Front Sway Bar - Is there as specific direction for the torsion bar

[Tidybuoy]

Last weekend I replaced my front bushings & installed a sway bar that came off a 911.

As I dissambled the front end, I noticed that there is a "left" & "right" torsion bar.

Now that a few days have passed, the thought occurred to me - Hmmm, I wonder if the sway bar has to be installed a certain way? Like is there a left side vs. a right side?

I looked at the ends of the swaybar and the only thing that I noticed is a 15mm stamp on one end & what looks like a 2 on the other end (I'm hoping that the 2 is actually an R because it's currently on the right side).

Any advice would be appreciated........................Vern

[914GT]

I could be wrong but I would not think there would be a particular direction to the sway bar. The bar is intended to twist in either direction depending on which wheel is doing what. Normally the force is balanced on both sides. The torsion bars are different as they are always torqued in one direction and the torque increases as more downward force is applied. Maybe somebody knows what makes them left or right, either something in the steel or how it's cut.

[Tidybuoy]

Thanks,

Now that you put it that way, it makes sense that it should twist in either direction.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Actually, the only difference between L and R torsion bars is the letter stamped into them. Period.

The reason that they do that is torsion bars will take a "set" when used to resist force in one direction for a long time. Stressing the bar in the other direction can result in failure of the bar. So, while the bars are identical when new, they are labeled so that you put them back where they came from if and when you pull them out.

And yes, the sway bars are stressed in both directions, depending on which way the car is turning at the time. So they don't really take a "set" and you can put them back in any which way you like.

--DD