How dangerous is it to drive with cracked sway bar links?

I recently went to have my car inspected , unfortunately it was in some what of a rush and I had to take it to a chain store (monroe muffler). I was told the inspection failed due to the sway bar, the mechanic told me "The links on both sides of the sway bar are cracked" the inspection failure prinout states "broken swaybar". I am not to knowledgable with cars so my question is should I still drive the car with this issue. If so how much of a safety issue does this pose? If the danger is not very critical , is there an estimated timeframe on how long I could drive with these cracked.

Any help , suggestions , tips would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to AF.

Your post has been moved to the Regal forum.

We have to assume that the vehicle in question here is a “1999 Buick Regal” listed in your profile. Be sure to post your model, year & mileage either in the thread title, signature, or in your post.

I am not sure exactly what the mechanic was referring to as “broken” unless it was the end link bolts. If that is correct, it is a simple & cheap repair. Handling can be jeopardized with these parts broken. You can continue to drive it until the repairs are made if you are not involved in situation that might require quick maneuvering.

It actually breaks in half.

Because the stabilizer bar is cheap and hollow it is subject to failure by cracking where it mounts to the end link at the control arm and several inches before that. Typically if you live in high corrosion and rust areas. Common on all GM "W" body cars such as Regal, Grand Prix, Intrigue, Impala, Monte Carlo and Century, etc.

I would not drive in this condition for a long period of time and get it fixed as soon as possible. You could get into an accident during turning or taking curves at higher speeds.

Hey Bob, I believe we had a post in the GP forum, where an accident occured and it was suspected that the broken end of the stabilizer shaft dug into the pavement causing a nasty crash didn't we?

Even if it's just the link pins and not the stabilzer shaft itself that's cracked, I would not drive it long like that either, as I've seen them completely snap in two where the broken pieces flopped around and cut the CV axle boot .

Hey Bob, I believe we had a post in the GP forum, where an accident occured and it was suspected that the broken end of the stabilizer shaft dug into the pavement causing a nasty crash didn't we?


That is correct Rich and many prior ones before that. But the one at Grand Prix is good anecdotal proof of a possible accident. That GP was totaled out and his stabilizer bar was known bad which was completely cracked in half or severed from where it connects to the end link bolt. Plus we get these posts at the other GM forums too going back as long as I can remember.

Funny that you should ask this question. Involved in a front end accident last November, the stabilizer bar became cracked without any one noticing. Over time my wheel bearings wore out. Lucky the wheels didn't come off. Replaced the bearings, put the stabilizer bar on last night, and she handles the way she should. Don't wait to fix this.