Wiredman

I got the replacement C5 ZO6 sway bars from GM Parts Direct which had the metal links and rubber bushings (took a month to receive them). After installing the bars the front drivers side bushing is making a creaky,kind of knock sound. I took it back to who installed it and while up on the lift we located the sound by moving the sway bar. It's not in the link, but in the bushing. The front bushings had a serated profile-not smooth like the rear bushings (does that sound right?). I had him use a synthetic lubricant which is ok with rubber-there's plenty on the bushing- but it makes this sound when going over bumps. Maybe it'll go away but if I have to, where can I get poly bushings for the ZO6 sway bars? Anybody know? Also, should I use a lubricant if I install the poly bushings-and what type?

Brad@RevXtremeAutoSports

I got my Poly from Vette Brakes. Great people there. My show will cover the C5 Z06 sway bar install shortly. Good Luck

v.vet's Z06

I had the same problem over a year ago. I bought polyurethane bushings from Ecklers for the front and rear and all noise went away. Originally only the fronts were noisy when I went over speed bumps at slow speeds but decided to replace the rears also to prevent any future problems. I discovered the poly bushings after trying a half dozen different lubricants that didn't work for me.

RatedX

My poly bushings are great! Very happy!
The lubricant is supplied withe the poly's

02gt350

when i did my exhaust and had to drop the rear sway, i had the same noise. Turned out the sway bolt wasnt torqed down far enough. I will be doing Z bars soon and will buy poly bushings from ecklers. they are 14$ for front and 14$ for back. Anyone know of cheaper?

02gt350

now i heard to lube the rear but not front...true? or lube both?

gpracer1

While you are waiting for your poly bushings to arrive, try anti-seize on the bushings....works great. Ask me how I know

02gt350

how do you know?

gpracer1

At least the poly bushings were cheap. And not a squeak since.

BanditDude

You need to lube both. My front was the worst.

REDEVIL

I agree. I went through the same thing earlier this year when I installed my Z06 sways. They immediately creaked and groaned, and I pulled them off a couple times to try different lubes. Nothing worked, then I bought the poly bushings from Ecklers, and now 6 months later still no noises!!!!

LoneStarFRC

Synthetic caliper grease in my stock rubber bushings. No noise at all.

z9cougar

Try putting a washer or two between the metal piece that covers the bushings and the frame. Even after lubing mine, the bushings were just too tight around the sway bar. This eliminated the noise and the bar is still held firmly.

Gannet

How is it that stock Z06 cars don't creak?

yellow01

I use the same synthetic grease that I use to lube all the zerks on my jeep's suspension/steering. Never a noise.

mr_walsh

What would I do without the Internet & Corvette Forum. I think I have the same exact problem.

Could someone confirm...with the Ecklers (part# 45015, right?) I will need to remove the bar from the links, no? From the photo it does not look split.

I'm tempted to just try a lubricant with the 'split' bushings.

mr_walsh

z9cougar, with regard to the washers, any reason you decided to use washers rather than just back off the screws a bit?

gpotski

I used the washers too. I lube them once/twice a year with Amsoil synthetic lithium grease.

I think just backing the screws out would not be a good idea, as it would not be torqued down to spec then.

Autoworker

Got mine from GM Parts Direct also. Try sitting the car on something like Rhino Ramps and loosen the bushings. Re-torque the bushings with a load on the suspension. Worked for me.



While you're at it, remove the bar, lightly sand and clean it, and spray it with Krylon Fusion Red Pepper paint.

SLPRC5

I did the washer implants on my rear bushings that was squeaking. I also use Di-Electric grease on my bushings. No more squeaks.