Installed sway bars then a clanking noise

Handling, suspension, and brake tuning discussions
Post Reply
kblume18
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:50 am

Installed sway bars then a clanking noise

Post by kblume18 »

I just installed my Hotchkis sway bar kit a week ago Sat. Front took 4 hours, rear 20 minutes. The ride is great. After 5 days of driving and a few hard turns it developed a clanking or heavy rattle near the front driver side wheel. It's happens more at slower speeds and rough roads. When driving into a curve the weight of the car begins leaning and the sound stops, as soon as the weight is balanced again the sound returns. So I got back under the car and checked all the nuts and bolts. It wasn't fun but they were all snug. Front end all snug, rear got loose. Need to reapply thread lock and let it sit 24hr this time. So, I took it for a test drive and it still has the noise... Will get a better look tomorrow.
knowledge is power... and power is fun.
Shadow-Vibe
Posts: 360
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 10:15 pm

Re: Installed sway bars then a clanking noise (kblume18)

Post by Shadow-Vibe »

Yeah this is such a fun install.
northvibe
Posts: 7641
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:25 pm

Post by northvibe »

I have a hollow sounding clunk/clank after installing my hotchkis springs, and everything is snug... UHHHH noises! i hate them. if you find out what it is let us know
kblume18
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:50 am

Re: (northvibe)

Post by kblume18 »

OK... Saturday morning, let my brother-in-law take it for a spin to listen. We park and he reaches under and finds he sway blot loose on the drivers side, damn i suck. nice catch gman many thanks.so later we threw on the Hotchkis springs to complete the kit. compressing springs is tiring, but i'll still take it over installing a front sway. pic won't load.. will try from home PC later
knowledge is power... and power is fun.
SuperSpeedWagon
Posts: 680
Joined: Sat Apr 29, 2006 10:37 am
Location: Houston

Re: (kblume18)

Post by SuperSpeedWagon »

did you attach the file man theres no picture
2010 vibe gt
kblume18
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:50 am

Re: (SuperSpeedWagon)

Post by kblume18 »

sorry... pic won't load... will try again later from home
knowledge is power... and power is fun.
BlueCrush
Posts: 8272
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:47 am
Location: Twin Cities, MN

Re: (kblume18)

Post by BlueCrush »

Quote, originally posted by kblume18 »OK... Saturday morning, let my brother-in-law take it for a spin to listen. We park and he reaches under and finds he sway blot loose on the drivers side, damn i suck. nice catch gman many thanks.so later we threw on the Hotchkis springs to complete the kit. compressing springs is tiring, but i'll still take it over installing a front sway. pic won't load.. will try from home PC laterNice! Can't wait to see the pics. At first I didn't understand this: "he sway blot loose" - Then I realized it was: "the sway bolt loose"(Duh! for me )You mentioned compressing the springs is tiring? Did you compress them by hand or use a spring compressor?
My Fleet:
'15 Ford Fusion AWD Titanium 2.0 Tutbo
'14 Lincoln MXZ AWD 2.0 Turbo
'14 Nissan Pathfinder AWD SL
'05 Pontiac Vibe AWD
kblume18
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:50 am

Re: Installed sway bars then a clanking noise (kblume18)

Post by kblume18 »

pics... finallyhttp://69.113.210.150:8000/
knowledge is power... and power is fun.
kblume18
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:50 am

Re: (BlueCrush)

Post by kblume18 »

we did it by hand. Borrowed the tool from AutoZone on their loaner offer. FREE.
knowledge is power... and power is fun.
kblume18
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:50 am

Re: (northvibe)

Post by kblume18 »

When i initially dropped the rear springs the passenger side didn't sit right. when i drove it would thump over hard bumps. i don't like that the rears come loose while the car is jacked up. anyway we raised the car back up and realigned the spring and held it in place as we set it down. let me know if you figure it out
knowledge is power... and power is fun.
kblume18
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:50 am

Re: Installed sway bars then a clanking noise (Shadow-Vibe)

Post by kblume18 »

it was definitely worth it.
knowledge is power... and power is fun.
Post Reply