New Controll Arms Installed--ID NEW PROBLEM- SWAY BAR RUBS EXHAUST PIPE

[Marauderman]

New Mac and Zack Control Arms Installed Today...But

Well- I am excited and a bit pixxed at the same time---Let me start at the begining with the PROBLEM first so ALL can check theirs first--ok---

The day started off great--pulled the MM into the Performance shop, up on the lift she goes for the Mac and Zack new control arms install,.....AND then it appeared --Right in front of all of our faces----

We're looking at the rear of the car on the lift and on the right hand side of the rear sway bar ( after market mod -not OEM) has this huge rubbed-off-filed-out area about the size of quarter in width and about 1/8" deep staring us in the face ....oval in shape...further looking reveals a similar piece rubbed out on the right hand upper exhaust area that goes up and over the axle......holly shxT!!

Obviously, the sway bar, under torque and/or any weight on the axle, is making contact with the exhaust pipe over the axle and BOTH are loosing their compound make-up siginificantly!!! I had my camera with me and took pics to post--CHECK PHOTO GALLERY FOR PICS
All whom have change out the OEM sway bar for a larger one should check theirs to make sure there is no rubbing between it and the exhaust pipes....especially the right side...

Ok, the initial fix thought was to loosen the X-pipe connection and change the angle of the pitch of the pipe over the axle and re-tignten , putting the pipe higher upwards, thus further away from the sway bar---ok did that--car back on lower ground--no good--still too close even though we did raise the angle---so ...

Ralph Maya, of Carolina Performance Racing in Charlotte, said the next step is to push back the exhaust pipe about 1/4 " to free up the space between it and the sway bar----well, since I still had the OEM mufflers( alot of folks were wondering why I hadn't changed them yet--saying --was waiting for a reason ---well --here it is) and since the exhaust pipe would have to be cut and extended,, thought ...here your reason--so ...on Tuesday new 18" Magnaflows go on....and this will hopefull fix the problem and get a newer roar from launch...eh Sarge!

Well,, since all this was still rubbing, after the New arms were installed I was basically under orders not to WOT or "get-on it" until return for new mufflers next Tuesday--so I had to take it easy on the way home.

BUT>>>>>>>>>The car drives like a SNAKE...WOW! even with no real thrill on the gas , just zig and zaging ..man or man...a snake is the best way to describe the car steering--- so cool!!!...

Sorry for being long winded ,, but wanted all to hear my situation ....I only hope the extension will solve my problem next week...stay tuned.....

BUT THE CONTROL ARMS PUT THE MM IN A SNUG SNAKE CONTROL FEELING!!

Thanks Mac and Zack.....................Tom

OK ..now --all others go check your sway bar for rubbing.......

[FordNut]

Ouch! Looks like the stainless exhaust system is winning the erosion battle with the mild steel sway bar. From the angle it appears the pics are made at, I suppose you could see this without putting the car on a lift? But it could possibly be the clunk some of us hear when making right turns to pull into driveways.

[Marauderman]

Actually, pics taken when car was on lift, exposing this problem--when back on the ground--you cannot see it --both areas are on top of each other almost, blind to the eye while on the ground practically---

Wife did say she had heard some pinging going on but couldn't pin-point it--me -I just shrugged it off---duh!.....

......you may need to put it at least on ramps to get a better "eye" on it.......Tom

[CRUZTAKER]

Hey thanks Marauderman....

To my surprise as well, after walking out to the barn with a flash light, I have a similar issue.

Oddly enough though, I have boo-koo clearance on the right side, like 3 inches, but only 1/2 inch on the left. There is but only the slightest of evidence of abrasion, but if I jiggle the tail pipe, it will touch.

I'll have to figure out a fix, as I already have a completely replace exhaust system.

[HwyCruiser]

Just checked mine. No clearance issues. At least 1 1/2" between the sway bar and the exhaust on both sides.

I could see if the rear was lowered where it may be an issue, because the exhaust starts to bend away from the sway bar just above it. Maybe factory variations on how the pipes were bent?

Oh yeah, Zack & Mac control arms rock :rock:

- JD

[RCSignals]

All whom have change out the OEM sway bar for a larger one should check theirs to make sure there is no rubbing between it and the exhaust pipes....especially the right side...

I was under the impression that the DR/Addco sway bar is the same dia as OEM, just solid instead of hollow.

[Zack]

Very pleased you like them Tom!
My sway bar is no where near the exhaust pipes.
Hope you get the issue resolved-
Zack

[Big Joe P]

Addco swaybar is thicker than OEM.

[gonzo50]

My sway bar is no where near the exhaust pipes.
Hope you get the issue resolved-
Zack
I have atleast a couple of inches between them, no issues here.

Don't know why yours is rubbing,:confused: are your tail pipes in the original stock position, or did they shift some during your exhaust upgrade ? ie: manifold, cats, X-pipe....ect.

[Marauderman]

I have atleast a couple of inches between them, no issues here.

Don't know why yours is rubbing,:confused: are your tail pipes in the original stock position, or did they shift some during your exhaust upgrade ? ie: manifold, cats, X-pipe....ect.

To tell you the truth--( and why wouldn't it be--man that is a stupid slogan isn't it!--anyway) I am not sure--don't know but when the tranny came out and was changed out after getting back home in Dec.--there could have been a problem with the positioning of the pipes at that re-install --but really can't say--haven't had a "need" to check under the car back there since then until now-----so thats why I posted this news just in case others may be having the same problem from other situations --and to check---.....Tom

[Marauderman]

UPDATE THOUGHT!

My mechanic who put in my M/Z control arms Friday just called and posed this thought---

What if my pipes has been pushed back about an inch with the wreck back in March 0f '03??? That could have pushed the pipe-over axle right up to the larger sway bar when installed without noticing it...hummmm......

Good point--cause the tips where hit , but not damaged --but still hit--so...it could have been since that far back...hummm...well,, just the same...you still may want to check yours if any of this applies....Tom

[CRUZTAKER]

Well....mine was never wrecked, and I have the proximity issue as well.

[studio460]

But it could possibly be the clunk some of us hear when making right turns to pull into driveways.

I've always wondered what that "clunk" was when turning into driveways!!! Yup, my Addco swaybar shows wear as well. I can tell easily, since I painted it black. Going to install new exhaust anyway--will push the mufflers back an inch. Plus, the idiot that installed my first set of Flowmasters let the parking brake cable come in contact with the muffler, melting the plastic cable jacket!!!