I've searched the forums and all I can find are threads discussing the differnce between the rear sway bar and the strut tower braces.

Now, I understand that installing the rear sway bar reduces the body roll while cornering, giving it a more kart like ride. How does it do this? My understanding is that it connects the two rear shocks so, when turning, instead of having all the pressure on one shock, it distributes it to both sides, leveling out the rear of the car. Is this right? And if so, is this in essence transforming the fully independend rear suspension on the TC to a sort of semi-independent system? Does this defeat the purpose of having a fully independent rear suspension?

 

It doesn't connect the shocks, it connects the two sides of the suspension and transfers weight from the side on the outer dia. of the turn to the side of the car that is on the inside dia. of the turn. It has no effect on the shocks at all, it does effect the spring loading. A sway bar does not reduce the effectiveness of an independant suspension.

ken

 

The Anti-sway bars are supposed to attach at the lower control arms I think, definately not the shocks...

they work by distributing the cornering forces more evenly between the two tires. You twist one side of the bar, and the other side twists back, effectively forcing the other tire opposite the cornering load to accept more weight transfer.

The anti-sways do not interfere with an Independent suspension.

 

Yes, you are correct, they do make the independent suspension less independent. The gains in handling far outweigh the drawback, which is slightly more wheel movement is transferred from one side of the car to the other if a big bump or pothole is encountered on only one side. Also, most cars come stock with sway bars, so upgrading them typically means they're just going to be stiffer, so it's not like you're going from fully-independent to less-than-independent.

 

Got it. I didn't realize that the rear sway bar replaced an existing bar. But then that brings up another question:
If the TRD sway bar makes cornering better while making the suspension less independent, why do people say that an independent suspension is beter then not?