If i have bad stabilizer pins/links will it cause slop in the steering wheel?

Question

i hear a clicking noise and there is a little slop in the steering wheel of my 01 impala and i think it may be the stabilizer pins/links. could this be true?

Answer 1

  It could be those Constant Velocity Joints in the front wheel drive.

  CV Joints....?  Stabalizer links usually jingle or bushings clunk.

Answer 2

Broken stabilizer bar links will not effect the steering in any way.  That is probably an alignment issue.  Broken stabilizer bar links will however change the handling characteristics of the vehicle.  In your case if it is the front bar that has the problem in an extreme manuever the vehicle will be more likely to oversteer (spin) than if the bar was connected and working properly.  

Answer 3

The stabilizer (sway) bar links connect the sway-bar which is bolted to the subframe to the lower A frame to counteract body roll when going around corners in either direction. They in no way make up for any slop in your steering mechanism. Inner and outer tierod ends, lower ball joints and the steering rack itself are the only places extra movement that could be causing this type of problem.

If you're noticeing more leaning or roll in corners it would naturally feel as if there more looseness or play from your steering input and the tires. The sway bar links are easy to visually check. They are mounted slightly inboard of the lower ball joint. Your sway bar is located behind the oil pan where it's mounted above each side of the crossmember.