The stabilizer bar connects the left and right wheel suspension. Its purpose is to prevent the body from swaying when cornering.
All models are equipped with such a spring bar that is part of the front and rear suspension. This rod is a kind of torsion bar that twists if one wheel sinks more than the other. It is mounted on the suspension (on the suspension arm) and is suspended in rubber. It is also mounted in rubber where it is attached to the body.
If the rubber wears out or dries out, the sway bar can rattle in that area. You can continue to ride, but if the rubbers are completely worn out, you will hear a metal-to-metal sound and the suspension or sway bar may be permanently damaged.
With every movement of the suspension, the sway bar moves in its rubbers, and the more you drive on bad road surfaces, the faster they wear out. But also in old cars with few kilometers, the rubbers can break, so they are often dried out.
The rubbers in which the stabilizer bar is suspended have several functions. On the one hand, they serve as a flexible pivot point and, on the other hand, they absorb the vibrations of the suspension, thus improving the comfort in the car.
The Volkswagen Vanagon has, compared to all other classic Volkswagens, a more complex construction, the stabilizer suspension is composed of more rubbers and spare parts. On several tabs of our online store you can find all other parts available for the stabilizer, in case you need to replace other parts or renew the whole.
Note: In some parts, a code M (option code) is mentioned, these parts are applicable if this option is present.
M136 : Equipped as an ambulance
M325 : Permitted load on the front axle 1.2 ton
M384 : Permitted load on the rear axle 1.4 ton
If in doubt about the presence of this option, check the thickness of the stabilizer bar (indication of the inner diameter)
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