What happens when a sway bar goes bad?

When a sway bar, also known as a stabilizer bar, goes bad, it can have significant consequences for the handling and safety of a vehicle. A sway bar is an important component in a vehicle's suspension system, responsible for reducing body roll and improving stability during turns and cornering.

Understanding the Role of the Sway Bar

The sway bar, or anti-roll bar, is a metal rod that connects the left and right wheels of a vehicle. Its primary function is to transfer the weight of the vehicle from one side to the other during turns and cornering. This helps to reduce the amount of body roll, which can make the vehicle feel more stable and responsive.

The sway bar works by creating a torsional force that resists the vehicle's tendency to lean or roll to one side. When one wheel encounters a bump or uneven surface, the sway bar transfers some of the force to the opposite wheel, helping to keep the vehicle level and balanced.

Symptoms of a Bad Sway Bar

• Excessive Body Roll: If the sway bar is worn or damaged, the vehicle may experience more body roll during turns and cornering, making the ride feel less stable and responsive.


• Uneven Tire Wear: A bad sway bar can cause uneven tire wear, as the weight transfer is not being properly distributed between the left and right wheels.


• Steering Difficulty: A faulty sway bar can make the steering feel loose or imprecise, making it harder to control the vehicle during turns and maneuvers.


• Clunking or Rattling Noises: If the sway bar bushings or links are worn, you may hear clunking or rattling noises coming from the suspension when driving over bumps or uneven surfaces.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to have your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible to identify and address the issue with the sway bar.

Consequences of a Bad Sway Bar

A malfunctioning sway bar can have serious consequences for the handling and safety of a vehicle. Without the stabilizing effect of the sway bar, the vehicle may become more prone to body roll, which can increase the risk of losing control during turns and cornering. This can lead to decreased traction, reduced braking performance, and an increased likelihood of the vehicle rolling over.

Additionally, a bad sway bar can cause uneven tire wear, which can reduce the overall lifespan of the tires and increase the risk of a blowout or other tire-related issues. This can also affect the vehicle's handling and stability, making it more difficult to control and potentially leading to accidents.

If you suspect that your vehicle's sway bar is malfunctioning, it's important to have it inspected and repaired as soon as possible to ensure the safety and handling of your vehicle.

How do I know if my sway bar is bad?

You can tell your sway bar is bad by the following signs: increased body roll or leaning in corners, clunking or squeaking noises from the suspension, poor handling and steering, and uneven tire wear. A physical inspection can also reveal damage like a cracked or loose sway bar link.
 
Signs of a bad sway bar

• Increased body roll: Your car leans more than usual when turning. 
• Suspension noise: You hear clunking, rattling, or squeaking, especially when going over bumps or taking turns. 
• Poor handling: Steering feels loose or unresponsive, and the car may pull to one side. You might experience instability at high speeds. 
• Uneven tire wear: Your tires are wearing down faster on one side, which can be caused by the suspension not distributing the car's weight evenly. 

How to physically check

• Inspect the end links: Look for cracked or torn rubber boots on the sway bar end links, which can leak grease. 
• Check for looseness: With the vehicle safely supported, try to move the sway bar. If it has a lot of side-to-side or up-and-down movement or makes a noise, the bushings or end links are likely worn. 

This video shows how to check for looseness in sway bar end links: 55sEasy FixYouTube · Oct 23, 2022
What to do if your sway bar is bad

• It is recommended to have a professional inspect the vehicle to confirm the problem. 
• Replacing worn sway bar components is important for maintaining proper handling and preventing further suspension damage. 

Can you drive with a bad sway bar?

You can technically drive with a bad sway bar, but it is not recommended due to safety risks. Driving with a bad sway bar compromises your vehicle's handling, leading to increased body lean, and can be particularly dangerous during cornering or emergency maneuvers. If you must drive, do so very cautiously, at reduced speeds, and avoid highways. 
Risks of driving with a bad sway bar

• Increased body roll: The car will lean more than usual when turning. 
• Impaired handling: The vehicle will feel less stable, and steering can become vague. 
• Unpredictable behavior: A broken sway bar can lead to unpredictable handling, which can be especially dangerous in emergency situations where you might need to swerve unexpectedly. 
• Potential for further damage: A loose or broken link could potentially contact and damage other components, like the axle shaft. 

Recommendations if you must drive

• Drive at a lower speed: Avoid high speeds and stick to surface streets if possible. 
• Avoid aggressive driving: Do not take turns too quickly. 
• Have it replaced as soon as possible: It is highly recommended to get the sway bar fixed as soon as you can for your safety and the safety of others. 

How do you tell if you need a sway bar?

Answer: There are several things you can look for to determine if you need a new sway bar. First, the easiest sign is when your vehicle sways too much when you are taking turns. Second, when you are passing an 18-wheeler or if one is passing you, your vehicle will sway from the 18-wheeler's crosswinds.

How does a sway bar get damaged?

A sway bar goes bad due to natural wear and tear, which causes components like bushings and links to become loose and worn over time. Other causes include physical damage from impacts like potholes or accidents, corrosion, and excessive stress from overloading the vehicle.
 
Common causes

• Natural wear and tear: Components like the bushings and the ball joints in the links wear down over time with normal use, leading to a loose fit. This is often accelerated by high mileage. 
• Impact and accidents: Collisions, hitting potholes, or running into curbs can damage the sway bar itself or the links connecting it to the suspension. 
• Corrosion: Salt on roads and exposure to harsh elements can lead to rust and corrosion, weakening the components and causing them to fail prematurely. 
• Excessive stress: Consistently hauling heavy loads or exceeding the vehicle's weight limit puts extra strain on the sway bar and links, causing them to wear out faster or even break. 
• Poor installation: Worn bushings or improperly tightened links from a previous installation can lead to a premature failure of the sway bar system.