What is a sway bar?
A sway bar is a component that makes up your vehicle’s suspension system. You might also hear these referred to as stabilizer bars. So how does the sway bar work? It’s a U-shaped bar made of steel, the bar is connected to the front wheels. The majority of vehicles have a sway bar, (and many cars have two). Sway bars keep your car from rolling or leaning in corners. When you’re driving at high speeds, the sway bar supports the vehicle.
Why do you need a sway bar?
Vehicles need a sway bar to effectively handle corners. The sway bar prevents the vehicle from rolling. The idea is to enhance grip and corner control. A sway bar functions so that one wheel is elevated above the other. Without a sway bar, it can be difficult to keep your vehicle steady.
A sway bar works by resistance, it goes against the twisting motion that’s applied when the wheel moves. The resistance aims to keep the wheels level and connect the components of the vehicle. The mechanism is used to reduce un-weighting on either side of the car. If a vehicle leans over to one side, this is called ‘body roll.’
When should I disconnect my sway bars in an off-road vehicle?
Sway bars have plenty of benefits, but if you enjoy driving off-road, you might consider disconnecting your sway bar. When you do this, you’ll benefit from improved suspension. It’s worth noting you shouldn’t disconnect the sway bar on a road car, it’s only beneficial for a four-wheel drive. On a four-wheel drive, it’s useful to disengage your sway bar when you’re driving at high speeds. Sway bars are designed to keep the wheels level.
Regardless, when you’re going off-road you’ll want the wheels to move independently. Driving off-road usually means driving a vehicle that has a little extra height (for example a Jeep). If you’re driving on uneven ground, it’s important to maintain traction.
When you disconnect the sway bar, you’ll put less pressure on the wheel axles, and achieve softer suspension. With more axle control, you can tackle large obstacles, and boost your ramp travel index. To learn more about disconnecting your sway bar, contact Red Dot Engineering.
Overall, if you’re going on an off-road adventure, disconnecting your sway bar will help you to improve your driving experience. There are many other benefits of disconnecting the sway bar off-road:
- A smoother driving experience.
- Improved traction.
- Easier to handle obstacles.
What is the ramp travel index?
The ramp travel index uses a twenty-degree ramp, it refers to how far the vehicle can travel before a wheel lifts off the ground. The RTI is judged by the wheel that’s just behind the wheel that first ascends the ramp. The distance is divided by the car’s wheelbase and multiplied by 1,000. The ramp travel index is often used by off-roading experts to determine how well a vehicle performs. If you have any further questions about RTI, Red Dot Engineering can help.
Try an adjustable sway bar
If you own a Jeep, you have the option of purchasing an adjustable sway bar. When you choose an adjustable swaybar, it’s easier to customize your Jeep. Using an adjustable sway bar you can change the suspensions as required. Disconnecting your sway bar is one of the most useful off- road driving tips. If you’re looking for a few more ideas, check out these:
- Ditches: If you’re tackling ditches or deep ruts, it’s important to know the lowest points of your car. It’s best to avoid crossing ditches directly on, (make sure that you angle your car instead).
- Water: It’s best not to drive through deep water, you should only do this if you know that there are no potholes. Ensure that the ground at the bottom is solid rather than soft.
- Approaching Hills: When you’re approaching hills try to avoid holes, stumps, and rocks. Ensure that you do not brake when you’re going down hill.
When you’re going off-road, disconnecting your sway bar can help you to achieve softer suspension, and enhance your driving experience. It’s much easier to tackle obstacles when you disconnect the sway bars. Before you start driving off-road it’s important to get all the key off-road driving tips.