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View Full Version : Sway bar squeak and creak.


Matt Johnson
10-09-2006, 11:17 AM
I have Addco front and rear sway bars installed. They are squeaking like m-f'ers when the suspension compresses (speed bumps, driveways, etc.)

A mechanic looked at them today and said he thought it was the hard black rubber bushings - said he's always seen sway bars with neoprene or polyurethane bushings - or even bushings with grease ports?

They sprayed all contact points with silicone lube, but to no avail.

Anyone have any suggestions?

The noise is a pain in the butt and quite simply embarrassing - the car sounds like Fred Sanford's truck every time it goes over a bump.
SergntMac
10-09-2006, 11:28 AM
The mounts should be poly-something in red, or, black, never saw any aftermarket sway bars using rubber. Sprayed on silicone will last about a day.

These bushings require a heavy duty greasing on install, wheel bearing grease or likewise. This lube up should last about a year in climates that have changing seasons, I cannot predict other climates.
KillJoy
10-09-2006, 11:33 AM
When I installed my Sways, I applied a generous amount of Marine Grade Grease to the Bushing, the Clamp, and the Bar itself at ALL mating points.

Also....you may want to check you hood for squeaks too ;) (Seriously)

KillJoy
RF Overlord
10-09-2006, 11:42 AM
^^^what Mac and KillJoy said^^^

My ADDCO rear sway bar included instructions to grease the bushings. I used marine grease and mine hasn't made a sound in over 2 years.
Meteorite
10-09-2006, 12:00 PM
Same here. Only I did it wrong the first time. As you note, the squeak is very embarrassing. So, I unbolted the frame mounts, slid the bushings over, and greased the bar itself. Then, I slid the bushings back and forth over the grease on the bar. Finally, I bolted the frame mounts back up. No problem since then.
LVMarauder
10-09-2006, 12:04 PM
Since I got my fronts ASB I have a squeak that increases with wheel rpm only when I turn the wheel to the left. It doesnt make the squeak when I have my foot on the brake and am turning left though . Someone said it was a pin that slipped out of the brake caliper but i couldnt find anything. Anyone have more specific directions on where I can find it? Its been bugging the hell out of me.
Matt Johnson
10-09-2006, 12:07 PM
Thanks guys. I'll try the marine grease approach.

(FYI - It's definitely not the hood - I've had to fix that notorious squeak twice, but at least it's a quick and easy one requiring no tools.)
Meteorite
10-09-2006, 12:14 PM
Since I got my fronts ASB I have a squeak that increases with wheel rpm only when I turn the wheel to the left. It doesnt make the squeak when I have my foot on the brake and am turning left though . Someone said it was a pin that slipped out of the brake caliper but i couldnt find anything. Anyone have more specific directions on where I can find it? Its been bugging the hell out of me.
Check your front rotors and pads for abnormal wear. I got this exact symptom the same day I noticed my front brake pads were worn down all the way on one side.
AstroVic
10-09-2006, 12:46 PM
Hmmmm, interesting.

I have Addco swaybars (front & rear) on my 2000 Crown Vic Police Interceptor, and I also installed poly bushings and endlinks at the same time. My bushings have zerk grease fittings on them; I'm pretty sure I had to specify that when I ordered the swaybars. Do the Addco offerings for Marauders not offer the greasable fittings, or did you not order them that way? I'm curious...

Also, I've had those swaybars on my car for about two years (or longer) and I've only greased them once, maybe twice, and I have no squeaks or groans, even on grossly uneven turns, surfaces, etc.

For what it's worth, the handling really didn't improve all that much. I thought the Addco swaybars were a waste of (a lot of hard-earned) money for not much performance improvement. I certainly wouldn't buy them again if I had to do it all over. They were a huge disappointment for me. I was expecting a dramatic change (based on testimonials of grandeur) and I simply didn't feel much improvement...if any.

Just my two cents...
MM2004
10-09-2006, 02:31 PM
I too have the front and rear Addcos, and enjoy every time I get behind the wheel.

Using white lithium grease on the ID of the poly bushings, has prevented mine from squeaking since I installed them.

Mike.
KillJoy
10-09-2006, 03:13 PM
For what it's worth, the handling really didn't improve all that much. I thought the Addco swaybars were a waste of (a lot of hard-earned) money for not much performance improvement. I certainly wouldn't buy them again if I had to do it all over. They were a huge disappointment for me. I was expecting a dramatic change (based on testimonials of grandeur) and I simply didn't feel much improvement...if any.

