Is the 5th Gen equipped with a stabilizer bar or sway bar?
to my understanding now,, I've read here folks calling it a sway bar.
technically speaking a sway bar moves and slides from side to side, correct?
A stabilizer bar is set to stabilize and won't move, correct?
heres an image of the stabilizer bar on this 5th gen maxima I have.
Since folks here were posting this as a sway bar, there was some uncertainty on my end weather it moves side to side or not.

In the image posted youll see a metal collar on the bar. Is this metal collar to keep this bar from sliding side to side?

 

No it twist with a torsional force so that the loaded side resist against the sway bar to keep it flatter in a corner than if the bar wasn't installed! The thicker the bar (If of solid construction) the stiffer the reaction to resist and reduce body roll! So it shouldn't be any sliding side to side of this bar when it's secured properly with serviceable bushings! I would highly recommend you using Energy Suspension sway bar bushings. Apparently you're experiencing a leaking rack and pinion with all the p/s everywhere.
1. Sway bar
2. Anti-Roll bar
3. Stabilizer Bar
P.S. It's all the same! Hood vs Bonnet....It depends on where you originated from...