What is this part? (really ugly picture)
 

Hi!

I did my oil change today and I noticed this REALLY worn bushing. My powersteering rack is leaking BADLY so I guess it doesn't help.

- What part is it exactly?
- How much does it approximatively cost?
- Is it dangerous to run with this problem (low-high speed)?

I can hear a "clunk" when turning at low speed in my driveway.

Thanks for you help!

http://www.mega-logic.net/photos/part.jpg

That's your front sway bar. No danger, just goofy handling, and yes, power steering fluid eats rubber.

pretty easy and cheap to replace, get a new one.

last year I had the clip (bracket) snap on me so I changed all the sway bar bushings and both hanger clips. (scary, a few weeks before the steering shaft broke.)

then I could see the steering rack was on it's way out and it's bushings...the tie rod assemblies...ball joints...all the control arm bushings...struts...wheel bearings...and that was just the front…and I knew I needed at least 1 rear wheel bearing, so.....

then new 17's all around and HEY, this thing really does handle like a sports car!

The part (bushing) is around $7 and it takes about 20 minutes to change.

Yan, Change all the sway bar bushings not just the one! Sman

can worn sway bar bushings be the reson for the clunk at slow speeds??

yes because I had that same exact problem happen to me on my last 944. It also made clunks over bumps too.

not many of you have experienced this, but the rubber bushing comes in 3? different sizes.
larger bars require larger bushings, you can install 1 size over but i couldnt make it go 2 sizes and had to buy the proper size bush.
just a thought...

Thanks everybody for your help! Which bushing is it? The inner or the outer? The inner I imagine?

Is the outer as easy to change as the inner if I change both at the same time?

That is the inner bushing

It isn't hard to replace them all (innter and outer) at the same time - but do measure the diameter of your sway bar - they came in 3 different sizes depending on option and year.

Soapy water helps get the bushings in their holders easily

AFJuvat

Take a caliper and measure the diameter of the sway bar (stock is like 20.5mm) to make sure you get the correct bushing.

Before you replace the bushing, clean the undercarriage and fix the power steering leak. A common leak point is where the hosed connect to the bottom of the reservior. Just cut the hoses back a little and then reattach.

spray the bushing with some silicone lubricant, makes it easier to slide onto the sway bar.