Just my two cents...


That is the first negative opinion I have heard about the Sways. I installed mine along w/ the Rear Control Arms (PHP's). I LOVED the difference. Completely different car. I still HIGHLY recommend this set of Mods (CA's, and Sways).

KillJoy
RF Overlord
10-09-2006, 03:18 PM
AstroVic, maybe the suspension changes for 2003 allowed the larger swaybars to have a greater effect... :confused:

IIRC, I paid about $160 for my rear bar from Dennis, and although it didn't make a HUGE difference, it WAS noticeable and I felt it was worth the money.
SergntMac
10-09-2006, 03:52 PM
While Kenny Brown installed poly bushing as part of the Marauder S suspension upgrade, I elected to add the thicker Addco bars front and rear. I definately got my money's worth, and I'll be adding them to my #3 MM as well.
AstroVic
10-09-2006, 04:24 PM
AstroVic, maybe the suspension changes for 2003 allowed the larger swaybars to have a greater effect...

Perhaps you're right, I don't know.

I usually try to share my experiences...good or bad. In this case, it wasn't so good. *shrug*

:bandit:
Marauderjack
10-10-2006, 03:55 AM
If you have "Poly" bushings you should use only synthetic grease according to the info I got with the Metco control arms??:confused:

FWIW....Metco claims any petroleum grease will degrade synthetic bushings!!:cool:

Marauderjack:burnout:
Bradley G
10-12-2006, 06:21 AM
I got the squeak too.
I thought it was the custom OEM boxed control arms or the custom OEM boxed Watts link, since the noise started, shortly after they were installed.
It has been about a year, since I installed the rear swaybar.
I did not go crazy on the grease, next time I will be a little more generous.
Thanks for the heads up.
fastblackmerc
10-12-2006, 07:14 AM
If you have "Poly" bushings you should use only synthetic grease according to the info I got with the Metco control arms??:confused:

You, sir are correct!
Dan19063
10-12-2006, 07:51 AM
When I installed my Sways, I applied a generous amount of Marine Grade Grease to the Bushing, the Clamp, and the Bar itself at ALL mating points.

Also....you may want to check you hood for squeaks too ;) (Seriously)

KillJoy

I used white lithium grease where do you find marine grade grease at
fastblackmerc
10-12-2006, 08:13 AM
I used white lithium grease where do you find marine grade grease at
Unless marine-grade grease is synthetic I wouldn't use it on the poly bushings. Look for synthetic grease at your FLAPS.
Loco1234
10-12-2006, 12:28 PM
Im from North East Pennsylvannia and I have both Front and Rear Sawys and I never have put greese on them of any kind. Thats including the install.

I also have never heard or experienced such a sqweak... I guess Im just lucky....
Drock96Marquis
10-12-2006, 10:45 PM
That is the first negative opinion I have heard about the Sways. I installed mine along w/ the Rear Control Arms (PHP's). I LOVED the difference. Completely different car. I still HIGHLY recommend this set of Mods (CA's, and Sways).

KillJoy


Todd's experience is not unbelievable to me. The vehicle which they were installed on was a CVPI. The CVPI has much stiffer springs both front and rear than the civlian CV/GMs, as well as the HPPs and Marauders. The -02 CVPI front swaybar is also a 29.5mm unit, and with the factory endlink positioning is actually more efficient per given bar diameter than the ADDCO (again, -02 here) THe ADDCO swaybar, despite it's larger size, with it's futher inboard mounts porbably was a near wash on the front end of his CVPI. The rear end likely jsut felt tighter, but I would imagine nothing night and day unless his exisitng springs and swaybar parts were shot. Knowing Todd though, with his strict maintanence, they were not.


ADDCOs will have a more noticeable effect on all of the softer sprung panthers.



BTW, I used the ENS assembly pre-lube on all of my Poly bushings, silent here, and zerk fittings are on the brackets as well. I will be using Mobil 1 synthetic chassis grease next time the oil is changed, it is bright red in color.
OneBADLsE
10-12-2006, 11:04 PM
I noticed that on my 02' LSE that when i hit the rear brakes hard going around 5 mph, i get a squeak out of the rear (no clue where its comming from). I know its not the brakes (because i know every sound these rattleboxes make). When i hit bumps i get the same annoying squeak as per the person who started this thread indicated. i will try to spray around to accuratly find the origin of the squeak.

Just thought i'd throw that in...Nothing useful to say really other than that..LOL