Feedback on driving with broken sway bar link? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

kneedeep · 25th March 2007, 22:52

ok so I was replacing my brake pads and noticed a slight problem with my sway bar!

Guess it's time to order new sway bar links and stabilizer.
Can I drive like this for a few days without causing more damage? Might take a day or 2 to get the parts.

m5admirer · 25th March 2007, 23:34

Broken rear brackets are a common thing on our cars. The front links are less common but I think I remember having mine replaced (warranty is great).

Take the turns easy and you will have no problem driving the car until you get it fixed.

Rob.

T-TRIM 540i · 25th March 2007, 23:43

Think about using the TC Design Brackets instead of OEM... Much better , last for ever , most likely....

ard · 26th March 2007, 00:56

I'd say it is more shocking to find a car that DIDN'T have broken brackets, at least once.

+1 on the TC Designs. If you buy stock, get 2 or 3... you'll need them.

A

Need4Spd · 26th March 2007, 02:36

Note that he broke both the brackets AND the links. I agree about the aftermarket brackets. Don't have any suggestions about the links other than OEM. Possibly the links broke because of the broken brackets?

1bad540 · 26th March 2007, 02:58

I wouldn't run it too long as the bar can rub your brake line on that side.

kneedeep · 27th March 2007, 16:01

Decided to just zip tie the swaybar up and park it till the parts get here. Not worth risking cutting a line or braking something else.

TurboCarrera · 28th March 2007, 06:25

I pulled a rear wheel today and noticed that the inside two inches of tread were worn way down and chunked a little. Then I noticed the sway bar bracket on that side was broken. I corner hard and i guess with the lack of sway bar the suspension compressed enough to force the wheel on the inside edge when it was the outside wheel in a turn.

This was my third broken bracket; ordered the aftermarket ones today.

Steve
00 M5
02 G500

CDW63 · 28th March 2007, 07:25

My brackets are fine, but the support on the frame is broken off on one side. I have yet to find a shop with a TIG welder and a lift. I am going to call some muffler shops tomorrow to see if any have the equipment to weld the piece back on.

sfm5 · 28th March 2007, 20:01

Just a side note, if you plan on replacing these brackets yourself, it can be a little involved. Beastpower describes this as a 30 minute job, but it turned into 3 hours for me, as it requires removing the links from the bar, which is facilitated by removing the wheels on both sides, which requires that the car is on jacks, etc.

If you have access to a lift, or can put the back end of the car easily on jacks, then it should be easier for you. But I'm still not sure how people can replace these brackets in 30 minutes!