Is a thicker sway bar always better?

Question

Accepted Answer

No. While a thicker sway bar increases roll stiffness and reduces body roll, it can also have drawbacks:

- Reduced ride comfort: A too-thick sway bar limits independent wheel movement, transferring more road vibrations to the cabin and making the ride harsher, especially on rough roads.

- Compromised off-road performance: For off-road vehicles, excessive sway bar stiffness reduces wheel articulation, leading to loss of traction on uneven terrain.

- Imbalanced handling: Overly stiff sway bars can disrupt the vehicle’s weight transfer, leading to understeer or oversteer, and may cause uneven tire wear. The best sway bar thickness depends on the vehicle’s weight, suspension design, and intended use (daily driving, track, or off-road).