Methods To Diagnose Your Audi’s Sway Bar Link Failure

Many components in your Audi are least discussed until a catastrophic failure associated with the part takes place. The sway bar link is one such component in your luxury car that is responsible for the superb handling you experience in your Audi when driving on various terrains.

Now, issues with the functioning of the sway bar link can make it really difficult for you to drive your Audi with ease. In fact, fixing a malfunctioning sway bar link should be your top priority; otherwise, it will affect the suspension components. Through our years of experience, we at Hayes European, Santa Cruz, CA, highlight the top methods for identifying a failing sway bar link.

Top Methods to Diagnose Failing Sway Bar

Keep Your Ears Open for Unusual Sounds

Generally, when driving under normal circumstances, you are never going to hear any unusual sound coming from your vehicle. However, with a failing sway bar link, you need to pay close attention to your Audi when it moves over bumps, rough roads, or while taking slow turns.

This is because a malfunctioning sway bar link will produce clunking, rattling, or creaking noises when your luxury car moves over uneven terrain or while taking slow turns. Often, you will find that the sound originates from the front or rear wheel area of your vehicle.

Furthermore, you will likely feel that something is off with the steering wheel of your car, as you will encounter excessive body roll while driving. In fact, the moment you hear these unusual noises, please contact us at Hayes European, located near you in Santa Cruz, CA, to have your sway bar link fixed.

Comprehensive Visual Inspection

One of the best ways to determine whether your sway bar link is functioning optimally is by conducting a comprehensive visual inspection. You should start by parking your Audi on a flat surface and use a jack & jack stand to support the car.

The sway bar link connects your sway bar to the control arm or strut. You need to first inspect for the presence of cracked or worn rubber bushings, as they are prone to damage over time as your vehicle accumulates miles.

Additionally, visual inspection is also necessary because the location of the sway bar link may be prone to the development of rust or corrosion, particularly at the ball joints located at each end of the link. At times, continuous rough driving over a long period can lead to bent or broken links that need to be replaced to restore the complete functionality of your steering wheel.

Experiencing Handling Woes

The smooth handling of your Audi largely depends on the proper functioning of the sway bar links, and one of the most effective methods you can implement to test the functioning of the link is by resorting to moderate driving of your vehicle and taking turns to see whether your sway bar link is functioning normally or not.

Now, if your sway bar link is completely damaged, then you are going to experience an increase in body roll while driving. Additionally, you will experience instability while cornering, and the steering wheel will feel loose due to the damaged sway bar link.

Now, if the sway bar link is completely damaged, your car will feel very unstable even while driving normally on a straight road, indicating that it needs to be replaced urgently.

The Bounce Test

The bounce test method is one of the most popular tests employed to determine the functional efficiency of the suspension and sway bar link. Now, you need to place your Audi on a flat ground, and then push down heavily on each of the front fenders & then release the pressure.

Moreover, you can also sway your Audi from side to side, and during both these tests, you should pay close attention to the emergence of clunking or knocking sounds from your vehicle. If you happen to hear these odd sounds, then it is an indication that your sway bar link is damaged and needs to be replaced urgently.

Hayes European: Go-To Audi Repair Shop in Santa Cruz

At Hayes European, located in the city of Santa Cruz, CA, we have years of experience in fixing high-end cars like Audis. Driving with a damaged sway bar link is never advisable, as it can damage suspension components and potentially lead to collisions.

If the above-discussed methods confirm that your sway bar link is faulty, please call or contact us at Hayes European. Our team of certified mechanics will ensure that your sway bar link issue is fixed once and for all, allowing you to enjoy long drives in your Audi.