What are sway bars?
Sway bars, sometimes called anti sway bars or anti roll bars, on a vehicle are part of the suspension system on a vehicle. What do sway bars do? They work to lessen the amount of body lean that occurs as the vehicle turns, keep everything stable, and improve ride comfort and handling. This component is a simple torsion spring that provides enough resistance to avoid a wobbly or unsteady feeling when taking sharp turns or going around a corner. The number of sway bars varies based on the vehicle.
What are the differences between front and rear sway bars?
Most modern vehicles come with two sway bars, one in the front and one in the rear. The rear bar is typically smaller in diameter than the front, which allows for consistent handling. A large rear bar would lead to oversteering issues. Most of the stress that a vehicle produces during a turn is applied to the rear bar.
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Sway bars are technically designed to last for the life of the vehicle. However, they will go through wear and tear over time. Sway bars may need to be repaired after 50,000-100,000 miles. Obtaining regular inspections can help you spot sway bar damage early on.
Getting an inspection by a certified mechanic will tell you if your sway bars are damaged. In the meantime, look for the following signs that likely mean it's time for a sway bar replacement:
- Loose steering wheel
- Clunking or rattling noises when you go over bumps
- Bad handling
- Uneven tire wear
- Vibrations when stopping
If the sway bar bushings go bad, the bar won't remain firmly in place, which can make the feeling behind the wheel more sluggish.
Rear and front sway bar links come in different designs, types, and sizes. Here's a look at the various types of sway bars you can choose from:
- Adjustable sway bars: These bars come with a mechanism that accommodates adjustments to the torsion swing. The driver can use this feature to change the bar for different road conditions.
- Solid sway bars: This is a basic type of sway bar that's made with solid steel. While they offer durability, they also weigh a lot and can cause more vibrations.
- Tubular sway bars: These bars are made with tubes of aluminum or steel. They offer a lightweight design.
- Hollow sway bars: This type of bar is hollowed out around the center for a lower weight. Its design is similar to that of a tubular sway bar.
Additionally, there are plenty of quality brands to choose from. Popular ones include Hellwig sway bars, Eibach sway bars, Hotchkis sway bars, and Roadmaster sway bar kits.
If you have bad sway bar end links, you may be able to replace them yourself with the right tools. Call a professional if the hardware is rounded off, the sway bar links are frozen in place, or you just don't know how to remove a sway bar. The tools you may need to replace sway bar links yourself include the following:
- Hammer
- Floor jack
- Combination wrench set
- Lug wrench
- Jack stands
- Torque wrench
- Socket and ratchet set
- Wire brush
- Vice grips
- Wheel chocks
Check for damage to any surrounding parts to determine if additional repairs are necessary.
Read more about sway bars for cars and trucks
Learn more about the inner workings of sway bars as well as how to replace sway bar links. If you notice changes in your vehicle’s handling, such as additional sway or difficulty during turns, these could indicate the need for inspecting sway bar links or bushings. Replacing a sway bar link and bushings may be a simple solution.
