12 VN 54 | APRIL – JUNE 2019
ANTI-ROLL
STABILITY
febi sheds some light on the underrated
stabiliser bar and some key failure
symptoms to look out for.
Connecting the wheel suspension
of an axle with the body structure,
the stabiliser bar (or anti-roll bar)
plays a major role in ensuring
the safety and comfort of a car
journey. They have been installed
in passenger cars for many decades
and the design has practically
remained unchanged. While many
cars are equipped with a stabiliser
bar on the front axle, some
applications feature them in the
rear axle as well.
The layout of a typical modern front
suspension system showing the
location of the stabiliser link
PART OF A WORKING SYSTEM
Part of the stabiliser system that
comprises other components
like the links and bearings, the
stabiliser bar is mostly mounted on
a subframe and in rubber bearings.
The stabiliser links connect the bar to the
suspension struts or the control arms. Special
ball joints on the stabiliser links ensure the
necessary freedom of movement to allow the
stabiliser bar to do its job flawlessly.
terrain is often a warning sign of failure
or damage to the stability system. These
are most often caused by worn bearings or
defective ball joints on the stabiliser links.
Worn bearings cause the stabiliser bar to
rattle on deflection and rebound.
Failure of, or damage to,
the stabiliser bar is mostly
inexpensive to fix. This is due to
the relatively low material costs,
and straightforward installation.
However, if the stabiliser bar is damaged,
the vehicle should not be moved. A failing
or damaged stabiliser bar can heighten the
risk of uncontrolled rolling of the vehicle
body – increasing the risk of the vehicle
overturning.
REPLACE IT RIGHT
When replacing a stabiliser link, the installer
should always ensure that the correct torque
is applied during installation. Failing to do so
can damage the ball joint, causing premature
wear and breakage.
When a wheel deflects, the torsion of the
stabiliser bar ensures that the other wheel
is also raised and lowered on rebound. This
prevents excessive rolling (lateral tilting)
of the body when cornering. If two wheels
deflect simultaneously, the stabiliser bar does
not activate.
KNOCK-ON EFFECT
Loud knocking noises that frequently occur
in the suspension when driving over uneven
A frequently installed type of
stabiliser link features ball joints
that are protected by a rubber
boot from water ingress and
contaminants. Packed with grease
to make movement as frictionless
as possible, the rubber boot
or the associated seal can be
damaged. When this occurs, the
excess water ingress can cause
unnaturally high wear where the
key symptom manifested is a
knocking sound.
When replacing a stabiliser link, always ensure that the correct
torque is applied
febi stabiliser components are OE
matching quality and are available from
FPS via same/next-day delivery. For more
information, please speak to your local FPS
representative.