Comparing a Sway Bar, Anti-Sway Bar, and TruCenter Steering Stabilizer

Updated 05/24/2020 | Published 05/01/2012

Question:

1. What is the difference in anti-sway and sway bars? 2. What is the difference in sway or anti sway and tru-trac? 3. How does anti-sway bars help in towing a vehicle or a vehicle and boat?

asked by: Max

Expert Reply:

A sway bar (usually the name you know from passenger vehicles) is an anti-sway bar like those in the link I have provided. Anti-sway bars work to reduce side to side movement of the vehicle, giving you more control. They also work to reduce roll when cornering for a better ride. The weight of the load will be more balanced across the length of the axle. And the ride will be more level.

The TruCenter from Blue Ox, see link, is a steering stabilizer. This device attaches to your vehicles steering tie rod on one end, and to its frame on the other, creating a tight connection between the two components that keeps steering firm and controlled.

In addition to simply keeping your steering firm, a stabilzer will minimize wander and loose steering for a more controlled ride, return your vehicle to center when you hit pot holes, uneven pavement or in the event of a tire blowout, and reduce oversteering by dampening the rapid steering movement that occurs when you try to quickly correct. And, in the case of the TruCenter, there is an in-cab, push-button control that lets you manually adjust the tension for a perfect ride.

We actually have an FAQ that covers these products and others that I have linked for you. When using these compnents together, the sway of towing a vehicle or boat trailer will have less of an effect on the towing vehicle allowing you to correct the sway sooner and with more ease.

expert reply by: Michael H

Carlos B.

5/21/2020

A local repair shop call me and they need to replace the sway bar for my 2008 Chev HHR Panel LS ..the cost will be $695.00 is this a fair price? Thanks

Chris R.

5/24/2020

That's really hard for me to say. It depends on local shop rates where you reside, how much the sway bar itself costs, etc. I would call a couple other nearby shops as well to get there estimate to see how it compares, do an online research for sway bars on your Chevy HHR, and make a judgement based on those numbers.