How does a sway bar work with the suspension system ?
A sway bar, also known as an anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar, works with the suspension system to reduce body roll when a vehicle is turning. It connects the left and right sides of the suspension together and helps distribute the weight of the vehicle more evenly during cornering.
When a vehicle goes around a corner, the body tends to lean outward due to centrifugal force. This can cause the vehicle to feel unstable and affect handling. The sway bar resists this body roll by transferring some of the force from one side of the suspension to the other, effectively stiffening the suspension and keeping the vehicle more level.
The sway bar does not affect the ride quality on straight roads, but it becomes active during cornering when one side of the suspension compresses and the other side extends. This helps keep the vehicle more balanced and improves traction and stability during turns.