Sway Bar Rattle?

kyleb350 · 05-12-2009, 12:20 AM

Couldn't find anything in the search. Perhaps "rattle" was a bad word...

Anyway, just had some Hotchkis sways installed today. I didn't notice it right away, but now every time I go over a bump, I can hear the rear one rattle. My front one rattles too over bigger bumps, but not as pronounced as the rear. Sounds like metal on metal.

My guess is that these just need to be tightened?

ThorsHammer · 05-12-2009, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyleb350

Couldn't find anything in the search. Perhaps "rattle" was a bad word...

Anyway, just had some Hotchkis sways installed today. I didn't notice it right away, but now every time I go over a bump, I can hear the rear one rattle. My front one rattles too over bigger bumps, but not as pronounced as the rear. Sounds like metal on metal.

My guess is that these just need to be tightened?

Yep. I have Hotchkis and have the same problem.

Whoever did the install, have them add some blue thread lock on the strut-side of the endlink bolt.

Mr. 5 · 05-12-2009, 10:01 AM

hmm. It sounds like the bolts aren't tightened enough on the end links.
I can't see it "rattling" from the bushing area.

ThorsHammer · 05-12-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

hmm. It sounds like the bolts aren't tightened enough on the end links.

That's what I said!

Kevin@AKMotorwerk · 05-12-2009, 10:08 AM

we had a customer come in with those sways already installed and the bottom joint on the end link where it bolted to the control arm was rubbing against another bolt, take a look at that lower joint, the back side and see if there is any indication of metal to metal contact, other then that check to make sure the nuts are tight

Kamando · 05-13-2009, 12:39 PM

I also get the same rattle sound on my front M3 sway. The sound is definitely coming from the front and only noticeable when I drive over the cobble stone streets in my town. Over normal driving and even on bumps on regular roads I don't notice anything. Wondering if the front is loose or if its just to be expected on cobblestone.

ThorsHammer · 05-13-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamando

I also get the same rattle sound on my front M3 sway. The sound is definitely coming from the front and only noticeable when I drive over the cobble stone streets in my town. Over normal driving and even on bumps on regular roads I don't notice anything. Wondering if the front is loose or if its just to be expected on cobblestone.

Definitely check the bolt-tightness on the end links....strut-side.

Kamando · 05-13-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThorsHammer

Definitely check the bolt-tightness on the end links....strut-side.

Bolt tightness is good, bolt wont budge at all.

Gesler · 05-13-2009, 11:20 PM

I had to have my sway bar bushings replaced to get rid of the clunking sound i was getting when the car went over bumps.

gt3fever · 06-12-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gesler

I had to have my sway bar bushings replaced to get rid of the clunking sound i was getting when the car went over bumps.

what did you replace with to get rid of the clunking sound?

Im thinking to upgrade m3 front sway too..

jbass524 · 06-12-2009, 06:55 PM

Not Hotchkis but UUC bushings were not always mfrd to fit perfectly and would clunk. I assume the Hotchkis bars have a urethane bushings. Check these for tight and complete fit al the way around the clamp contact area. The Hotchkis end links, which have loosened up on me twice should be checked at the attachment and the adjustment nuts also. Someone here said check at the strut attachment. I agree.

Ghost170 · 06-12-2009, 08:51 PM

Maybe your bushing requires to be lubed, like UUC. And check to see if all the bolts are tight.

Gooby · 06-13-2009, 01:40 PM

I have the same problem but, upon install we forgot to lube up the bushings. We did use thread lock and the end links and whole steup is tight. So I need to go back and lube up the bushings. It's pretty annoying the sound, but on straight roads no prob..

05-12-2009, 12:20 AM	#1
kyleb350 Brigadier General 429 Rep 4,709 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (6)	Sway Bar Rattle? Couldn't find anything in the search. Perhaps "rattle" was a bad word... Anyway, just had some Hotchkis sways installed today. I didn't notice it right away, but now every time I go over a bump, I can hear the rear one rattle. My front one rattles too over bigger bumps, but not as pronounced as the rear. Sounds like metal on metal. My guess is that these just need to be tightened? Last edited by kyleb350; 05-12-2009 at 12:36 AM..
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05-12-2009, 10:01 AM	#3
Mr. 5 Modder Raider 800 Rep 8,633 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Surf City, HB iTrader: (31) Garage List 2007 e90 335i [8.00]	hmm. It sounds like the bolts aren't tightened enough on the end links. I can't see it "rattling" from the bushing area. __________________ e36 M3 Coupe, e36 325i Sedan e90 335i--SOLD Best 60-130-------------9.15 Seconds------------------WWW.MR5RACING.COM
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05-12-2009, 10:08 AM	#5
Kevin@AKMotorwerk General 290 Rep 28,154 Posts Drives: THE GUY YOU LOVE TO HATE Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: hillsborough, nj iTrader: (1)	we had a customer come in with those sways already installed and the bottom joint on the end link where it bolted to the control arm was rubbing against another bolt, take a look at that lower joint, the back side and see if there is any indication of metal to metal contact, other then that check to make sure the nuts are tight
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05-13-2009, 12:39 PM	#6
Kamando Captain 57 Rep 617 Posts Drives: - Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: - iTrader: (3)	I also get the same rattle sound on my front M3 sway. The sound is definitely coming from the front and only noticeable when I drive over the cobble stone streets in my town. Over normal driving and even on bumps on regular roads I don't notice anything. Wondering if the front is loose or if its just to be expected on cobblestone.
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05-13-2009, 11:20 PM	#9
Gesler First Lieutenant 136 Rep 356 Posts Drives: e90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I had to have my sway bar bushings replaced to get rid of the clunking sound i was getting when the car went over bumps. __________________
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06-12-2009, 06:55 PM	#11
jbass524 Major 107 Rep 1,053 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Norcal iTrader: (2)	Not Hotchkis but UUC bushings were not always mfrd to fit perfectly and would clunk. I assume the Hotchkis bars have a urethane bushings. Check these for tight and complete fit al the way around the clamp contact area. The Hotchkis end links, which have loosened up on me twice should be checked at the attachment and the adjustment nuts also. Someone here said check at the strut attachment. I agree.
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06-12-2009, 08:51 PM	#12
Ghost170 Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,355 Posts Drives: VIP Sport 335! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: N CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 BMW e92 335! [6.34]	Maybe your bushing requires to be lubed, like UUC. And check to see if all the bolts are tight. __________________ *07 E92 335!* AA AE GP HR LC M3 KW BMS BMW LUX CYBA STRI WORK HELIX MTECH LSWEEE(Wavetrac)!
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06-13-2009, 01:40 PM	#13
Gooby Mr. Euro 5 Rep 261 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bergen County, NJ iTrader: (1)	I have the same problem but, upon install we forgot to lube up the bushings. We did use thread lock and the end links and whole steup is tight. So I need to go back and lube up the bushings. It's pretty annoying the sound, but on straight roads no prob.. __________________ 2011 M3 ZCP
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