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

Question

Accepted Answer

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.