When to Replace Sway Bar Links

1
WHEN TO REPLACE SWAY BAR LINKS

•  The part that connects the outer ends of the
  sway bar to the suspension component is called a
  sway bar link. 

2

• In most cars a sway bar link has two small ball
  joints at each end. Over time, the sway bar link
  ball joints wear out. The first sign of a worn
  out sway bar link is a knocking noise from the
  suspension when driving slow over road bumps.
• Your mechanic can check the sway bar links while
  performing a regular service with the car on the
  lift. A worn out sway bar link will produce a
  knocking noise when pushed up or down.
• An extremely worn out sway bar link can separate.
  This will cause your car to lean excessively in
  turns and feel less stable and secure on the
  road. A worn out sway bar link must be replaced
  to keep your vehicle safe.

3

• In a pickup truck, sway bar links have a slightly
  different design. The rubber bushings that hold
  the sway bar link may wear out causing excessive
  play and looseness when driving over bumps or
  in turns.

• Is it necessary to replace both sway bar links if
  only one is bad? The answer is no, however your
  mechanic may recommend replacing both sway bar
  links because both links usually wear at the same
  rate and if one is bad, the other may go soon
  too.

4

• Do sway bar links have to be replaced whenever
  the struts or control arms are replaced? No, but
  in many cars an old sway bar link could be
  extremely difficult to remove without damaging
  it, as the threads could be rusted. Because of
  this, sway bar links are often replaced whenever
  a component (a strut or control arm) that the
  link is connected to is replaced.
• Do sway bar links have to be replaced at a
  certain mileage? There is no need to replace a
  sway bar link if its working properly and is not
  worn out.
• Replacing a sway bar link is not very expensive.
  Typically, it costs 75-140 per side in a repair
  shop. If you want to replace the sway bar link
  yourself, soak the thread with oil or WD-40, as
  the nuts could be seized and very difficult to
  come out.

5

• Do sway bar bushings have to be replaced whenever
  the sway bar links are changed? No, the bushings
  are separate items and should be replaced
  whenever they are worn out or if they become
  noisy.

Article Source
Image source from this link