Anti-roll bar for your car

Safely around the bend with the anti-roll bar

The anti-roll bar is a flexible element in the suspension of a car. Its task is preventing lateral rolling of the car, improving the driving dynamics and optimising the road holding.

Task of the anti-roll bar

In a car driving through a curve, the inner wheel bounds out and the outer wheel compresses as a result of centrifugal forces. Repeated load change would cause the car to oscillate excessively and to roll. To prevent this, an anti-roll bar is installed in the car. It generates a counter-force, damping the bouncing of the wheels. The anti-roll bar works proportionally and therefore the compensating movement is always optimal.

Construction and position of the anti-roll bar

The anti-roll bar is a long curved, bar of massive steel connecting the left and right sides of the axle. The connection with the suspension is established by coupling rods. Its force transmission occurs through torsion. The bar runs along the underbody of the car. It is often placed under the radiator. The anti-roll bar is very accessible.

Defects of the anti-roll bar

The driving dynamics of a car are considerably affected by a fractured anti-roll bar. The vehicle starts rolling and can only be kept under control with great difficulty. The loose ends of the broken bar knock against the underbody, causing a typical knocking sound. This defect rarely occurs. Theoretically the anti-roll bar can corrode or break as a result of embrittlement. In that case, the car is very old or hasn't been inspected for a very long time. The anti-roll bar bearing rubbers are considerably more susceptible.

Replacement of anti-roll bar

Replacing anti-roll bar is not very difficult. In most cases, the car must be jacked up and the suspension disassembled. This requires a special tool, the so-called spring compressor. Attempts to remove a spring without a suitable spring compressor can end fatally! The anti-roll bar is fixed to the car body with rubber buffers. Its disassembly is rather simple. If he anti-roll bar looks fully intact, replacing the rubbers can restore full driving safety. If the rubbers are worn, those of the coupling rods will be worn as well. Smart savers prefer replacing only the damping elements. We always recommend replacing all anti-roll bar components. In view of the cheap prices for these spare parts half-baked repair just doesn't make sense.

Other parts that should be replaced as well

A suspension always ages evenly. When coupling rods and anti-roll bar of a car are worn, the following components are bound to soon give up the ghost:

• ball joint
• track rods
• axle sleeves
• shock absorber
• strut bearing

When the anti-roll bar is replaced, many of these parts are already removed or made accessible. It is always a sensible option to replace everything susceptible to wear, like a spring cleaning. This also applies to the A-arm. This component is rather stable. However, its rubber buffers are up for replacement on occasion of maintenance of coupling rods and anti-roll bar.

Costs for anti-roll bar

An anti-roll bar is a large and important component. It must be able to absorb strong forces safely and durably. Therefore, for this spare part only a branded manufacturer also supplying car manufacturers can be considered, resulting in a high price for an anti-roll bar: you can count on 200 – 350 EUR (c. £180 – c. £310) for this spare part. This provides you with a complete set with rubbers. This is an important part and no compromises should be made. Its installation is rather simple and can be performed with home tools.