Sway Bar

The sway bar is essential because it enhances roll stiffness and stops any side-to-side movement that can cause body roll. Many modern vehicles have a sway bar in the front, and some performance models have rear bars too.

Purpose and operation

The sway bar is meant to force each side of the vehicle to lower or rise to lessen the body roll of the vehicle on sharp corners or large bumps. When turning fast, the car tends to drop closer to the outer wheels, and the sway bar forces the opposing wheel to get closer to the vehicle. This causes the vehicle to grip the road in a fast turn and the wheel is adjacent to the body.

Principles

Essentially, the sway bar is a torsion spring that withstands body roll movements. It is made up of a cylindrical steel bar that is "U" shaped and it connects the body at two points. Also, the sway bar end link is connected near a wheel that transfers forces from the loaded axle side to the opposing side of the vehicle. Excessive roll stiffness, usually caused by configuring the bar too aggressively can cause the wheel to lift off the ground when you turn a corner fast.

Common issues with a faulty sway bar

A faulty sway bar can cause the vehicle to make clunking, squeaking noises, and excessive body roll.