Anti-Sway bars will help in crashes? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

twoblink · 02-24-2008, 08:34 AM

I have a Toyota Tercel '97, and I was watching some old episodes of Top Gear, and they were talking about crash tests etc.. I see that my Tercel is a 3 star driver, 4 star passenger..

I'm wondering, since nobody talks about it online, if adding front and rear anti-sway bars will help if there's a crash?

The theory (in my mind) is that it should, as chassis stiffness will always help in a crash. I however, am not sure if that will screw up crumple-zones etc..

So any "crash" experts out there, I'd love to get some feedback on how to make the car a bit safer..

I've changed the brakes, which goes with the whole "don't get into a crash" theory..

Also, would love to hear from those who've put anti-sway bars on, do you feel the difference? Most say, slightly, until they have them removed, and then they notice..

Daox · 02-24-2008, 01:49 PM

Sway bars really don't stiffen the chassis. So, the answer would be no, they won't help noticably.

Donald · 02-24-2008, 08:23 PM

Yup!
My son made the same mistake. He ordered strut tower bars for his Integra, thinking that they were sway bars.
He didn't think to consult with the old man first.

twoblink · 02-24-2008, 10:14 PM

I'm quite curious why that is so, aren't you tying a rod from the left side to the right side? If I get hit on the left side, doesn't that additional bar help to displace some of it to the right side??

Daox · 02-25-2008, 06:34 AM

They're held to the chassis via rubber bushings and sheet metal. They won't absorb much energy before they simply rip off.

ShawnM · 02-25-2008, 09:28 AM

Their purpose is to help prevent body roll in normal driving conditions. The sway bar does absolutely nothing for crash safety.

Donald · 02-25-2008, 04:24 PM

Twoblink.
Do you understand the difference between sway bars and strut tower bars, and their intended functions?

twoblink · 02-25-2008, 11:21 PM

Yes, I actually do..

I have a strut tower brace for my Tercel, and I know THAT will help in a crash.

I also do understand that the anti-sway bars are held in place via the (in this case) poly bushings.. What I couldn't find online was any talk about the effect it has (nominal, minimal, none at all etc..) it has on crash safety.

I'm trying to figure out short of slapping down a WRC style roll cage, if there are cheap mods I can do to my tercel to make it safer..

4speedsleeper · 02-26-2008, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twoblink

Yes, I actually do..

I have a strut tower brace for my Tercel, and I know THAT will help in a crash.

I also do understand that the anti-sway bars are held in place via the (in this case) poly bushings.. What I couldn't find online was any talk about the effect it has (nominal, minimal, none at all etc..) it has on crash safety.

I'm trying to figure out short of slapping down a WRC style roll cage, if there are cheap mods I can do to my tercel to make it safer..

What kinda dream world are you in? I grew up in the 90's and never smoked as much crack as you!!! nothing will help you in a crash the only thing you can do is prevent the crash yourself by not being a dumbass, and driving properly.AAAAAAnd also no strut bar is going to save your pathedic ass. you might as well say!! if I were'nt driving at all I would get into an accident!!!! lol p.s your stupid

twoblink · 03-01-2008, 07:10 AM

First I am not sure if the name calling is necessary, and second, I'm sure you must not watch WRC, because 3" piping as a roll cage does definitely help. So your "nothing helps in a crash" is the stupidest comment I've ever read in a car forum.

lol.. YOU ARE STUPID. If you can't reply with any help, please kindly .. don't reply at all.

Heavy_D · 03-01-2008, 09:15 AM

hahaha this is too funny, sway bar just increases you steering so as the strut tower bar, you are right about the body cage, that will help but its common sense wtf a sway bar going to do in a crash, just bend it self in some way thats it. lol

Donald · 03-02-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twoblink

Yes, I actually do..

I have a strut tower brace for my Tercel, and I know THAT will help in a crash.

I also do understand that the anti-sway bars are held in place via the (in this case) poly bushings.. What I couldn't find online was any talk about the effect it has (nominal, minimal, none at all etc..) it has on crash safety.

I'm trying to figure out short of slapping down a WRC style roll cage, if there are cheap mods I can do to my tercel to make it safer..

Short of a cage, I really don't think there is any cheap way to get what you want. I don't believe that a sway bar will help.

As far as the strut tower bar helping, mmmm ....... that is debateable as there are crumple zones designed into the structure that are supposed to collapse and absorb the force of impact and not transmit it into the cage / cabin area of the car.
The strut tower bar might help with impact of a specific force from specific directions, but I wouldn't put faith in it overall, because it could possible work against you too, in certain cases. But like I said, it is debateable.