Topic: Wierd Cabin noises after installing Hotchkis FRONT anti-sway bar.

I couldn't bring the subframe down myself (no lift) to get the subframe off. A shop here in Honolulu said they'd charge me $80 to install the front ASB. I figured money well spent.

During the install, they dropped the subframe too low, and the rod that connects the steering wheels to the rack or what ever came out, and lost steering control. They spent the next two hours getting the rod back in, and the splines lined up so that the vehicle tracks straight.

However, now when I drive the car, and get lots of extra road noise. I can hear gear whine when accelerating, and all kinds of stuff I didn't hear before. Its very subtle, but I know it wasn't there prior to this install.

Does the front anti-sway bar cause this extra noise? (added rigidity causes more noise transmission...)

or is it because the shop messed up something on their install?

ANY help is appreciated here. Please chime in all you mechanics!

cummon, someone must know something...

It is because they ____ed something up. There should not be any kind of "gear whine" noise due to the sways. Bring it back to them and insist that they fix the problem.

I'm not sure what shop you went to, but can I suggest WMR to you? Go and see Johnny, the owner, he's a good guy and will take care of you. I spend a lot of time in 808. My cousin lives out there and used them for his S2k, Civic, and Blazer. It's a really good shop. I wish they had something like it here in Mass. He hooks me up with parts all the way in Boston though. Good luck!

If the install shop did not remove the rack bolts and pulled down on the subframe it will pop the dust boot off that goes around the steering shaft that is at the firewall. It is actually pretty common to happen. Most shops think they can do shortcuts and don't see a problem with not disconnecting the rack.[/quote]

A little off topic.. But, I think it's pretty cool that someone from hotchkis would get on here and respond to this thread in a useful way.

If the install shop did not remove the rack bolts and pulled down on the subframe it will pop the dust boot off that goes around the steering shaft that is at the firewall. It is actually pretty common to happen. Most shops think they can do shortcuts and don't see a problem with not disconnecting the rack.[/quote]

Looks like that was the problem. Hotchkis is awesome. They would be even more awesome if they put those kind of warnings/instructions in their installation manual... ;)

Thanks for the help!

btw, the Hotckis springs has a nice even stance, and enhances grip. I didn't think that adding the Front Anti-Sway bar would have that much of an impact, but it is definately noticable. Great products. Please send me my free Hotchkis stickers so I can put it on my car and give you guys free endorsements. ;)

If the install shop did not remove the rack bolts and pulled down on the subframe it will pop the dust boot off that goes around the steering shaft that is at the firewall. It is actually pretty common to happen. Most shops think they can do shortcuts and don't see a problem with not disconnecting the rack.[/quote]

Beat me too it!!Good call!! I was about to post that when I saw the topic and scrolled down and saw you replied. Thats freaking awesome to see you online!! I was tired of being the only one online to help out with these botched swaybar installs.

What exactly does a sway bar do, dont know much about add-ons and stuff....

It counteracts the leaning that takes place when you go around a corner ,the bar is connected to each of the front suspension arms and the car tries to twist the bar as it corners :)

Makes sense, is it a sawy bar or anti-sway bar? Both? Excuse the ignorance here...

yeah, Anti Sway Bar is what they really are.. but people just call them sway bars, even though then it's a bit of an oxymoron, eh?

Thanks for clearing that up, so whats the difference in bars? One is more rigid than the other? I know racing suspension are more rigid right? A little bit harder of a ride?

Anti-sway bars don't really affect ride quality.

They help weight transfer of wheels, and overall cornering balance. Ride quality will be affected more by springs and struts/shocks.

so williecoyote did you fix the problem?

Plus there is a weight reduction to installing the Hotchkis. The stock front sway is pretty damn heavy.

This i9s my first new car, so I am anxious to put some time an dmoney into it (money i don't have) My other cars were not worth putting any money into.

Yeah, I think they fixed the problem.

Hey guys? Is it hard to locate the boot myself? Can I see if from the inside of the car, or do I need to get my car back on some stands?

If the install shop did not remove the rack bolts and pulled down on the subframe it will pop the dust boot off that goes around the steering shaft that is at the firewall. It is actually pretty common to happen. Most shops think they can do shortcuts and don't see a problem with not disconnecting the rack.[/quote]

Maybe you can answer my question about what size Energy Suspension or other brand endlinks I should use on my XB since I have the Hotchkis sways? I tried emailing before but was told you didn't make endlinks :roll:

I just want to get rid of all extra the sounds I hear from suspension :!:

I think adding poly-urethane bushings will cause more clunks and creaks than rubber.

either way it shouldnt clunk. but in actuality rubber will be more likely to clunk since it is soft and the bars could more easily bully it into hitting metal on metal. the urethane will produce a slight squeek if not greased and a lil bit more road feel will come out of it when the sway bar is being moved around . but urethane is the shiznit

Gabe is installing some TRD springs for me tommorow-I'm going to wait until they settle before I measure what size of endlinks I should install. After calling Energy Suspension they advised me to wait and measure the suspension once the springs settle and then purchase the correct size endlinks. Well another month of waiting won't kill me :roll:

Plus there is a weight reduction to installing the Hotchkis. The stock front sway is pretty damn heavy.

Odds are very good that there is more weight with the newer sway bar. The key to a better sway bar is one that flexes less. To prevent the flexing, either stronger metals are used, larger diameters, or if it was once hollow, it's now less hollow or not hollow at all, or a combination of the above.

Any way you look at it, your adding more mass, hence adding more weight, UNLESS it's some different materials that's lighter but also has better structural strength. I've been racing cars for a number years and have not heard of any other special materials where you can save weight on swaybars. If there was, it's very likely that that bar would cost about 50% more too, depending on the weight reduction.

Cheers,