While off-roading and taking sharp turns is a thrilling experience, it can be risky without the proper vehicle suspension setup. In comparison to street vehicles, UTVs and ATVs are more prone to tipping because they are normally driven on off-road terrain as opposed to roads and highways. Even some of the more experienced UTV drivers can find it difficult to control their vehicle thru different types of terrain without using an electronic sway bar. Rather than limiting the driver’s control while driving a UTV, an electronic sway bar can help redistribute the balance of the vehicle when needed and also allow for suspension flex when necessary.
Electronic sway bars are installed to help drivers avoid accidents and incidents on and off the roads. First and foremost, a sway bar is a safety device designed to eliminate body roll and prevent rollover. The beauty of an electronic disconnecting sway bay is simply the ability to eliminate the compromise the vehicle must make between roll stability and suspension flex. A standard sway bar for an off road vehicle must be designed to prevent body roll and at the same time allow for suspension flex on uneven terrain. The issue then becomes, the more stable (roll prevention) is favored the less suspension flex will be allowed and vise versa. Since the electronic disconnection sway bar is able to disconnect it can be designed to give more stability than a standard sway bar and at the same time give your vehicle it’s full potential to flex on uneven terrain. Keep reading as we share everything you need to know about electronic sway bars and how they can assist you in staying safe on the trails while allowing you to traverse more difficult obstacles along the way.
Electronic Sway Bar History
The electronic sway bar was designed to improve performance on the road or trail while reducing the chance of an accident. When compared to standard sway bars, an electronic sway bar can be engaged and disconnected with the press of a single button. Many modern vehicles, such as the Jeep Rubicon, actually have this feature included. Unlike the standard sway bar, an electronic sway bar is much easier to disconnect since it is connected to the motor through a metal housing. A standard sway bar would need to be disconnected manually, which naturally makes it a difficult to stop get out of the vehicle and disconnect or reconnect each time it is needed.
How Does an Electronic Sway Bar Work?
The electronic sway bar is designed to be easier to use than the standard sway bar with disconnects added. In order to engage the electronic sway bar, the driver simply presses a button to engage it! Yes, it is that simple!
This mechanism works as it runs through the metal housing which connects to the motor. The electric spline in the housing is attached to both ends of the sway bar, and a shift fork attaches the motor to this. A sway bar will be attached to one end of the wheel and this travels to the other end. The bar is a torsion metal spring, so it doesn’t matter how much it bends and moves when you are driving. Even large trucks can travel around the tightest corners when the electronic sway bar is in use, as it will drag the wheels back down to the ground and stop them from going in the air.
Check out this electronic sway bar installation and see how it drives!
What Is the Difference Between Manual and Electronic Disconnects?
Manual disconnect kits work and are a less expensive option. They function by stopping, getting out of the vehicle, and manually mechanically disconnection the links that connect the sway bar to the suspension. The electronic disconnecting sway bar can be engaged or disengaged with the push of a button while still driving the vehicle doesn’t even need to stop. Certainly, the convenience is a big pro for the electronic sway bar, but it doesn’t end there. Typically, the electronic bars are designed to be stiffer and more stable when connected since they do not have to compromise for flex when connected. Some would even say the electronic bar can be safer due to the fact the driver may not stop and reconnect when the stability and roll prevention is needed due to the inconvenience.
What does an Electronic Sway Bar do for a UTV?
Unlike cars and trucks on a smooth highway or road, UTVs are often driven on rocky or rough terrain. Consequently, rounding tight corners can lead to the wheels lifting off the ground completely. UTV tip-overs can cause serious accidents and cause injuries to both drivers and passengers. That’s why an electronic sway bar is a solution that’s designed to drag your wheels down to the ground. In most cases, it will stop the wheels from lifting up at all, which will give the vehicle more traction and makes the driving experience both safer and more comfortable.
To see an electronic sway bar in action, check out the YouTube video below for an excellent UTV demonstration. Watch how the installed electronic sway bar allows the UTV to flex and redistribute the weight!
How Does A Sway Bar Disconnect Help Off-Road Driving?
Off-road driving comes with a whole set of challenges, especially when driving at higher speeds. Whether on gravel or icy, slippery roads, you’ll find that a sway bar will help you to turn and drive safely on these terrains. When a vehicle has too much body roll, this could negatively impact the wheels. It will stop them from gripping the road or could put the wheels out of alignment. The sway bar will make the suspension stiffer and stop the chance of a body roll. As a result, this allows the vehicle to be more stable for drivers and passengers.
Check out this YouTube video of a driver who installed an electronic sway bar for off-road driving!
What Causes a Sway Bar to Break or Go Bad?
There are many reasons why your stock Can-Am, Honda, or Polaris sway bar may break or stop working to its full potential. Naturally, after an extended period of use, you may find that it doesn’t function the same as when you first purchased the vehicle. Excessive turning and too much pressure on the sway bar could result in breakage.
In the case of an accident or damage, you may also find this part will need a replacement. While one of the main aims of a sway bar is to stop incidents from occurring, impact from a crash could damage the bar.
Why Would Someone Want to Replace Their Stock Sway Bar or Upgrade the Sway Bar on Their Can-Am, Honda, or Polaris UTV?
A standard stock sway bar is not going to be able to offer the same level of control and stability as an electronic sway bar. As more drivers begin to recognize their existing sway bar isn’t the best option, more UTV owners are opting to upgrade and replace their stock sway bar with an aftermarket electronic sway bar disconnect. By doing so, these UTV drivers can enhance their overall driving experience with additional control. Just imagine how well your vehicle could drive and perform with an upgraded electronic sway bar.
It’s safe to say we are all looking for ways to enhance our driving experience while keeping ourselves safe on the road. That’s why an upgrade may be a good solution if you feel your current sway bar isn’t engaging as needed. Find the industry’s top sway bar upgrades to improve the drive-ability of your Honda, Polaris, or Can-Am UTV here!
How much does it cost to replace a Sway Bar on a UTV?
If you need to replace / upgrade a sway bar on your UTV, you’ll find that the average cost of this replacement is around $900.00. Halo Sway Bars are a great option for anyone looking to replace their current sway bar. You’ll find their range of products is one of the best on the market, offering high-performing parts. To learn more about Halo Sway Bars, check out this video for more information. Two more videos can be found here and here to help you learn more about using these sway bars in the future should you need a replacement.
If you are looking to upgrade your sway bar on your UTV, we highly recommend buying an electronic sway bar. This technology will help to keep you safe on the road and ensure that your vehicle’s wheels don’t lift too high as you round corners at high speeds. They are also a great way to remain safe when driving on slippery surfaces or rough terrains, which many UTV drivers experience on a daily basis.
Whether you have a broken sway bar or are just looking to upgrade from the one that’s installed on your vehicle currently, we highly recommend looking at the options shared above from Halo Sway Bars. They offer a great range of products for drivers, helping you to remain safe for years to come while driving your UTV.
BUY AN AFTERMARKET ELECTRONIC SWAY BAR DISCONNECT FROM HALO LOCKERS | OX OFF-ROAD
Based in Odessa, Florida, Halo Lockers is the UTV division of OX Off-Road. OX has been making sway bars, lockers, and other off-road-related parts for over two decades. Exceptional quality and product strength define our UTV products. Our products are proudly made in the USA – NOT in China. We only use the best materials, manufacturing, and production processes. When you call us to discuss upgrading your side-by-side vehicle, you are going to talk with an expert. Please call 727-230-7803 with any sway bar product questions or for assistance with the ordering process. Allow us to take your side-by-side vehicle to the next level of safety and performance!