Sway Bar
A metal torsion spring that connects opposing wheels on an axle to reduce body roll during cornering and improve handling stability.
A sway bar (also known as an anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar) is a vital suspension component designed to keep the vehicle level and stable. It is a long, U-shaped steel bar that runs across the front or rear axle, bolted to the vehicle's frame with rubber bushings and connected to the wheel control arms or struts via sway bar links.
When a vehicle corners, body weight shifts to the outside of the turn, causing the vehicle to lean or roll. The sway bar works by resisting this twisting motion; as the suspension on the outside compresses, the bar twists and pulls the suspension on the inside up, keeping the vehicle body flatter and distributing weight more evenly across all tires.
While sway bars themselves rarely break, their mounting bushings and links wear out frequently. When these components degrade, the sway bar can rattle or clunk when driving over bumps, and the vehicle may feel loose or unstable during turns. Replacing the worn bushings and links restores the suspension's quiet operation and handling responsiveness.