Universal Anti Roll Bar Link Bushes & Washers with Fitting Position Front Axle

Nolathane universal sway bar link bushes and washers give mechanics, restorers and performance drivers a durable polyurethane solution for worn, bushed sway bar links. Selected by size rather than make and model, these sway bar link bushings and cupped washers restore a firm, quiet connection between the sway bar and the suspension where direct-fit kits are unavailable or where a custom setup needs a correctly sized bush.

Each listing shows the bush or washer dimensions and kit contents, so you can match them to your link, sway bar eye and mounting bracket before ordering.

The Role of Sway Bar Links

A sway bar, also known as an anti-roll bar or stabiliser bar, links the left and right sides of the suspension to reduce body roll in corners. The bar itself is mounted to the chassis, while sway bar links connect each end of the bar to the control arm (wishbone), strut or axle.

When the vehicle leans in a corner, one side of the suspension compresses and the other extends. The links transfer that movement into the sway bar, which twists and resists the roll, keeping the body flatter and the tyres working more evenly. For this to happen without delay, the links must be connected firmly at both ends.

Many vehicles use bushed sway bar links, where a stud or bolt passes through the sway bar eye and the lower mount, with a bush on each side clamped by cupped washers and a nut. Others use a bolt-through link with bushes pressed into each end. In both cases, the bushes isolate vibration and allow a small amount of movement as the suspension travels.

Diagnosing Worn Sway Bar Link Bushings

Sway bar link bushes are small but heavily loaded, and they are one of the most common sources of suspension noise. Typical signs of wear include:

• Clunking or knocking when driving over speed bumps, driveways or uneven roads at low speed.
• Rattling or tapping over small, sharp bumps.
• Increased body roll or a vague, delayed feel when turning into a corner.
• A rear end that feels loose or unsettled through quick direction changes.
• Cracked, flattened, split or missing bushes, or cupped washers that have dished or bent.
• Polished marks where the link stud contacts the sway bar eye or mounting bracket.

To check the links, grab each link firmly and try to move it up, down and sideways. Any visible play between the link, the bush and the sway bar eye indicates worn bushes. Check the sway bar mount bushes at the same time, as worn mounts can produce similar noises.

The Importance of Correct Washers

The washers in a bushed sway bar link do more than hold the nut in place. Cupped washers wrap around the outer edge of the bush, controlling how it compresses and stopping it from spreading outwards. They also spread the clamping load evenly across the face of the bush.

Over time, washers can corrode, bend or flatten, especially if they were overtightened. A distorted washer allows the bush to bulge and extrude, leading to rapid wear and renewed noise. Hardened cupped washers of the correct diameter keep the bush supported, ensure it seats properly, and help maintain the correct clamping force over the life of the repair. Replacing washers at the same time as the bushes is the best way to achieve a long-lasting result.

Bushing Materials and Durability

Factory sway bar link bushes are usually rubber, which provides good noise isolation when new but deteriorates with heat, oil, ozone and constant flexing. Once rubber softens or cracks, it allows the link to move before the sway bar responds.

Nolathane polyurethane offers outstanding abrasion resistance, increased tensile strength and resistance to oil, grease, ozone and weathering. It holds its shape under repeated compression, keeping the link firmly located and reducing the delay between suspension movement and sway bar response. This makes polyurethane link bushes well suited to everyday vehicles, performance cars and 4WDs that see rough roads.

Performance Benefits

Firm, well-supported sway bar link bushes help the sway bar respond as soon as the body begins to roll. Drivers often notice:

• Sharper turn-in and more immediate steering response.
• Reduced body roll and a flatter, more controlled feel in corners.
• More stable behaviour during quick lane changes and direction changes.
• A quieter suspension over bumps once worn rubber has been replaced.

For performance and track-day use, polyurethane link bushes can complement upgraded or adjustable sway bars by making sure the bar?s full effect reaches the suspension. They do not change the sway bar?s rate, but they help it work as designed.

Measuring for the Right Fit

Universal sway bar link bushes are selected by their dimensions. Measure the original bushes or the components they fit:

• Outer diameter: the face of the bush where the washer seats.
• Inner diameter: the stud or bolt diameter, or the centre sleeve if one is used.
• Length: the thickness of each bush half.
• Locator diameter: the stepped section that locates in the sway bar eye or bracket hole, if the bush has one.

For washers, check the inner diameter suits the stud and the outer diameter and cup depth match the bush. Compare your measurements with the dimensions shown in each listing.

Replacing Sway Bar Link Bushes

Support the vehicle securely. On many vehicles it is easiest to replace links with the suspension loaded at normal ride height, either on the ground or on drive-on ramps, so the sway bar is not twisted when the nuts are tightened.

Remove the nut, washers and old bushes, and clean the sway bar eye and mounting bracket. Check the link stud for straightness and thread damage, and replace it if required. Apply a polyurethane-compatible bushing grease to the bush contact areas, then refit the bushes and washers in the correct order, with the cupped side of each washer facing the bush.

Where the link uses a spacer sleeve, tighten the nut until the sleeve is fully clamped. Where there is no sleeve, tighten until the bushes are firmly compressed and the washers are seated, without crushing the bushes. Use a new locknut where specified, and re-check the links after the first few hundred kilometres.

Limitations and Trade-Offs

Polyurethane link bushes are firmer than rubber, so some additional road noise and vibration can be transmitted through the suspension. Over-tightening increases this effect and shortens bush life, so follow the fitting guidance carefully.

New bushes cannot fix a bent link stud, a worn or elongated sway bar eye, cracked brackets or a damaged sway bar. Where the link itself is worn or bent, a complete replacement link is the better solution. Polyurethane bushes should also be lubricated at contact surfaces, as dry bushes can squeak.

Compliance

Sway bar links form part of the suspension and affect vehicle stability, so any repair must keep the vehicle safe and within the standards that apply where it is registered. In the UK and Europe, suspension condition is checked at the MOT or periodic roadworthiness inspection. Tell your insurer about any suspension modification.

Nolathane Polyurethane

Nolathane has been making polyurethane suspension bushings since 1974, originally developed to replace brass bushes in hillclimb competition. More than 50 years on, the signature red bushings are produced in a range of durometers (hardness grades) selected for each application. For sway bar links, that means a bush firm enough to transfer roll control without delay while still isolating vibration. Superior elasticity, memory and outright durability make them a trusted choice for mechanics and DIY owners who want to repair, restore and upgrade their suspension.

Warranty and Support

Nolathane universal sway bar link bushes and washers are backed by our warranty. Our fitment guarantee means the parts you receive match the dimensions shown in the listing, and a 60-day returns window gives you time to confirm the fit. Our local support team can help with bush and washer selection and fitting advice, whether you are fixing a clunk, restoring a classic or sharpening handling.

Shop Universal Sway Bar Link Bushes & Washers

These bushes and washers belong to our universal parts range.

Measure your link bushes, studs and washers, compare them with each listing and choose the bush or washer kit that suits your application. Orders are sent with fast shipping, so you can restore a quiet, firm connection between the sway bar and the suspension.