Front End Suspension Noise after installing Sway Bars

[driv3n]

I recently installed H&R front and rear sway bars and since then I've noticed I've been getting some clunking from the front end at low speeds when turning the wheel (e.g. u-turns, parking lots, etc.). I double checked everything now to make sure it was all tight and I even made sure the links were installed at ride height with load on the car before torquing all the bolts. Could the noise be because I didn't replace the OE links? Also, the car is lowered on H&R OE springs, but the noise was never there before even when it was initially lowered and had factory sways.

Anyone else encounter this issue after installing sways?

[jfo]

I seem to recall that the front could be installed in the reverse position or backwards. IIRC there were posts about this several years ago when a number of us were doing the Eurocode package.
Given what you noted about the torquing, etc, perhaps worth a look.

[driv3n]

Anyone know how to tell if it's been installed backwards? I looked up old threads, but the pictures don't seem to work anymore.

[jfo]

Look through the front of the wheel well to see the end of the bar as it attaches to the end link. The bar should curve up and over the tie rod and down to the end link.

[DannyFB8]

I've been having the same issues and went through various steps in still haven't found a solution to the problem. Before my suspension swap I didn't have any of those issues. A month ago I replaced my spring with HR OE springs with front and rear hotchkis sway bars and also added 034 front and rear end links. I even tried what Driv3n did and had re- torqued all bolts even with load, mad sure all end links were at the same height since their are adjustable, but the issue seems to persist. Quite irritating actually. I'm open to all suggestions .


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[driv3n]

I'm completely puzzled. I double checked the front and it's installed correctly over the tie rods. I even loosened everything again and torqued it all back with load once again while putting more grease on the bushings. Noise is still there and can't seem to solve it.

I wonder if it's because I reused the bolts, however I did use Blue Loctite on them to make sure they wouldn't come loose.

[DannyFB8]

I'm completely puzzled. I double checked the front and it's installed correctly over the tie rods. I even loosened everything again and torqued it all back with load once again while putting more grease on the bushings. Noise is still there and can't seem to solve it.

I wonder if it's because I reused the bolts, however I did use Blue Loctite on them to make sure they wouldn't come loose.

I got fed up with the noise and decided to go an Indy shop who mostly work on Audis and as mentioned by one of the OP, I found out my front sway bar was mounted incorrectly (backwards) and was actually causing the noise against the tie rod. In addition my top control arm bushing is out, which they informed that it was common to change that when swapping to stiffer sway bars. Like you, I never had any noise prior to lowering it and installing the bars so I would suggest looking in your control arm bushings.


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[driv3n]

I got fed up with the noise and decided to go an Indy shop who mostly work on Audis and as mentioned by one of the OP, I found out my front sway bar was mounted incorrectly (backwards) and was actually causing the noise against the tie rod. In addition my top control arm bushing is out, which they informed that it was common to change that when swapping to stiffer sway bars. Like you, I never had any noise prior to lowering it and installing the bars so I would suggest looking in your control arm bushings.


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I'll take a look at the control arm bushings. Would you have a picture of the ones you took off? Can the bushings also be changed without replacing the arms or is it one full assembly?

[DannyFB8]

I'll take a look at the control arm bushings. Would you have a picture of the ones you took off? Can the bushings also be changed without replacing the arms or is it one full assembly?

I do not have pictures but they were worn out due. The bushings can be replaced without replacing the arms, it's just unfortunately the whole assembly has to come down in order to replace just the bushings.


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