The customer brought this Toyota in after noticing something “broken” and rattling under the car. The cause was readily apparent since a rear sway bar had completely broken in two. Sway bars help stabilize a car around curves or during evasive handling maneuvers, transferring energy to the other side of the car to keep the opposite wheel planted firmly to the road surface for traction and to prevent it from wanting to flip or roll. Virginia state inspection requires them to be checked annually as an important safety component. Failures are usually found on the end of the bar at the sway bar contact “link.” This complete fracture is actually very rare and the first one we’ve ever seen.
Video provided by Forest Automotive: Complete Auto Service and Repair in Forest, Lynchburg, & Goode, VA
