I have a '96 Astro rear wheel drive van. In the past 2-3 years each side of the stabilizer bar links have broken. They were replaced with Moog parts. Now the actual connector on the right hand side has broken - above the link. I am not sure of the techincal terms of all of this, but the "link" I am referring to is the actual Moog bolt/nut and rubber bushings that connect to the suspension. I am really sick of fixing this, can I just run it as is? What does the stabilizer do anyway? I hear it helps with handling, but I have to say an Astro van does not handle great with the bar hooked up. The connector went out today with a BANG/ I typically am easy on the van, I drive pretty conservatively. It is a gas pig so I try to get the most gas mileage I can. Now there is a clunk when I turn the wheel, typically to the right hand side. I want to keep this van a long time yet, it only has 107k on it. I can live with a clunk if it does not cause tire wear, etc. Thoughts?
1996 Chevy Astro stabilizer bar broken - big deal?
- Thread starter DutchBrad
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I had a s10 (same underneath) in last week with a blown stabilizer. Pulling it out to a parking space it was leaning way over like a sailboat. Couldn't imagine it at speed.
Also it will change your over/understeer for the worse. IDK which way but it won't be good.
These trucks are all over, whatever your problem, there's a "problem solver" part.
Also it will change your over/understeer for the worse. IDK which way but it won't be good.
These trucks are all over, whatever your problem, there's a "problem solver" part.
A broken or weakened FRONT stabilizer bar will change the handling from understeer to oversteer, as well as increasing body lean quite a lot. So it means the vehicle is more likely to swap ends due to oversteer, and possibly more likely to roll over. Not a very safe condition for the most part.
If its a rear stabilizer bar, the it will increase understeer (not so much a safety issue as converting to oversteer) but it will increase body roll significantly.
If its a rear stabilizer bar, the it will increase understeer (not so much a safety issue as converting to oversteer) but it will increase body roll significantly.
I have to say I have always been a GM guy. But this Astro has changed me. I bought it in '99 with 39k miles. Never owned a newer car, never spent as much as I did on this van. I drove many late '70's Cutlasses, Monte Carlo's, Regal's - all way over 100k when I got them. They were great. Maybe a radiator and brakes, but nothing else. $7000 spent in the past 13 years for maintenance later, the Astro is truly a money hole. I take extremely good car of my cars, the van looks new. It practially is new with all the parts that have gone into it. I hope the second 100k is cheaper than the first. The best part? Almost every time something breaks, it is a "known issue" - they "all do that". So I ask if there is any recall or warranty? "nope - but they all do it - we keep the parts in stock for that repair -see 2-3 per week". Rockauto has the bar and two links (Dorman brand???) for $131.71 inc shipping. AAP is around $149 for the AWD version, don't list a part for RWD like I have. NAPA has a RWD part, but it is close to $200. Not sure if Moog makes a stabilizer, but I would prefer that brand if I can find it reasonably priced. I want the fix to last. This is likely my last GM vehicle. My Sienna starts, takes me there and gets me home without all the drama!!
My friend's mom had an Astro Van. Not sure what year but they got rid of it after a few years because it was problematic. I'd definitely fix the stabilizer bar. You can be the best driver in the world but you can't predict the unexpected. I've seen lots of jeep guys run without stabilizer bars for more suspension flex claiming they will "drive slower" to make up for the removed bar. Then they unexpectedly swerve and roll the jeep.
my '89 with 283K drives great and handles well for an old van. I changed the anti sway bar links myself, wasnt that bad of a job.
DEFINITELY change it, its there for a very good reason.
by many, these are regarded as great vans, they are still sought after and make decent $. I wonder why you have had so many issues and cost, the fact that i do a lot of my own work helps immensely.
DEFINITELY change it, its there for a very good reason.
by many, these are regarded as great vans, they are still sought after and make decent $. I wonder why you have had so many issues and cost, the fact that i do a lot of my own work helps immensely.
I wanted to get rid of the Astro, but my mechanic said no to - he said we had fixed most of the bad engineering, poor design, etc. He said he had seen many people sell the van and the next owner thinks it is the greatest ride on earth - never broke down. I will fix it, but want to wait until it gets warmer. I might get a quote from my mechanic to see how much that would cost, might be the safer route....
somebody told me a good rule of thumb to check doubtful parts is to call every auto part store around and see if they have the part. If most stores have plenty of parts in stock that tells you it is a fast moving part.....and you might wonder why. If it is a special order part that tells you something too. Of course age and volume makes a difference too. I had an old F150 with bad steering box and found that EVERY store had lots in stock for an old truck. And I found out why.
