Is it necessary to install a stabilizer bar?
2 Answers
Whether it is necessary to install a stabilizer bar depends on the vehicle type. Generally, stabilizer bars are installed on performance cars or racing cars, and there is no need to install them on family sedans. Installing a stabilizer bar does not harm the car. The stabilizer bar is used to stabilize the car body and is developed based on the car's chassis. It can both stabilize the car body and effectively protect the car's chassis. After installing a stabilizer bar, there is no noticeable difference when driving on well-paved roads. However, its effect becomes more apparent when turning or driving on mountain roads, as it helps stabilize the car body and reduces roll. If a side collision occurs after installing a stabilizer bar, the shock absorbers on both sides of the car may suffer varying degrees of damage. Since the car is a unified structure, the entire car may deform. Without a stabilizer bar, only the single-side front wheel and its shock absorber might be damaged. Therefore, it is not recommended to install a stabilizer bar on family cars.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I firmly believe that sway bars are completely unnecessary for regular family cars. The factory-installed suspension system is more than adequate for daily commutes, grocery runs, and school pickups – you won't notice significant body roll during normal cornering. The most noticeable change after installation is increased harshness; going over speed bumps feels like driving a rigid commercial truck. With prices starting at 500-600 RMB, that money would be better spent upgrading tires or investing in a premium sound system. Most importantly, many aftermarket sway bars from small workshops use substandard materials that may compromise chassis rigidity and potentially increase safety risks in accidents. Unless you're regularly driving mountain roads, I strongly advise against this modification.
