Adam Boca

I just put on a 32mm front sway bar and really love the handling! One question though...

The noise that this sway bar produces is LOUD...is it the bushings or the bar itself? Can I get this noise to stop or to drastically reduce?

Thanks!

BTW: Also put Carbotech XP10s and AP Racing DOT4 fluid in...I am ready for the National Corvette Museum HPDE at Putnam Park and for Oct. 19-21 at Autobaun CC!

Adam

John Shiels

what type of noise? Should be no noise

Adam Boca

when I hit a bump it sounds like metal to metal rubbing....

I have HEIM endlinks...Do these need to be super tight to where there is no play, or should they still be able to move a little?

Adam

Adam Boca

What do the sway bar endlinks need to be torqued to?

John Shiels

no preload with the car suspension loaded but not loose either. Look to see it is not hitting the A-arm on one side. Bar needs to slide and rotate freely but not be loose and well lubed. I havre 45,000 on mine and never heard a noise. Their are a few nicks in the paint where it contacted the a-arm a few times in all those miles.

Adam Boca

The movement is in the ball joints....Do they need to be greased?

Thanks!

Adam

John Shiels

ball joint have no movement unless they are worn out. I am amazed mine have not worn out after 45,000+ miles. I spray them with lube every so often. I just tighten the nut that holds the endlink never bother torquing it. Do you mean the jam nuts? That should not be real important either as long as they are tight.

found this


Definition: A flexible coupling in a vehicle's suspension that connects the control arm to the steering knuckle. A ball joint is so named because of its ball-and-socket construction. Some are designed to never require grease while others should be lubed every six months. As the joint wears, it becomes loose. The result is suspension noise and wheel misalignment.

wtknght1

I've always heard some 'clunking' after installing the T1 bars and adjustable heim links, but that's normal for those. I've never heard any 'scraping' though. John's probably right...make sure the sway bar is not contacting the lower A-arm. Those adjustable links should be adjusted up high enough where they don't cause the bar to contact the arm.

Z06cool

I just installed a GM T1 swaybar kit with it's metal endlinks and new bushings. The shop applied some Sabesto silicone lubricating compound on the bushings both inside and out. I like the tightness but hear a squeaking noise in traffic. Nothing if I'm going at constant speed. Still researching this but any help getting rid of that noise would be appreciated.

Zip Corvettes

Adam,
What year car do you have? The heim ends are very loud when you hit bumps. Give me a call and fill me in on what you have, I have been thinking about getting down to the museum again.
Thanks
Justin Abbott
Zip Products

John Shiels

Not sure on the newer kits but I think you need to have 2-3 washers to shim the bushing clamp out from the frame or it is to tight. Bar should be snug and able to slide and rotate not crushed. There should be no noise or squeaks.

I never heard a noise in 55,000 miles

Adam Boca

I have metal endlinks that should be here on Saturday. Hopefully I can get them on soon and fix the noise problem.

The bar I purchased was used and came with the HEIM endlinks and on eack side they have the washers. The bar rotates freely, so I do not think the bar is hitting anything, so it must be the endlinks or the bushings...

I will call you tomorrow Justin. Can you PM me your direct phone number or extension?

Thanks!

Adam Boca

SFVetteman

Try using lithium grease in the bushings. I used an aerosol can of it that I have laying around to use on door locks, hinges, etc. and sprayed quite a bit of in the bushings when I installed the bars.

My bars make no noise now but they did initially because the way I had the adjustable links set up, they were putting a little preload on the suspension as well as positioning the bar too close to the lower control arm.

kelp

Lift the car, then from directly underneath grab the bar and try to reproduce the noise. A small play in the link bearing caused mine on my T-1s. It was so unbearable, I returned to the stock link.

John Shiels

there should be mo play in the hiem or link bearing.

ghoffman

Heck, just go get the stock C6-ZO6 end links. They are solid aluminum and are silent.

Sully C5

I use LGM links on my T1's...no noise.

Z06cool

I bought some lithium grease to try but then got a reply back from GMPARTSDIRECT which suggested I use graphite lubricant. I bought a small tube and it came in a black powder and kinda makes sense now since the T1 bushings have a meshed fabric inside which I assume is for holding that graphite residue better. Anyway, bushing squeak is gone now I just hear a little chatter from the endlinks that I didn't hear before because the squeaking was so loud ...but much better than before.

ICaughtVetteFever

Are they any better than the C5 aluminum ones?

Adam Boca

I got all metal endlinks and there is no more noise!!!!