Hey, I got the 350EVO front sway bar installed, and now it seems that when I slow down in the car, I hear a loud creaking noise. I didn't apply any grease to it, because I didn't think it was needed. Has anyone else had this happen?

Thanks

 

I have the 350EVO sways and I did apply the grease and have a sound like gym shoes make when you stop on a wood floor. Notice it mostly when cold and going over small speed bumps. Glad you brought this up as it reminds me to send an e-mail to "BJ". I discussed the problem with him about a month ago and he indicated he would send me new bushings and grease.

 

I had mine changed out at the dealership and have the same problem. I didn't notice it until I left an autocross/drift session and it sounded like an truck with a loaded flatbed rather than a sportscar.

 

yeah, it sounds like something thumping around when I stop now. Kind of worried about it, that something had come loose, but now I see that others are having problems with it too.

 

No problems at all, but I did apply the grease at the time of install. I have had mine on for quite some time now as well without any issues. Back when I had the first set of buschings they were extremely noisy, but that was quite a long time ago.

 

did yours make a clunking sound? Did you get grease with the sway bar, and did they send you new bushings?

 

this may not be the problem at all....but i have always seen people install sway bars with grease...

 

Have you checked out Prothane bushings? I've had them installed 5k and no issues. The bushings are ribbed on the inside surfaces and come w/ a non-lithium-based lube.
They have held up very well here in the AZ desert where dust and high temps are the norm.
You might also look @ aftermarket sway bar locking collars, since the Evo bars don't come w/ them or have them welded on like my Stillens.
Finally, Harvester is right-the noise may have nothing to do w/ the sways-it could be a rear axle/lube problem. There is a tsb on this subject. Do a search and see if it is really not a sway problem at all. Good luck.

 

well, it just started after I installed the front sway bar, so I am assuiming that is what it is. You mention the prothane bushings. Where can I get these?

 

Do a google search for Prothane. The Prothane website will direct you to a number of dealers who claim they stock ALL Prothane products. Don't believe them. Call first to insure in-stock availability. Installation of my Stillen sways was going to be delayed 2 weeks unless I opted for an "express" shipping from Prothane to the dealer, and then from the dealer to me. It cost about $20 extra shipping on a $60 product, and pissed me off. However, I really like these bushings (front &rear), and I guess all's well that ends....

 

Urethane requires maintenance, rubber does not. Urethane works as a bearing surface, and that surface need's attention to stay frictionless.

If you maintain the urethane well, it will last a good long time. Most people don't, though. Unless you have Zerk fittings, you have to pull the urethane apart to lube it. Without lube, it gets dry and dirty and wears. If it sqeaks at all, its wearing.

 

The 350EVO bushings currently used have the same ridges on the inside that the prothane bushings use. I have both bushing's on my car. IMO, if you already have the 350EVO bushings, it's pointless to get the prothane one's. Noise means you need to pull the bushings for a clean and relube.

 

did you guys that have the sways get any lube with yours? I didn't. Is there a certain kind I should use?

 

Gsedan35 is right. W/ urethane, noise equals need for lube;absence of lube equals wear.
My bushings came w/ several small tubes of a white, non-lithium lube. I'm sure there are plenty of quality products available. Even w/ the internal ridges on the evo & prothane bushings, tho, no lube is forever. Periodic cleaning & relube will be required w/ urethane.

 

We use the Prothane bushings with our sway bar kits.

 

Are they the same part's as the oem replacement's or are they sized to your bars? Kinda hard to understand given how much fatter your rear bar is over the oem bar.

 

Our sizes.
BJZ

 

Ok, so I lubed the bushings on the bar, and it is still creaking. Anyone else have it creak after greasing it? Is there something I am missing here?

Thanks

 

I don't have evo sways (I opted for Stillens) so this is just a guess. If the evo's don't come w/ a welded collar to minimize shifting, the noise you hear may be coming from the bar(s) as they slide laterally, unrestrained, through the bushings into areas of the bar(s) that would not have lube on them. Do you hear the noise only under hard cornering or is it there all of the time?
Maybe install a set of the aftermarket collars available for non-collared sways and see if it makes a difference. Again, just a guess.

 

yeah, I hear the noise mostly when I am slowing to a stop, and cornering. I have the collars on it. Do they go right up against the bushings, or should there be a little space there?