Panhard Bar and Sway Bar are two very popular suspension components for cars and other vehicles. While they provide amazing driving control, when it comes to buying one of these for your car, you might get confused.
Here is an in-depth discussion on Panhard Bar vs. Sway Bar to help you with your confusion.
Go through the differences between Panhard Bar and Sway Bar to understand which suspension would suit your needs the best.
Read More: J Bar vs. Panhard Bar
What Is A Panhard Bar?
A Panhard bar, also known as a Panhard rod, is a suspension component used in vehicles to control lateral movement.
Designed to maintain the side-to-side motion of the axle, this suspension bar keeps the axle centered under the vehicle to give you greater control and maneuverability of your car.
Also, as it moves the axle vertically, it can absorb bumps and shocks significantly for a more comfortable and controlled ride.
What Is A Sway Bar?
A sway bar, also known as an anti-roll bar or a stabilizer bar, is also a suspension component that is specifically designed to reduce body roll during cornerings.
This suspension bar is attached to the opposite (right/left) sides of both rear or front suspension to keep the car balanced while driving. It actively reduces the vehicle’s body tilt and hence eliminates the chances of accidents.
In addition to ensuring safety during suspension rides, a sway bar gives greater control over your vehicle for perfect driving.
Read More: Watts Link vs. Panhard Bar
Panhard Bar vs. Sway Bar
Here is a summary of all the major differences between Panhard Bar and Sway Bar. Go through the table for a quick glance.
| Properties | Panhard Bar | Sway Bar |
| Purpose | Control lateral movement | Reduce body roll |
| Attachment Points | Connected to the axle and chassis | Connected to both sides of the suspension |
| Vehicle Movement | Helps the rear wheels to move up and down | Stabilizes the vehicle during turns |
| Used In | Older trucks, body-on-frame SUVs | Passenger cars, SUVs, and performance vehicles |
| Price | High | Low |
What Are The Differences Between Panhard Bar and Sway Bar
I have explained the differences between Panhard Bar and Sway Bar in detail to make sure to learn about each of them better.
Purpose
Panhard Bar and Sway Bar are both suspension components for your vehicle. However, they serve different purposes.
For instance, Panhard Bar is used to control the lateral movement of the axle of the cars. It not only helps to prevent side-to-side movement of the axle but also keeps your vehicle in place while driving.
On the other hand, Sway Bar was specially designed to reduce body roll during cornering and other maneuvers and give greater control to the driver while driving.
Used In
Both Panhard Bar and Sway Bar has different purposes with different mechanism. And that’s why they are suitable for different types of vehicles.
Panhard Bar helps the rear wheels to move up and down and gives greater maneuverability. And that’s why it is perfect for older trucks and off-road and performance vehicles.
However, the same isn’t true for Sway Bar. This suspension bar stabilizes the vehicle during turns, and hence, it is a great option for passenger cars, SUVs, and performance vehicles.
Price
Another great difference between Panhard Bar and Sway Bar is in their price. Even though they both are meant for the suspension of your vehicle, Panhard Bar is quite expensive when it comes to the price.
On the other hand, even after offering incredible suspension, the price of Sway Bar is quite reasonable.
Read More: Panhard Bar vs. Track Bar
Andy’s Opinion
After comparing Panhard Bar vs. Sway Bar in detail, it is clear that the purpose of these suspension components is far different from one another.
And that’s why, when it comes to choosing one for your particular vehicle, know your purpose before making your decision.
Buying the suspension bar according to your needs will ensure a safe yet comfortable driving, even on suspension roads.
