Noisy Endlinks
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Noisy Endlinks
Hello All,
I have the Hotchkiss sways and the endlinks are starting to get noisy when the bars are loaded on uneven surfaces. I was wondering if anyone knew what the fix is for this problem?
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I have the Hotchkiss sways and the endlinks are starting to get noisy when the bars are loaded on uneven surfaces. I was wondering if anyone knew what the fix is for this problem?
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 989
Likes: 8
From: Chino Ca.
I am not sure how the end links are on the Hotchkiss sway bar. I know they have a new style end link with sealed bushings that are greaseable, but I am assuming that you have the old style.
I don't have any experience with Hotchkiss, but if they are like the GM T1 sway bar I have the answer! If they are the double heim joint style, with a removable bolt, and two spacers, it is an easy 1 hour job.
Go to Lowes and get some 5/8" clear tubing that is 1/8" thick. It will cost $.39 a foot. A foot will do two cars. Remove the spacers and put them into the tubing and trim to length. Reinstall and go for a ride.
It is cheap, it will only take you an hour, and it will bring back the permasmile! Good Luck!
Or you can get the new Hotchkiss end links for $301.
I don't have any experience with Hotchkiss, but if they are like the GM T1 sway bar I have the answer! If they are the double heim joint style, with a removable bolt, and two spacers, it is an easy 1 hour job.
Go to Lowes and get some 5/8" clear tubing that is 1/8" thick. It will cost $.39 a foot. A foot will do two cars. Remove the spacers and put them into the tubing and trim to length. Reinstall and go for a ride.
It is cheap, it will only take you an hour, and it will bring back the permasmile! Good Luck!
Or you can get the new Hotchkiss end links for $301.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Thanks for all the replies guys!
The endlinks that I have are the new style; I took a close look at them yesterday and I think that the Hotchkiss heim joint studs are not well machined from the factory (the forgings are not turned on a lathe after the forge process is done). It appears that after a certain amount of use, the mold seam on the forged studs wears down and the studs end up fitting loose in the sway bar and lower a-frame hole.
Re-torquing (as tight as humanly possible without breaking anything) the studs & nuts appears to have done the trick.
If anybody else out there has the Hotchkiss set-up, I suggest re-torquing the endlinks after a couple thousand miles.
Thanks again for the replies.
The endlinks that I have are the new style; I took a close look at them yesterday and I think that the Hotchkiss heim joint studs are not well machined from the factory (the forgings are not turned on a lathe after the forge process is done). It appears that after a certain amount of use, the mold seam on the forged studs wears down and the studs end up fitting loose in the sway bar and lower a-frame hole.
Re-torquing (as tight as humanly possible without breaking anything) the studs & nuts appears to have done the trick.
If anybody else out there has the Hotchkiss set-up, I suggest re-torquing the endlinks after a couple thousand miles.
Thanks again for the replies.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
From: richmond va
the factory torque for the nuts is 51ftlbs on each nut .the first time i did them i did not get all 51ftlbs on them they rattled like crazy went back and torqued them each to 51ftlbs and rattle went away....
Last edited by va-c5; Oct 5, 2007 at 12:04 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,267
Likes: 16
From: Syracuse NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
My Hotchkiss endlinks (new style) also clunked and rattled... I re-torqued them but the problem persisted. The fix was my friend the breaker bar and elbow grease. Problem solved.
Somtimes when it needs 5, use 7.
Somtimes when it needs 5, use 7.
