I recently replaced the front stabilizer/sway/anti-roll bar end/drop links, and wanted to share my experience here in case it helps others.
Diagnosis
My car had for a while a rattling/clunking/shaking noise coming from the front left. It happened mostly over small road imperfections and bumps. It was quiet enough that with the radio on, I wouldn't hear it, but could feel the car shaking in an unsettling way. After close listening I realized that the sound would happen even when the right side of the car went over bumps. The motion on the right was translating through the sway bar into the left side causing the noise. This helped me narrow down that it is probably worn out end link bushings.
My car is a 2020 and had only 6,000 miles when I first noticed the problem, so it's a bit disappointing, but it's a reminder that the age of a car matters as much as miles; perhaps the rubber dry rotted, or maybe just inadequate parts for the extreme forces the stiff suspension experiences.
Fix
After seeing that some Giulias and Stelvios come with beefier-looking aluminum drop links that are a direct replacement, I went ahead and ordered a set. Since these links should only transmit axial forces, I don't totally understand why the thicker aluminum links would be better; however, they also have larger bushings and seem built better. Weight for each link is 0.815 lbs for aluminum and 0.635 for steel. They also have Alfa Romeo and THK branding, so all things considered this a very mild upgrade for my Quadrifoglio.
![Image]()
$12 for 4 nuts
$140 for 2 links
Install
It's a fairly simple remove and replace. I used this video and the attached pages from the service manual for reference.
Before:
![Image]()
After:
![Image]()
The trickiest part is safely lifting the vehicle with both wheels off the ground so that the stabilizer bar is not under torsion. I used two floor jacks on the front lifting pucks, two jack stands positioned just below a suspension arm, and a wheel under the car if all else failed.
![Image]()
Results
The rattling noise is gone and car feels great!
Diagnosis
My car had for a while a rattling/clunking/shaking noise coming from the front left. It happened mostly over small road imperfections and bumps. It was quiet enough that with the radio on, I wouldn't hear it, but could feel the car shaking in an unsettling way. After close listening I realized that the sound would happen even when the right side of the car went over bumps. The motion on the right was translating through the sway bar into the left side causing the noise. This helped me narrow down that it is probably worn out end link bushings.
My car is a 2020 and had only 6,000 miles when I first noticed the problem, so it's a bit disappointing, but it's a reminder that the age of a car matters as much as miles; perhaps the rubber dry rotted, or maybe just inadequate parts for the extreme forces the stiff suspension experiences.
Fix
After seeing that some Giulias and Stelvios come with beefier-looking aluminum drop links that are a direct replacement, I went ahead and ordered a set. Since these links should only transmit axial forces, I don't totally understand why the thicker aluminum links would be better; however, they also have larger bushings and seem built better. Weight for each link is 0.815 lbs for aluminum and 0.635 for steel. They also have Alfa Romeo and THK branding, so all things considered this a very mild upgrade for my Quadrifoglio.
$12 for 4 nuts
$140 for 2 links
Install
It's a fairly simple remove and replace. I used this video and the attached pages from the service manual for reference.
| Steel link (stock) | 68310528AA |
|---|---|
| Aluminum link | 68348882AA 50543786 |
| Lock nut | 6511458AA |
| Tools needed | 16 mm wrench Torx T40 |
| Torque spec | 74 ft-lb |
Before:
After:
The trickiest part is safely lifting the vehicle with both wheels off the ground so that the stabilizer bar is not under torsion. I used two floor jacks on the front lifting pucks, two jack stands positioned just below a suspension arm, and a wheel under the car if all else failed.
Results
The rattling noise is gone and car feels great!
