T1 bars and noise
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
It is the T1 end links that are noisy. They are spherical rod ends and have a little slop in the even when they are new. When I say slop it is only .001-.002 of an inch but it is metal to metal. Many people say to just use the factory metal (not early model plastic) end links on the street and you will be fine. The T1 bushings look really good, they are hard rubber I think but have a woven cloth molded in which the bar slides/rotates against which should keep the noise down. They come in a pretty blue color and look to be power coated. I got mine from Fred Bean and I was NOT impressed with their shipping. GM shrink wraps the bar on a card board then puts it in a big box. FB opened and removed the bars from the cardboard and just stuck both bars into the same box with no other packing, except the head gaskets that I ordered! Yep, threw a set of head gaskets in the box with sway bars! 
For $120 shipping I was not impressed. Anyway the bars banged each other up pretty bad leaving several places where the pretty blue was knocked off. 
Someone on the forum posted the part numbers for replacement rod ends that were not noisy. It was probably a year ago I seen that post, you may search for that and find better end links.
I can post photos of the T1 end links if you want to see what they look like.
For $120 shipping I was not impressed. Anyway the bars banged each other up pretty bad leaving several places where the pretty blue was knocked off. Someone on the forum posted the part numbers for replacement rod ends that were not noisy. It was probably a year ago I seen that post, you may search for that and find better end links.
I can post photos of the T1 end links if you want to see what they look like.
Last edited by SpeedyZ; Aug 5, 2005 at 11:12 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
When the T1 bars are propely instanded they are not noisy. The suppenssion must be set and ride height set without the bars connected. Once the ride height is set then the T1 end links are connected with the adjustable heim joint. No noise. Dont forget to lub the bushing. I just used a High temp grease vs carbon lubracant.
The noise comes when ppl adjust the ride height with the T1 end links connected and then they creek
The noise comes when ppl adjust the ride height with the T1 end links connected and then they creek
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands Tx
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
When the T1 bars are propely instanded they are not noisy. The suppenssion must be set and ride height set without the bars connected. Once the ride height is set then the T1 end links are connected with the adjustable heim joint. No noise. Dont forget to lub the bushing. I just used a High temp grease vs carbon lubracant.
The noise comes when ppl adjust the ride height with the T1 end links connected and then they creek
The noise comes when ppl adjust the ride height with the T1 end links connected and then they creek
5 k and no noise. Got to adjust them properly. But it is a little much for a street car. Got to get that thing out on the track to see the difference!
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by MARK's_C5TT
wow, thats a thick-azz bar!
ANTIVINUM what I would do is disconcont the Heim joint, end link from the A-arm, let your car settle a bit, check and if needed adjust the ride height, then ajust the Heim joint and reconect to the A-arm.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by MARK's_C5TT
wow, thats a thick-azz bar!
ANTIVINUM what I would do is disconcont the Heim joint, end link from the A-arm, let your car settle a bit, check and if needed adjust the ride height, then ajust the Heim joint and reconect to the A-arm.
Do this with either a 1/2 tank of gas and your weight of something, I use 200 lbs of old rotors in the drivers seat. then do your adjustments.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 3
From: Chapel Hill NC
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
Blue is the the T1 38.5 mm, black is a '03 Z51, 26.5 mm. the 03 & 04 ZO6 front bars are 28.5 mm thick
ANTIVINUM what I would do is disconcont the Heim joint, end link from the A-arm, let your car settle a bit, check and if needed adjust the ride height, then ajust the Heim joint and reconect to the A-arm.
Do this with either a 1/2 tank of gas and your weight of something, I use 200 lbs of old rotors in the drivers seat. then do your adjustments.
ANTIVINUM what I would do is disconcont the Heim joint, end link from the A-arm, let your car settle a bit, check and if needed adjust the ride height, then ajust the Heim joint and reconect to the A-arm.
Do this with either a 1/2 tank of gas and your weight of something, I use 200 lbs of old rotors in the drivers seat. then do your adjustments.
The goal is to avoid preload on the bar by having the car settled on the suspension before adjusting and attatching the second endlink.
