Installed my Hotchkis sway bars two weeks ago and have been hearing a new single "clunk" on the front passenger side when I have a moderate bump (e.g. speedbump). The attached photo below shows some wearing on the paint that appears to come from the endlink. This isn't happening on the driver's side.

Should I be concerned? Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Thanks,

Joe

edit: I'm positive I torqued everything to spec and everything seems tight... could the paint scuffs have nothing to do with the "clunk"?

 

Do they have collars? How did your car get so dirty?

 

Yes... they have collars.

I've used the car for two winters (salt & sand). It's going to be a summer car from now on... just have to get around to taking the grime off.

 

Darn salt & sand, I used to live in NY, it's nasty stuff huh?

What about those stock washers on the bolts which attach the end links to the sway bar that have a tab to prevent them from pivoting, it doesn't look like those are on.

Probably the best thing to do is just check everything that you touched to install them, could just be some loose lug nuts. Hope that helps.

Gary

 

Thx Gary.

I'll drop the skirt tonight and give it a once over again.

Hotchkis instructs you to bend the alignment tabs on the washers up to allow the installation of their bar. Could be that the washer is rotating and the tab is scratching the paint.

 

Solved... I think...

The alignment tab on the endlink washer seemed to be hanging up on the swaybar, so I bent it further and tightened up the nut. So far, so good...

 

 

pics please ?

 

This pic is borrowed from the install pdf on the Hotchkis website. I don't want to have to get all dirty again! :P

 

Thank you. I assume the pic already shows the way the tab is bent.

Do you have any creaks or groans on the bumps?

 

yup... that's with the tab bent out of the way.

No creaks or groans... as quiet as stock.

 

I have the stillen sways on my car (G35) and didn't bend those tabs, my question is why would you have tyo bend those out of the way?
(I am currently have the same noise issue)

 

My guess is that the tab is hanging up on the sway bar, affecting the range of travel on the hits.

 

funny, i've been experiencing the exact thing and just noticed that the nut came off of the end link.