cost to replace a sway bar? Do these crack?

[andremike]

So I was told the sway bar had a crack in it. They quoted me $363.00 to replace it? Do these normally crack?

[Jakegday]

its completely possible, and that price seems a little steep to me

[Zef_66]

Price is very steep. Even at list price the stock sway bar is $180. PN 10284146

A heavy duty stock replacement sway bar from GM is only $80 list. PN 12498643 and should be able to be had for less.

The labor to put a sway bar in should be an hour or less. I can do one in 30 min and I am not a mechanic.

I would suggest buying the heavy duty sway bar and having them install it, or doing the work yourself.

And yes, sway bars are known for cracking all the time on our cars. The heavy duty ones do not seem to crack as much.

[andremike]

They want to put in a Dorman sway bar. I'm told the price is $219.00 I found it online for $120.00.

They actually offered to lower the price to $261.00 since they are in there.. $150.00 for the parts and then labor..

Is Dorman good or should I go with GMPP sway bars?


Should I replace the rear sway bar?

[matt5112]

Buy the GMPP yourself and have then install them.

Doorman = OE or less quality

[Zef_66]

Should I replace the rear sway bar?

As mentioned, stick with the GMPP sway bar. It can be found online for less than the $80 I mentioned above. Even summit sells them, just search for the PN I gave you above.

And if the rear sway bar is not broken (which it hardly ever does) then don't replace it.

[andremike]

Price is very steep. Even at list price the stock sway bar is $180. PN 10284146

A heavy duty stock replacement sway bar from GM is only $80 list. PN 12498643 and should be able to be had for less.

The labor to put a sway bar in should be an hour or less. I can do one in 30 min and I am not a mechanic.

I would suggest buying the heavy duty sway bar and having them install it, or doing the work yourself.

And yes, sway bars are known for cracking all the time on our cars. The heavy duty ones do not seem to crack as much.

Thanks guys... What about the polyurethane bushings? or are rubber fine?

Now I need to find someone local that has the part....

Is that the part number for a 2000 GP GT?

[Zef_66]

Thanks guys... What about the polyurethane bushings? or are rubber fine?

Now I need to find someone local that has the part....

Is that the part number for a 2000 GP GT?

The rubber are fine. Poly do help stiffen things up a bit. But I didn't notice that much of a difference when I did my poly bushings.

And yes, that PN will work for your 2000 GP GT.

[andremike]

You guys are the best...

part number 12498643

Found the bar at local dealer. $87.00. They will charge me $90.00 to install it..

glad I have you guys... I'm already spending $1800 at the mechanic... its the least he can do..

[matt5112]

What are you spending 1800 on?

[SnowDrift]

Auto Parts Direct To You | AutoPartsDirectToYou.com

This place states the stock one is hollow. Is this correct? If so, I'll replace front and rear, regardless if they're cracked or not.

[andremike]

What are you spending 1800 on?

you need to see all my other posts...

complete brake job. new rotors, loaded calipers, new brake line. Brake line ruptured.. about $900.00. They will be painting my calipers black.

trans flush with new filter.
oil change
new window regulator/motor
Power steering fluid change
of course the sway bar..
I'm probably forgetting something...

Then I need the A/C fixed... I really hope its nothing major. A few hundred I could live with.. Another $800.00 to fix AC and it will throw me over the edge..

[matt5112]

Holy sh*t.

That sucks, not mechanically inclined at all or have any friends that are?

[andremike]

Holy sh*t.

That sucks, not mechanically inclined at all or have any friends that are?

No not really.. Don't have any friends that are either...

Oh and I forgot to mention the things I will do myself

New speakers, all the way around..
Fix HUD display. I will try to resolder that part..
replace headlights. They are discolored... Can someone point me to a part number? Is this easy to replace?

Plus I need to bring it in to have the seats re-stuffed. Probably another $300-$500..


I should add the car was given to me.. Like I said its a 2000 GP GT with only 45K miles.. The outside is in mint shape.. I hope with all of these repairs the car lasts at least 2-3 years without any major problems..

[matt5112]

Not sure on stock replacements but they're typically kinda expensive, most people just jump for projectors because that seems to be one of the gripes of these cars, crappy headlights.

1997-2003 GRAND PRIX PROJECTOR HEADLIGHT 1998 1999 2000 on eBay.ca (item 110455927612 end time 10-Dec-09 00:22:41 EST)

Ebay is the cheapest place to get them.

its two 10 mm bolts then they can easily pop out.

Good luck with that!

[Jakegday]

ebay headlights are ok if you never use them. once you turn them on at night you will see them shake with every little bump you hit in the road. you, and other cars around you will see them shaking on the road signs. its embarrassing. i know this from experience

[andremike]

ebay headlights are ok if you never use them. once you turn them on at night you will see them shake with every little bump you hit in the road. you, and other cars around you will see them shaking on the road signs. its embarrassing. i know this from experience

Please recommend which ones to buy, and from where...

[Pittman06]

heres a little secret on the sway bars, check out Summit Racings website, the GM Performance Parts sway bar is dirt cheap. Couldn't find a OE replacement for under 110 until i checked here, the main store is 30 minutes from me so i'm not sure how steap there shipping is

[SnowDrift]

you need to see all my other posts...

trans flush with new filter.

..

I hope your experience is better, but I have yet to read about anyone having a flush done on their transmission and not end up in a complete rebuild within a year or two. The consensus on transmissions from every tranny guy I know is to never flush.

[SnowDrift]

heres a little secret on the sway bars, check out Summit Racings website, the GM Performance Parts sway bar is dirt cheap. Couldn't find a OE replacement for under 110 until i checked here, the main store is 30 minutes from me so i'm not sure how steap there shipping is

Thanks for the tip. I'm about 1 1/2 hrs. from their store, but I've gotten plenty of things from there. I'll look into it.