Sway and torsion bars aren’t popular car components. Therefore, not many people understand how these bars work. Some people even think that torsion and sway bars perform the same job.
As a car owner, you must understand each of these bars’ role in your vehicle. That information can be helpful when you run into an issue with either.
Table of Contents
What are Torsion Bars?
The simplest definition of torsion bars is; metal bars that act as a spring in your car. A torsion bar stretches from one end of a vehicle to a suspension lower link on the other side.
This bar twists when a tire drives over a bump. It then assumes its original position and returns the car to its normal height once you drive past the bump. This twisting mechanism resembles that of springs used in most vehicle suspensions.
What distinguishes torsion bars from others is the adjustability function. This bar twists along the axis as forces are created from motion.
A torsion bar reacts to an engine’s torque and enables the vehicle to withstand the twisting effect caused by movement.
Besides offering this type of mechanical action, a torsion bar comes with some benefits. First, it consumes little space as compared to other suspension systems.
As a result, this type of bar can be used in vehicles that require a lot of passenger or cargo room.
Torsion bars are pretty strong and can serve you for a considerably long duration. You should also know that these bars can be adjusted more easily than other suspension systems.
As great as torsion bars are, they do not provide a progressive spring rate. Unlike coils that are installed at varying distances to offer firm handling, braking, steering, and a smoother ride.
Vehicles fitted with torsion bars can either provide a smoother ride and low-quality handling or vice versa. You can’t achieve both with a torsion bar.
In the past, torsion bars were popular in passenger cars. Nowadays, they are mostly used in SUVs and trucks. They are popular in Chryslers, Porsches, and Volkswagen Beetles.
What are Sway Bars?
Unlike torsion bars, sway bars are more popular amongst car owners. It goes by an anti-roll bar, anti-sway bar, and stabilizer bar.
If you look at a sway bar, it’s U-shaped and is connected to both sides of the wheel and the control arm. Sway bars are not installed on all cars.
In certain vehicles, sway bars may not feature their conventional U shape. Please note that this difference in shapes doesn’t change the fact that all sway bars do the same job.
The name sway bar is more of a misnomer because this bar does the exact opposite. The main purpose of a sway bar is to prevent cars from swaying as they turn. A sway bar will ground all your wheels as you turn, thus preventing the vehicle from turning.
Besides knowing the purpose of a sway bar, it’s crucial that you also understand how they function. When you make a turn, a lot of pressure is exerted on the vehicle’s suspension and steering wheel.
If there was nothing to absorb that pressure, your vehicle could easily flip. The sway bars absorb that pressure ensuring the car doesn’t flip.
How does that happen – through twisting? This twisting mechanism makes people think sway bars and torsion bars are the same. Sway bars twist as the car makes a turn.
The sway bars return to their original form when you regain a straight driving position. If you think about it on a deeper level, this twisting and turning should make metal wear out pretty fast.
But the exact opposite is what happens. Sway bars can outlive your car. This bar was made for this specific purpose. No matter how many turns your vehicle makes, it should hold up pretty well.
What may wear out are the mounting bushes. Most car owners are familiar with mounting bushes. When they wear out, you often hear some noise as you turn.
Mounting bushes should be replaced frequently to prevent the sway bar from excessive play.
How Are They Different?
• Torsion Bars are Mostly Found in Trucks, and Sway Bars are in Any Car
Considering the benefits of torsion bars, they are mostly found in trucks. If you look at the buildup of most military cars, you should see torsion bars.
Due to their ability to offer greater resistance to load, they are ideal for trucks that carry heavy cargo. On the other hand, Sway bars are suitable for all cars.
Their ability to prevent the rolling of vehicles as they make turns is critical for any vehicle’s safety.
• Sway Bars are an Anti-roll Device, and Torsion Bars Provide Support to a Car
The most significant difference between these two is the purpose each serves. Yes, they may utilize the same mechanism, but sway bars are more of an anti-roll accessory.
With a sway bar in your car, you can confidently take turns knowing that your car won’t flip. Torsion bars, on the other end, exist to offer support.
You don’t have to worry about your car’s level/height when ferrying cargo with torsion bars. Also, the spring action makes it ideal for tuning a car to offer comfort even on the bumpiest roads.
How Are They Similar?
• Both Twist and Turn
When you look at the mechanism of the sway and torsion bars, you will realize that both these metals are designed to twist and turn. The two must turn to provide the function each is designed to accomplish.
• Both Absorb Pressure
The sway bar absorbs pressure from the steering and suspension system as the car makes turns. And the torsion bar absorbs pressure from the vehicle’s weight exerted when the car is in motion.
• Both are Critical Car Components
Irrespective of the type of bar fitted in your car, each serves a critical purpose. The sway bar enhances the vehicle’s safety by preventing it from turning.
And the torsion bar offers support and prevents the vehicle’s weight from affecting your driving experience.
• Both are Durable
Despite being metals that twist when exposed to pressure, torsion, and sway bars are pretty durable. First, these metals were built to work this way.
And they can last as long as the vehicle’s lifespan. On very rare occasions, you will have to replace a torsion or sway bar.
What’s Better about Torsion Bars?
Torsion bars replace the leaf springs in a car. Their role is to support the vehicle’s weight, the same way leaf springs do. These bars offer automatic leveling of the vehicle.
As explained earlier, when you drive over a bump, the torsion bar twists to accommodate this weight ensuring the occupants enjoy a smoother ride.
The torsion bar twists back to its original position when you drive past the bump. The main benefit of a torsion bar is that it guarantees ride comfort. This is something that a sway bar can’t offer.
What’s Better about Sway Bars?
On the other hand, sway bars do not support the car’s weight. Instead, they connect two sides of a car’s suspension.
As you turn, when one side is compressed more than the other, the sway bar compresses the other side to ensure the vehicle is more stable.
This happens when the sway bar twists. Once you steer off a corner, the sway bar rotates back to its original position.
The best thing about a sway bar is that it’s a safety component, and it will keep your vehicle from turning due to excess pressure applied to the suspension.
Who Should Get a Torsion Bar and Why?
Car owners that crave unrivaled ride comfort should get torsion bars. Torsion bars ensure a smooth ride experience by leveling your car no matter how terrible the terrain you are driving on is.
A torsion bar will reduce the force of bumps or potholes. With a torsion bar installed, this metal will twist when the wheels come across an uneven road surface.
The force that would have otherwise caused passengers or cargo to jump from the seats is directed to the torsion bar.
Torsion bars come in handy in trucks and vehicles that engage in lots of off-roading.
Who Should Get a Sway Bar and Why?
We can all agree that the safety feature provided by sway bars is highly beneficial. Many cars have been victims of the pressure caused by turning at high speeds.
If you are a speed enthusiast, it’s worth having a sway bar installed in your car.
This bar will level the wheels ensuring your car remains grounded as you turn. In the past, cars didn’t have sway bars, and that’s why there were a lot of reports of cars rolling on corners.
Today, sway bars are found in many cars, saving plenty of lives. If your car has one, make sure that you thank it next time you successfully drive around a corner at high speed.