipe it with a rag or sponge.
  5. Repair the flaring of the ring that holds the boot. It is removed with pliers.
  6. Fill boot with special oil-based grease and screw up.
  7. Wrap the sealed wire around the boot. Install a new plug.
  8. Tighten the ring to its original place tightly so that it does not move.
  9. Use your finger to check for successful restorations of the A pillars or rear elements: it should move and walk with difficulty.
  10. It is very important to tighten the device correctly, to study the type of fastening in advance.