If you are noticing a clunking sound coming from the front of your vehicle when going over uneven roads and speed bumps it’s likely that their is play in your sway bar. If your front bushings are worn then your sway bar will move when your wheels go up and down. Resulting in a clanking sound.
It’s really easy to replace your bushings. It’s essentially the same procedure for all vehicles.
Here are the steps to replace your front sway bar (stabilizer bar) bushings
1. Check if there is play in your sway bar. I had Shawna jump up and down on the sidestep of our truck while I checked the sway bar underneath. Sure enough, the sway bars were loose and clunking.
2. You will need:
Replacement bushings. These usually go for around $20-$30 for the pair. You can find them online for less. They are called Suspension Stabilizer Bar Bushing Kit.
14mm socket and ratchet
Socket extension
A rag
The nice thing about the Pathfinder is that it’s got good clearance. You won’t need to use a jack for this. (As you can see in the example photo Shawna took)
3. Remove your skid plate or skid bars so that you can get at the bolts on the stabilizer brackets holding the bushings. (If you don’t have skid plate skip this step).
There are 4 bolts holding your skid plate in place. Remove them all.
4. There are 4 bolts holding each of the front stabilizer brackets
Remove them all.
5. Once the brackets are removed, your bar will swing freely. Remove the bushings. They have a slit on one side making them easy to slip off.
You can see the just how much the old bushings have worn when compared to the new one.
6. Clean the area on the sway bar where your bushings sit with a rag.
7. Replace the bushings.
8. Bolt the stablizer brackets back in place.
9. Reattach the skid plate with the 4 bolts.
10. Go for a drive and enjoy your solid front sway bar.
This is a great DIY project. Will save you a few bucks doing it yourself and shouldn’t take more than an hour or two. Best of luck