1996 Astro?? Go to the wreckers and get a used stabilizer bar for $10, them buy some Moog links.
Originally Posted By: DutchBrad
I wanted to get rid of the Astro, but my mechanic said no to - he said we had fixed most of the bad engineering, poor design, etc.
You're putting his kids through college, of course he wants you to keep it...
I wanted to get rid of the Astro, but my mechanic said no to - he said we had fixed most of the bad engineering, poor design, etc.
You're putting his kids through college, of course he wants you to keep it...
If i were to sell mine now, the next owner would get a great deal!...a lot of things have been fixed/replaced. Im pretty much in a place where im thinking im just gonna keep it, might even get it painted. A friend has a rebuilt engine im considering too.
do you have it in you to do these links bolts yourself?
do you have it in you to do these links bolts yourself?
Which number in this diagram is broken number 39 the stabilizer insulator clamp or 41 the stabilizer bar http://www.genmotorinfo.com/Picture.aspx...Front+-+TM06007?
Originally Posted By: stro_cruiser
Originally Posted By: DutchBrad
might be the safer route....
there is no might bout it!
the best route is getting one from a breakers yard, much agreed!
The bar, maybe. The end links aren't likely to come apart.
Unless the PO put them on the month before.
Bring something that cuts metal.
Originally Posted By: DutchBrad
might be the safer route....
there is no might bout it!
the best route is getting one from a breakers yard, much agreed!
The bar, maybe. The end links aren't likely to come apart.
Unless the PO put them on the month before.
Bring something that cuts metal.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Which number in this diagram is broken number 39 the stabilizer insulator clamp or 41 the stabilizer bar http://www.genmotorinfo.com/Picture.aspx...Front+-+TM06007?
From what I could see, the bar was loose. The link looked still tight, but I was under a wet van (rain and snow going on today) - I will drive the van up on ramps this weekend to get a better look. Since the link on the passenger side is 2-3 years old at most, it looked to me like the bar was broken at the end where it connects to the link. I have a friend with air tools and a lift, I will see if he wants to do a quick swap of the bar and the links.
Which number in this diagram is broken number 39 the stabilizer insulator clamp or 41 the stabilizer bar http://www.genmotorinfo.com/Picture.aspx...Front+-+TM06007?
From what I could see, the bar was loose. The link looked still tight, but I was under a wet van (rain and snow going on today) - I will drive the van up on ramps this weekend to get a better look. Since the link on the passenger side is 2-3 years old at most, it looked to me like the bar was broken at the end where it connects to the link. I have a friend with air tools and a lift, I will see if he wants to do a quick swap of the bar and the links.
With the Astro/Safari chassis, it's always the ends of the hollow bar that breaks and not the links.
I have an '03 Safari with 122k on it. It left my Dad stranded once for a bad distributor rotor (yes, a known issue).
The cruise control on these things are bad too. Weird intermittent issues like disengaging when hitting expansion joints, no resume function, not setting at speeds above 60MPH, shutting off when tapping up....you name it.
Other than this, it's been trouble free. And its always had a weird 1-2 shift too.
I have an '03 Safari with 122k on it. It left my Dad stranded once for a bad distributor rotor (yes, a known issue).
The cruise control on these things are bad too. Weird intermittent issues like disengaging when hitting expansion joints, no resume function, not setting at speeds above 60MPH, shutting off when tapping up....you name it.
Other than this, it's been trouble free. And its always had a weird 1-2 shift too.
You really want to fix it. The stabilizer bar is quite effective in keeping vehicle dynamics under control in emergency situations.
Without it, a sharp left turn, followed by a sharp right turn, like you might do to avoid debris on the highway, could result in loss of control.
To picture why, consider the weight transfer as your Astro leans during the first part of the maneuver. Then consider that the body has to travel twice as far during the "correction" turn. This weight transfer can be bad enough to allow a vehicle to roll over.
Without it, a sharp left turn, followed by a sharp right turn, like you might do to avoid debris on the highway, could result in loss of control.
To picture why, consider the weight transfer as your Astro leans during the first part of the maneuver. Then consider that the body has to travel twice as far during the "correction" turn. This weight transfer can be bad enough to allow a vehicle to roll over.
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