What is a suspension stabilizer and how does it affect vehicle grip? In the following article we explain the essence of one of the most important parts of a car's suspension.
Stabilizer connector - what is it?
The stabilizer, also called an anti roll bar or a sway bar, does not bother the driver on a daily basis, you only notice when you inspect your car that the stabilizer connector has been damaged. Experienced drivers are able to recognize this problem, which during a slow ride on an uneven surface is manifested by knocking around the suspension system.
Most damage is caused by the condition of the roads. A wheel that falls into a pothole causes a violent impact, which in turn eventually tears apart the rubber element, which ends with the stabilizer rod connector. You may also notice that this happens more often on the right side of the car, which is due to the worse condition of the road on that side.
Repairing this defect is usually neither expensive nor complicated. It is worth taking care of a quick replacement of this element, because a damaged stabilizer in the car can negatively affect your safety.
Sway bar - how does it work?
A centrifugal force is applied to the cornering car and the weight of the vehicle is transferred to the outer wheel. This is compounded by the fact that, for the same reason, the inner wheel loses its stability and grip and the car tilts towards the outer front wheel.
How do you counteract this?
If the table had a shorter front leg (similar to a tilted car), it would be unstable. If you can't put anything under any of the legs, shorten the other front leg. The table will be then tilted forward, but will regain stability.
This is how the stabilizer rod works, which connects both control arms and transmits the movement from one side to the other. When the left control arm rises, the right control arm rises as well.
Automotive stabilizer - construction. The tip of the stabilizer rod often fails.
What is the stabilizer connector used for?
Using only the front stabilizer makes sense if the car is driven by an inexperienced driver. This will result in understeering, but at the same time will make the car behave neutrally on corners by increasing the grip of the rear axle. When driving at a slower speed, the control arm stabilizer will also help improve the steering response.
The situation is different with fast cars that will be driven frequently at high speeds on corners. Such a car in addition to the front stabilizer will also be equipped with one at the back . It will improve the grip of the front wheels on bends entered at a high speed, when too much weight strains the rear wheels.
Movement of the suspension stabilizer.
Sway bar - how does it affect safety?
Grip is one of the most important parameters for road safety, so it is important to choose the best tyre. The transverse stabilizer also ensures that four-wheel grip is distributed evenly and to the maximum possible extent. It increases the load on the individual wheels and the tilt in the bend, thus transferring the grip to all wheels.
In a car with a damaged stabilizer connector, a loss of stability may occur during driving on bends, and the vehicle may behave unpredictably.
Drivers who modify their cars, commonly make the mistake of forgetting about the important role of the stabilizers. They increase suspension stiffness through sports shock absorbers and springs, but are unaware that the original stabilizer was not designed to be used in these conditions. For this reason, it will be too flaccid and will not transfer the increased forces generated by the sports suspension correctly. This may affect the handling of the chassis. The solution is to use a higher performance equivalent with a larger diameter.