Also known as stabilizer bars or anti-roll bars, sway bars reduce side-to-side movement or “sway” to improve your vehicle’s stability and overall handling. Sway bars connect the left and right sides of an independent suspension system, meaning a system that includes control arms instead of a straight axle, distributing weight and forces evenly across the vehicle. This minimizes body roll, especially during cornering, to improve stability and control.
Sway bars are most common on the front of a vehicle, but may also be found on the rear of vehicles with independent rear suspension systems. Learning what a sway bar does, the different types of stabilizer bars, and the signs of a worn sway bar can help you better understand your vehicle's suspension system and diagnose potential issues.
Added Stability
Sway bars enhance vehicle stability during sharp turns or sudden lane changes, improving handling and creating a safer, more comfortable driving experience.
Improved Traction
Sway bars can also improve traction and reduce tire wear by keeping the vehicle level, ensuring optimal contact between the tires and the road surface. This not only enhances grip but also extends the lifespan of your tires, saving you money in the long run.
Smoother Ride
By minimizing “body roll”, or the lateral movement of your vehicle’s suspension, anti-roll bars allow for more precise steering and less movement felt in the cabin while cornering.
Whether your vehicle is on the highway or on rough terrain, sway bars ensure a smoother, more controlled driving experience. In some cases, larger sway bars may be used in high-performance or off-road applications to change or stiffen the handling of the vehicle. If you're looking to upgrade your vehicle's suspension system or enhance its performance, consider installing or upgrading its sway bar(s). At O'Reilly Auto Parts, we offer a wide selection of high-quality sway bars and suspension components to fit your vehicle and driving habits.
Sway bar bushings and sway bar links help connect and secure the anti-roll bar to your vehicle’s suspension system and frame, allowing the sway bar to function properly. Sway bar links help physically connect the sway bar to the suspension system, and are typically connected to the control arm. Sway bar links may simply be a bolt with bushings and retainers connected between the bar and the control arm, or may have ball joints at one or both ends to allow for more articulation when driving.
Sway bar bushings are usually connected to the frame and are designed to insulate and secure the sway bar to the vehicle itself. These bushings typically fit around the sway bar and are secured to the chassis with a metal bracket. In some cases, sway bar bushings may also be greaseable for longer life, and greaseable sway bar bushings may be an option to upgrade suspension system performance for some vehicles.
Sway bar links and bushings are a more common failure part than the sway bar itself. The rubber bushings and/or ball joints can experience wear over time due to friction, high temperatures, and stress, which can cause them to loosen and no longer secure the sway bar properly. Keeping these components lubricated and addressing any signs of hard or dry-rotted rubber is crucial to overall suspension performance. Learn more about the function of sway bar links and the importance of chassis components with our How-To resources.
Driving with sway bars or connected components that are worn or damaged is not recommended, as it can significantly affect your vehicle's stability and control, compromising your handling during sudden maneuvers or emergencies. Ignoring a necessary sway bar repair is a safety hazard, and should be addressed to prevent unsafe driving conditions and the need for more expensive repairs. Over time, sway bars, sway bar links, and bushings may suffer wear or damage. If you notice rough handling, excessive sway, or suspension noise, you may need to inspect your suspension system to determine if it’s time to perform a sway bar link replacement
Signs of a bad sway bar, bushings, or sway bar links include:
- Excessive body roll: If your vehicle leans excessively to one side when cornering, it could indicate worn or damaged sway bar components.
- Noise while turning: Squeaking, clunking, or rattling noises when turning the steering wheel could signify worn or damaged sway bar bushings or end links, or may point to other suspension and driveline issues that should be inspected.
- Poor handling: If your vehicle feels unstable, is less responsive during turns, responsive during turns, or struggles to stay in its lane, ineffective sway bars could be the cause. Understanding what a sway bar does can help diagnose these issues.
- Uneven tire wear: Sway bar issues can lead to uneven tire wear, particularly on the edges. If you notice this pattern, inspect the sway bars and suspension system, as you may also need to have an alignment performed.
Signs of worn-out sway bar components may include a rattling noise or visible looseness in the suspension system. In some cases, severely damaged or corroded sway bar links may even break or crack. If you experience the symptoms of a bad sway bar, inspect your anti-roll bar, bushings, and sway bar links for damage, including cracks, rust, rubber damage, or bent components.
Maintaining your vehicle's sway bar components is crucial for optimal performance and overall road safety. Recognizing the signs of worn-out sway bar components, conducting regular inspections, and following routine vehicle maintenance tips can extend the lifespan of your sway bar links, bushings, and other suspension components.
Be sure to check the sway bar bushings for wear and tear, including cracks and deterioration, as well as the sway bar links for any signs of looseness, rattling, or excessive play. Sway bars and their components may degrade faster if your vehicle is often subjected to aggressive cornering or off-road driving, or if you commonly drive over speed bumps or potholes at high speeds, so consider your vehicle’s daily driving conditions when inspecting the system. Regularly washing your vehicle, which means removing dirt, debris, and road salt from your suspension components and keeping the sway bar linkage lubricated can help extend the lifespan of your vehicle’s sway bar and suspension parts components. You can lubricate the sway bar bushings and links if they feature a grease Zerk fitting by using a grease gun to reduce friction and prevent premature wear.
Your vehicle’s sway bar, links, and bushings are a crucial component of your suspension system, and can severely affect the safety and ride comfort of your car, truck, or SUV. Maintain or restore proper, responsive handling to your vehicle with replacement suspension components from O’Reilly Auto Parts. Whether you’re replacing a sway bar link, repairing an anti-roll bar bushing, or want to understand the basics of your chassis and suspension system, find the parts, tools, and resources you need both online and in-store. Unsure about how to properly diagnose or repair a sway bar issue on your vehicle? Check out our recommendations for professional technicians in your area to help you get the job done right.
