If you work with heavy vehicles, you have certainly heard of the stabiliser bar.
This component is essential in vehicles that carry heavy loads on a daily basis.
But do you know what the stabiliser bar is for? Find out everything about this component in this article. Read on!
What is an anti-roll bar?
The stabiliser bar, also known as the torsion bar, is a component that is mostly present in larger cars.
It ensures that the vehicle does not lose its balance when cornering, which is essential for vehicles carrying heavy loads. For example, on poor road surfaces, it gives the vehicle greater stability by smoothing out bumps.
Where is located?
The stabiliser bar is usually located on the rear axle or on the front axle, connecting each of the wheels.
What is the purpose of the stabiliser bar?
The purpose of the stabiliser bar is to increase the rigidity of the axle on which it is located on the vehicle and it acts as an “anti-roll bar” to redistribute the load on the less stressed suspension elements.
Stabiliser bar bushings help in this weight redistribution by allowing smoother contact between components.
What are the types of stabiliser bar?
There are two types of stabiliser bar:
- Front stabiliser bar.
- Rear stabiliser bar.
Within these two categories there can be
- Stabiliser bars with rods.
- Stabiliser bars without rods.
Stabiliser bars can be defined by:
- Fixed rigidity.
- Adjustable rigidity.
What is the service life of a stabiliser bar?
An anti-roll bar has a service life of 200 000 km if all the components connected help it to function properly.
To save this component, the driver should drive more carefully on roads with poorly maintained surfaces.
What are the most frequent stabiliser bar problems?
- Deformations
- Bushings wear
- Damages from road debris;
- Corrosion.
What are the causes of the most frequent stabiliser bar problems?
- Exposure to humidity.
- Sports driving
- Accident damage
- Damage after hitting bumps.
What are the symptoms of a stabiliser bar failure?
- The car slides when driving.
- The car body sways while driving.
- Crunching noises when manoeuvring.
- Knocking noises when the suspension is running.
What is an anti-roll bar link?
Stabilizer bar tie rods, also known as stabilizer bar hangers, are the connection point between the stabilizer bar and the suspension’s centre section.
The stabiliser bar link works in conjunction with the bar to help with the oscillations during driving.
As the bar, the stabiliser link provides rigidity and stability to the vehicle.
The stabiliser link is a small metal component with rubbers on each end that articulates the operation of the stabiliser bar and requires careful maintenance.
What care should I take when repairing a stabiliser link?
Seals, rods and fasteners should be checked when repairing an anti-roll bar.
Wear on these components is visible to the naked eye and should be replaced if necessary.
KROFtools advise that any repair or replacement of the bar should be carried out in a workshop by a professional.
What tools are needed to replace or repair the stabiliser bar?
- Car lift or car jack;
- Spanner kit for loosening the bolts;
- Torque wrench to tighten with the correct torque.
- Workbench so you can organise your tools and the component in question.
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