Friday, March 14, 2014
What Are Sway Bar Links in Cars
In 1906, Alanson Brush invented a new, more stable suspension system that incorporated front coil springs, shock absorbers and a flexible front axle. This all came about after William Brush -- Alansons brother -- crashed Alansons car, due to its primitive suspension system. In modern suspension systems there is a bar -- sway bar -- that spans the front, and sometimes the rear, suspension to help with vehicle cornering. A set of metal rods, known as sway bar links, attach to the ends of this bar, and they perform an important task.
Sway Bar Link Function
The sway bar links tie the control arms to the sway bar on the front of the vehicle, and the sway bar to the rear hub assembly, frame or axle beam on the rear of the vehicle. This tying of the suspension keeps the body as level as possible while cornering quickly. The sway bar links have rubber bushings to allow slight body roll. This body roll regulation prevents the weight of the vehicle from shifting, causing the vehicle to lose control.
Sway Bar Link Location
Auto manufacturers install one end of each sway bar link at each end of the sway bar, and the other end of the sway bar link to the control arm.
Sway Bar Link Types
There are two main types of sway bar links, one-piece and multi-piece. One-piece sway bar links have a long bar with studs on each end. The studs connect to a ball-and-socket joint to allow small movements of the link.
The multi-piece sway bar links typically have a total of 11 components, including one link bolt, four rubber bushings, four metal washers, one metal sleeve and one retaining nut. When replacing a multi-piece sway bar link, it is imperative that you install all components in the correct order. Failure to do so may result in poor handling and suspension noise.
Signs and Symptoms of Sway Bar Link Failure
When a one-piece sway bar link fails, it is sometimes hard to know -- it typically makes no noise. If you notice excessive body roll or lean when cornering, it is likely that the ball-and-socket joint has worn and is allowing too much movement.
A multi-piece sway bar link typically fails due to the deterioration of the rubber bushings. This results in excessive body roll or lean when cornering, and an audible jingling sound from the front end. The reason you hear this jingle is that once the bushings fail, the link is loose and bounces up and down with the texture of the road. On occasion, impact may bend or break a multi-piece sway bar link. In this instance you may hear a slight rubbing or banging noise from the front end. You will also notice excessive body roll.
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