What is a sway bar on a Subaru?

About Sway Bars on a Subaru
A sway bar, also known as a stabilizer bar, is a crucial component of a Subaru’s suspension system. It plays a significant role in reducing the car’s body rolls during tight cornering or while driving on uneven terrain, thereby making the vehicle safer to drive, especially at high speeds. Sway bars are situated underneath a vehicle and link the left and right wheels together using short lever control arms that are held by a torsion spring for optimal vehicle balance. They are considered to be one of the more popular modifications for vehicles, as they significantly improve and change the handling dynamic of the vehicle.
Performance Upgrades and Kits
For Subaru vehicles, there are various performance sway bar kits available, designed with performance and handling in mind. These kits have been engineered to improve traction and handling by eliminating flex and other unwanted movement, creating more grip for the wheels and giving the vehicle greater control and increased boost. These sway bars are fully adjustable, providing greater control over the vehicle’s suspension.
Sizing and Manufacturers
Sway bars come in different sizes, and the choice between solid and hollow bars depends on factors such as weight and application. Manufacturers of sway bars include Whiteline, Cusco, Addco, Perrin, Cobb/Hotchkis, and even Subaru, with options for both front and rear sway bars.
Specific Products
There are specific sway bar kits available for various Subaru models, such as the 19mm or 20mm rear sway bar kits, which are designed to replace the stock unit and eliminate rear sway. Additionally, there are adjustable sway bars, such as the Whiteline 20mm 2 point adjustable sway bar, which is designed to reduce body roll, spread lateral loads more evenly across the tires, and increase cornering grip for better handling and outright performance.
In summary, sway bars play a crucial role in enhancing the handling and stability of Subaru vehicles, and there are various options available for performance upgrades and kits, catering to different models and driving preferences.

How long does it take to fix a sway bar on a car?

To replace sway bar links, you don’t have to be a master mechanic, and each side will usually take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your skill level and the complexity of your vehicle. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what you need to do the job, the process, and tips to help it go well.

Is it safe to drive with a bad sway bar?

It is possible to still drive a vehicle with broken sway bar links, but handling performance will suffer so use caution by driving on paved roads, taking turns slowly, and staying off high-speed highways and/or interstates that require lane changes.

Is it expensive to replace sway bar?

Generally, the average sway bar link replacement cost you must pay will be between $125 and $160 including labor and the part costs.

What does a sway bar do for a car?

And therefore determine roll stiffness. When your car is driving straight the bar rotates in its bushings. And has zero effect on handling.

What happens when a sway bar goes bad?

Clunks and rattles are common when the sway bar is damaged or worn. Sway bar bushings or end links have excessive play, contributing to metallic clunks. Uneven tire wear. A strong indicator of a sway bar issue is abnormal tire wear since there’s abnormal weight born on the outer edge of the tire during cornering.

How much does it cost to replace a sway bar?

And the labor costs associated with the repair and replacement of the suspension system are usually lower than the cost of repairing other parts in your car. Generally, the average sway bar link replacement cost you must pay will be between $125 and $160 including labor and the part costs.

Is a sway bar an easy fix?

To replace sway bar links, you don’t have to be a master mechanic, and each side will usually take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your skill level and the complexity of your vehicle. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what you need to do the job, the process, and tips to help it go well.

What happens if you don’t replace sway bar?

Ignoring a bad sway bar can lead to more serious problems down the line, such as damage to the suspension or steering system. In some cases, a bad sway bar can be repaired by replacing the damaged parts. However, if the sway bar itself is damaged, it may need to be replaced entirely.

Is it worth replacing sway bar?

The vehicle will drive, even with faulty sway bar parts, but you might be creating an unsafe situation by doing so. If you are aware that any part of your sway bar is bad, and your vehicle is designed to drive with one, then you should replace it as soon as possible.

Is a sway bar expensive to fix?

Your mechanic might also recommend replacing the whole sway bar. In such a situation, the sway bar replacement cost can range somewhere between $200 to $300.