Rattling end links: tighten or replace?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 552
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Rattling end links: tighten or replace?
2006 vert, MN6, 12,000 miles (yeah, I should drive it more).
Getting some rattling, near as I can tell both front and rear, which I suspect is loose sway bar end links. Is it worth trying to tighten them first (spec is 56 ft lbs), or better to just go ahead and replace them?
How can I diagnose whether or not the noise is the end links? I'd rather not replace them only to find no change.
Getting some rattling, near as I can tell both front and rear, which I suspect is loose sway bar end links. Is it worth trying to tighten them first (spec is 56 ft lbs), or better to just go ahead and replace them?
How can I diagnose whether or not the noise is the end links? I'd rather not replace them only to find no change.
Last edited by John Harry; Jul 16, 2012 at 08:54 AM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 648
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From: Kalamazoo MI
The sound I had was like an exhaust rattling sound, if it is that and coming from more than one area then its 100% the links, like mentioned above, check incase someone didnt torque them up right, If you dont have a torque gauge, just make sure they are on really tight, you will be doing really well to strip the threads. If they are loose, check the rubber grommets supporting the sway bar while you are down there.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 552
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
If you remove the links the sway bar will drop. Either tie it up or take it off too. You'll hardly notice the difference without swaybars in normal low speed turns or going straight at highway speeds. Just don't get crazy.
With only 12K miles, it's not likely the links are bad. That seems to be less miles than I've ever seen posted. Bad links tend to make a knocking/clicking sound when going over things like speed bumps at low speed.
Personally, I'd take the car for a little workout to get it's blood flowing and temperature up again, before looking for rattles, etc.
With only 12K miles, it's not likely the links are bad. That seems to be less miles than I've ever seen posted. Bad links tend to make a knocking/clicking sound when going over things like speed bumps at low speed.
Personally, I'd take the car for a little workout to get it's blood flowing and temperature up again, before looking for rattles, etc.
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 648
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From: Kalamazoo MI
Sorry to disagree HOXXOH, Mine were bad on a 2.5yr old 2008 model with 14K miles, I had just purchased the vehicle used, it managed tp pass all the GM super duper checks for the additional warranty, GM exchanged them through manufacturers warranty.
The sound you mentioned above is correct, its like a bad fitting exhaust going over bumps where it sounds like metal rattles around
Links are pretty cheap, go for what suits your need, Check the parts for sale or forum, you can get used or new from vendors (Kevin from Parts Taxi and Gene from GM Parts House)
I'll be switching mine out soon for the phad light duty sway, just to stiffen it up some.
Last edited by mrgillies; Jul 18, 2012 at 03:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 552
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
I get what you're saying, but the noise you describe is what I'm hearing. Of course, could be exhaust or something. And I'd be the first to admit my hearing is shot. Will check it out.