The Relationship Between Torsion Bars and Sway Bars (Anti-Roll Bars)

The Relationship Between Torsion Bars and Sway Bars (Anti-Roll Bars)

The Relationship Between Torsion Bars and Sway Bars (Anti-Roll Bars)
Both torsion bars and sway bars (also called anti-roll bars or stabilizer bars) are suspension components that resist body roll, but they function differently:
1. Torsion Bar
Primary Role: Acts as a spring in some suspension systems (replacing coil springs).
How It Works: A metal bar twists along its axis to absorb vertical wheel movement.
Example: Used in older solid-axle trucks (e.g., classic Jeep suspensions).
2. Sway Bar (Anti-Roll Bar)
Primary Role: Reduces body roll during cornering by linking left/right wheels.
How It Works: Resists twisting when one wheel moves up/down more than the other, forcing the suspension to share the load.
Example: Found in almost all modern independent suspensions.