End Links? Did I make a Mistake?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: Lynchburg Virginia
End Links? Did I make a Mistake?
I have a 03 Z06.. I saw GMParthouse special for new C6Z06 suspension package, shocks, sways etc.... and all the raves about the upgrade.. So I bought it.. been on the car about 2-3 Months...
However what I didn’t read is the Sways were meant to upgrade C5 Base models .. .not intended for C5z06..oops on my part..
but since I had them, I installed them anyways...
2-3 months later,, I have front end links failing (Loud clunking noises, low speed, bumps..).. Is this a coincidence? or is there a fitting problem? Should I go back to my stocks?..
However what I didn’t read is the Sways were meant to upgrade C5 Base models .. .not intended for C5z06..oops on my part..
but since I had them, I installed them anyways...
2-3 months later,, I have front end links failing (Loud clunking noises, low speed, bumps..).. Is this a coincidence? or is there a fitting problem? Should I go back to my stocks?..
Last edited by JJBZ06; Aug 7, 2012 at 04:31 PM. Reason: Spelling
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,476
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
I have a 03 Z06.. I saw GMParthouse special for new C6Z06 suspension package, shocks, sways etc.... and all the raves about the upgrade.. So I bought it.. been on the car about 2-3 Months...
However what I didn’t read is the Sways were meant to upgrade C5 Base models .. .not intended for C5z06..oops on my part..
but since I had them, I installed them anyways...
2-3 months later,, I have front end links failing (Loud clunking noises, low speed, bumps..).. Is this a coincidence? or is there a fitting problem? Should I go back to my stocks?..
However what I didn’t read is the Sways were meant to upgrade C5 Base models .. .not intended for C5z06..oops on my part..
but since I had them, I installed them anyways...
2-3 months later,, I have front end links failing (Loud clunking noises, low speed, bumps..).. Is this a coincidence? or is there a fitting problem? Should I go back to my stocks?..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I have a 03 Z06.. I saw GMParthouse special for new C6Z06 suspension package, shocks, sways etc.... and all the raves about the upgrade.. So I bought it.. been on the car about 2-3 Months...
However what I didn’t read is the Sways were meant to upgrade C5 Base models .. .not intended for C5z06..oops on my part..
but since I had them, I installed them anyways...
2-3 months later,, I have front end links failing (Loud clunking noises, low speed, bumps..).. Is this a coincidence? or is there a fitting problem? Should I go back to my stocks?..
However what I didn’t read is the Sways were meant to upgrade C5 Base models .. .not intended for C5z06..oops on my part..
but since I had them, I installed them anyways...
2-3 months later,, I have front end links failing (Loud clunking noises, low speed, bumps..).. Is this a coincidence? or is there a fitting problem? Should I go back to my stocks?..
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 210
From: Huntersville, NC
did you lube the rubber bushings? the sway bar will pop in the rubber bushing if it is dry. Put a little di-electric grease in the bushing and make sure they both slide easily on the sway bar and the noise will probably go away. The links have a spherical seat in them and I would doubt you broke them. The original base links, non Z06 were plastic, so they really do not see a big load.
You are just a few miles from me I'm in Goode.
You are just a few miles from me I'm in Goode.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: Lynchburg Virginia
I will try lubing the bushings.. The ones that came from GMpartshouse for the rear fit perfect, the front ones were a little tight and i have to really crank on it to sit flush.. so could be too tight, but i am just now hearing things.. 2-3 months later..
Well I Jacked up the car, pulled the wheel, and I was essentially able to move the end link with my hand, it seemed to have soooo much play in it. Bolts "seemed" tight, but I will torque stick them again...
Well I Jacked up the car, pulled the wheel, and I was essentially able to move the end link with my hand, it seemed to have soooo much play in it. Bolts "seemed" tight, but I will torque stick them again...
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
If you had to crank down on the front bushing clamp, it is too tight for proper sway bar movement. When the clamp is tightened the bar should be able to be easily rotated in the bushing with your hand. If too tight, it will load up and Pop as it moves making a bad noise. Remove clamps, lube bushing with high temp silicone grease, then test movement with end links disconnected. If still very tight, put a single washer under one end of the clamp and tighten down - try to move - if still too tight add another washer, etc. That should fix your problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
If you had to crank down on the front bushing clamp, it is too tight for proper sway bar movement. When the clamp is tightened the bar should be able to be easily rotated in the bushing with your hand. If too tight, it will load up and Pop as it moves making a bad noise. Remove clamps, lube bushing with high temp silicone grease, then test movement with end links disconnected. If still very tight, put a single washer under one end of the clamp and tighten down - try to move - if still too tight add another washer, etc. That should fix your problem.
I posted this up a while ago how the bushings were actually wrong for the application. They fit the bar fine, but not the bracket. I built spacers for mine from .150" thick aluminum. I also added Zirk fittings to the brackets for greasing.
At the same time I added the C6 bars, I replace the end links. The holes in the bar where they bolt on are sloppy to the end link bolts. So much so that if they get loose at all they are going to clunk. Forget the torque spec, tighten them until the clunk goes away. I was tempted to machine some sleves for the bolts where they pass through the bar to take up the clearance. I may still do that because it bugs me.....
Ron
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
I posted this up a while ago how the bushings were actually wrong for the application. They fit the bar fine, but not the bracket. I built spacers for mine from .150" thick aluminum. I also added Zirk fittings to the brackets for greasing.
At the same time I added the C6 bars, I replace the end links. The holes in the bar where they bolt on are sloppy to the end link bolts. So much so that if they get loose at all they are going to clunk. Forget the torque spec, tighten them until the clunk goes away. I was tempted to machine some sleves for the bolts where they pass through the bar to take up the clearance. I may still do that because it bugs me.....
Ron
like the pics...way more helpful than the common rhetoric I've been getting. So, your hand is showing the 2 gaps that you fixed with the aluminum spacers, right? looks like a huge gap.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
Yes, maybe my spacers were .25".
At any rate, the bar is just snug in the bushing. As was mentioned above, you don't want it bound up.
I'm not sure why the bars come with the wrong bushings......
At any rate, the bar is just snug in the bushing. As was mentioned above, you don't want it bound up.
I'm not sure why the bars come with the wrong bushings......
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: Lynchburg Virginia
This is really helpful information, I should have thought to use some spacers to assist in not having it so tight. More i think about it, the more i realize how tight they really were. Tonight I am going to pull the front and back sways, and redo the application with the proper spacing and lube. I did in the meantime order new end links anways.. to be safe, so.. got plenty to do tonight.. Very Very Helpful!!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
This is really helpful information, I should have thought to use some spacers to assist in not having it so tight. More i think about it, the more i realize how tight they really were. Tonight I am going to pull the front and back sways, and redo the application with the proper spacing and lube. I did in the meantime order new end links anways.. to be safe, so.. got plenty to do tonight.. Very Very Helpful!!
and those end links will go on very easily and fast.