Hummmm 
Z51 sway bars making noises
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 4,956
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Z51 sway bars making noises
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I know the Z51 bars were installed nice and tight (and checked) and the installer also used a torque wrench to finish up.
Yet turning the wheel while the car is in motion causes one or the other bar to make a "thunk" sound. Not metal-to-metal, more like something is shifting position. Doesn't happen all the time either.
Yet turning the wheel while the car is in motion causes one or the other bar to make a "thunk" sound. Not metal-to-metal, more like something is shifting position. Doesn't happen all the time either.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Westchester CA
Originally Posted by C6 Strangebob
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I know the Z51 bars were installed nice and tight (and checked) and the installer also used a torque wrench to finish up.
Yet turning the wheel while the car is in motion causes one or the other bar to make a "thunk" sound. Not metal-to-metal, more like something is shifting position. Doesn't happen all the time either.
Yet turning the wheel while the car is in motion causes one or the other bar to make a "thunk" sound. Not metal-to-metal, more like something is shifting position. Doesn't happen all the time either.
I have a factory Z51 and I get that same sound. Hard to describe it but it isn't metal to metal. I notice it mostly when I am going either up or down in a multi-story garage. Each time I turn a corner I get that noise. Didn't realize it might be a sway bar. I only started noticing this after the car had about 5,000 miles on it.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,105
Likes: 5
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Originally Posted by jimdavis
I have a factory Z51 and I get that same sound. Hard to describe it but it isn't metal to metal. I notice it mostly when I am going either up or down in a multi-story garage. Each time I turn a corner I get that noise. Didn't realize it might be a sway bar. I only started noticing this after the car had about 5,000 miles on it.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
Yes I had to take the car to dealer 5 times for them to FINALLY AGREE what I had told them from the getgo.. they removed rear sway bar to get to the fuel send unit and they DID NOT TIGHTEN all the nuts and bolts on tightly
If the sound you hear is coming from rear and sounds like someone grabed a hammer to the chassis and gave it a good wack or hear a large thump in rear (like someone dropped a bowling ball) they need to properly torque and tighten those sway bars
If the sound is much more subtle like dropping a golf ball on the back and happens rarely and tends to come more from the front or sides then that is normal... sometimes its the top, sometimes its just the bar doing its thing... if you had any doubt you heard something its normal - if it pops your eyes out and makes you jump throught the top then its most definetly loose sway bar
If the sound you hear is coming from rear and sounds like someone grabed a hammer to the chassis and gave it a good wack or hear a large thump in rear (like someone dropped a bowling ball) they need to properly torque and tighten those sway bars
If the sound is much more subtle like dropping a golf ball on the back and happens rarely and tends to come more from the front or sides then that is normal... sometimes its the top, sometimes its just the bar doing its thing... if you had any doubt you heard something its normal - if it pops your eyes out and makes you jump throught the top then its most definetly loose sway bar
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 12,999
Likes: 1
From: Youngstown Ohio
Originally Posted by C6 Strangebob
Yet turning the wheel while the car is in motion causes one or the other bar to make a "thunk" sound. Not metal-to-metal, more like something is shifting position. Doesn't happen all the time either.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Originally Posted by jimdavis
I have a factory Z51 and I get that same sound. Hard to describe it but it isn't metal to metal. I notice it mostly when I am going either up or down in a multi-story garage. Each time I turn a corner I get that noise. Didn't realize it might be a sway bar. I only started noticing this after the car had about 5,000 miles on it.
CF Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,262
Likes: 21
From: Palm City Florida
Originally Posted by C6 Strangebob
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I know the Z51 bars were installed nice and tight (and checked) and the installer also used a torque wrench to finish up.
Yet turning the wheel while the car is in motion causes one or the other bar to make a "thunk" sound. Not metal-to-metal, more like something is shifting position. Doesn't happen all the time either.
Yet turning the wheel while the car is in motion causes one or the other bar to make a "thunk" sound. Not metal-to-metal, more like something is shifting position. Doesn't happen all the time either.
Had my Chevy dealer install my Z51 sway bars on my F55. No noise at all. I would get it checked out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Originally Posted by C6 Strangebob
The installer did not lube the bushings. They are rubber. He said they only lube the poly bushings that come with aftermarket kits. 