pitted sway bar causing noise?

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Jul 31, 2013 | 01:02 PM

T_Vert

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Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 6,126

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From: Streamwood illinois

pitted sway bar causing noise?

I've isolated it to the rear bar. I've replaced the bushings and it went away for a while then came back. I lubed it and the same thing happened. I knew it was pitted when I did all this but hoped I could just get away w/ new bushings. I've disassembled it one last time and used dry graphite powder in hopes that fixes it. Anyone ever have a bar pit before and did it cause loud operation?
I've attached a few pics also.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4hk1lryz0n...2011.33.28.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/b4e03ogjj5...2011.32.48.jpg
Thanks in advance.

Jul 31, 2013 | 01:36 PM

callie454

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Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 606

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From: Long Island

Check the end links and associated hardware. Noise could be coming from there. Might look at upgrading to metal end links. Also, I've heard of away rusting from the inside out... Yours doesn't look that bad from those two pics, though. Hope this helps.

Jul 31, 2013 | 01:46 PM

T_Vert

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 6,126

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From: Streamwood illinois

That is a z06 bar w/ metal end links. The end links move freely and quietly. I have no idea how a solid bar would rust from the inside out but the rest of the bar looks perfect. The car does not see rain or snow.

Dave

Jul 31, 2013 | 01:53 PM

callie454

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Joined: Mar 2012

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From: Long Island

Not solid. Hollow. Seen it happen on a CF member's Z.

I'm on the mobile skin- can't see that you've got a Z. Since you posted in C5 tech vs Z06, I made an assumption. Sorry for the confusion.

So- You sure that its the sway? Try wrapping the bar in Teflon tape and mounting it back in. Wrap the tape only where it comes in contact with the bushings.

Could the noise originate from a shock? Upper control arm mount? Loose lugs? Reaching I'm sure, but I'd hate to miss something.

Jul 31, 2013 | 01:58 PM

T_Vert

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 6,126

Likes: 19

From: Streamwood illinois

I have a non z06 w/ z06 bars sorry for the confusion. I wasn't aware they were hollow but I can see water getting into one and eating it from the inside out. I've removed the sway bar and noise went away so I'm 100% sure its the bushings. I've got Teflon tape up front and I may put it in the back if this graphite powder doesn't work. I just don't want to keep wasting my time w/ this if it is the pitting in the bar causing this.

Dave

Jul 31, 2013 | 02:02 PM

callie454

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Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 606

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From: Long Island

I would give the Teflon tape fix a shot. Move on to more expensive options once the cheap fixes have run out.

Last edited by callie454; Jul 31, 2013 at 02:10 PM.

Jul 31, 2013 | 02:08 PM

Socko

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Joined: May 2012

Posts: 666

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From: Milwaukee WI

Most of them look like that at this point. They dry out and then the bushing binds and rips the paint off the bar and it rusts.

You can do all sorta **** for a short term fix. Only way to fix it would be to get proper sized bushings for the bar once its recoated so it doesn't just rust again.

Honestly for the few thousand miles a year my car gets driven, i just regrease them a couple times a year.

Last edited by Socko; Jul 31, 2013 at 02:13 PM.