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clunk in rear....from swaybar?

9

98TredSVT

Veteran CEG'er
Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
540
Location
Plainfield, IL
When I make quick left and turns, there is a clunk from the right rear, and less often it does the same thing for the left side rear on right turns. I have Stazi's upgraded end links which are adjustable. When I put them on I didn't think of this but the holes are probably supposed to be aligned evenly (holes in endlink and hole on swaybar for bolt to go through). I tightened down the endlinks too much so that the bolt is not evenly horizontal through both holes. Would this cause the clunking?
 
98TredSVT said:
When I make quick left and turns, there is a clunk from the right rear, and less often it does the same thing for the left side rear on right turns. I have Stazi's upgraded end links which are adjustable. When I put them on I didn't think of this but the holes are probably supposed to be aligned evenly (holes in endlink and hole on swaybar for bolt to go through). I tightened down the endlinks too much so that the bolt is not evenly horizontal through both holes. Would this cause the clunking?
Click to expand...

Are you getting any clunking when driving over uneven surfaces at low speeds? That's one of the times when sway bar end links will make all kinds of noise if they're loose or shot. An unpaved driveway, for example, or a tired street. I'm less inclined to think that an overtightening would cause a clunk -- what kind of movement are you getting out of them by hand?

Also, how are your bar bushings? If those are shot, you'll hear some noise, and it could be exacerbated by lateral loading / cornering forces.
 
I didn't realize how much tighter I could get the end links. The bushing that goes underneath the rear control arm is squished so tight from tightening the bolt down, but the bushing on top is not compressed hardly at all, is this normal? I'm going to drive it and then come back in a few hours and report back how if it's any better/different with the endlinks tightened up a bit more.
 
98TredSVT said:
bushings and endlinks are brand new and pefectly tight, and when driving over a bump it will also clunk
Click to expand...

How about strut mounts? If everything's tight on the bottom, maybe you've got play at the top.
 
As I understand it, his EL's don't come with a spacer to align the EL's in a vertical orientation (they tilt inboard). This is not good.

Also, when the suspension is at normal ride height the sway bar lever arm s/b horizontal. Otherwise, you'll get the dreaded "clunk" once the bar moves up/down due to the fact that the sway bar is not in it's neutral position.
 
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