Sway Bars and Body Roll

Stabilizer bars, sway bars, and anti-roll bars are used to reduce body lean. They keep the vehicle's body flat on the road surface during turns. It consists of a torsion bar, bushings, and two sets of end links (links and bushings).

They reduce body roll by connecting both control arms at the end links. As the vehicle turns, the sway bar transfers weight to the outside tires helping to prevent body sway. While a vehicle is traveling in a straight line, the sway bar has no effect on vehicle ride.

The sway bar rarely breaks or becomes damaged, but the bushings that hold it to the frame and control arms do. Like all rubber bushings, they wear in time and swell from hot engine oil. They start to make creaking sounds while cornering.

Sometimes the end links themselves have become loose or damaged. A loose stabilizer bar or worn bushings result in increased sway while cornering. If a creaking or knocking sound is heard when turning a corner, a good visual inspection of the sway bar is in order.