Rear Sway Bars

What Is a Rear Sway Bar?

How to Select a Rear Sway Bar

Sway bars can either be purchased as an aftermarket product, or they can be custom made for your vehicle. You need to be careful that you choose a sway bar that isn't too stiff. The stiffer the suspension, the more likely you'll see some sort of lift in the inner back wheel. If you choose a rear sway bar that's too soft though, you also risk further steering imbalance. The level of over-stiffness can be tricky to determine when your car has a rear sway bar because the car will seemingly handle perfectly, right up to the point where it starts to spin out. Without knowing the bar's limits, drivers may feel anxious on the road about taking a curve too quickly.

When Should a Rear Sway Bar Be Used?

Rear sway bars are recommended for a variety of vehicles, though it's not always immediately clear when a rear bar is most called for. The general rule of thumb is that a rear wheel drive vehicle will benefit from a front sway bar, while a front-wheel drive will benefit from a rear sway bar. In a front wheel drive, rear sway bars keep the weight distribution across the tires as even as possible. The inside front wheels typically don't play a major role when it comes to steering your car, so you get the force exactly where you need it. So if you're coming into a curve too quickly and don't want to lean too far into it, a rear sway bar will ensure that you don't put yourself or your passengers in harm's way.