Folks,

I installed the Hotchkis front and rear swaybars in February of 2008. After 1 year, the poly frame bushings in the front started squeaking/creaking over bumps. I took it apart and lubed everything again at that time, and now, 8 months later, it is doing the same thing. Has anyone come up with a good solution that doesn't involve taking the bar down twice a year?

Thanks!

 

I'm really not sure, but I do believe the front sway is what's currently making an awful squeaking on my car.

I think it's mainly from the current cold weather. We will see this spring.

 

chassis is flexing due to stiffer front bar and cold weather. might want to get the car up on the lift and see if there's anything unusual. I had the same problem w/ my EVO w/ ultra thick/stiff whiteline bars

 

Same problem here. Front sway bar creaks and thumps when I hit a bump or shift. Had it up on the lift and everything is tight. Worst when cold.

 

get better bushings?

 

Does it do it when it is warm cause I dont want to get the front and rear kit if it is just going to squeak you know LOL!!! Let me know if anyone has them in a warm state if it still squeaks.

 

Mine started squeaking just this season. I've had them on since the springs first came out. Sooo, roughly 2 years I've had them installed.

They've never squeaked until now. Maybe they just need greased or something.

 

I am going to get the sway bar kit that doesn't come with the springs and i am going with the df120's or tien s springs.

 

White lithium grease every 3-6 months or as needed

 

When you use Polyurethane bushings you must use Silicone based synthetic water proof grease... if your mechanic isn't instructed he'd most likely have used regular petroleum bushings which is a no no.

a good way to tell is the silicone based grease is a white milky color, very clean looking while the petroleum based grease looks black oil like, like elephant snot!

 

When I first installed mine (during the summer), I had a lot of squeaking. In fact, one of the bushings seemed problematic and was making a sound that sounded like my car was going to fall apart. My mechanic put a washer between the plate and the bushing and it seemed to fix the problem. Used the silicone grease that came with the kit and everything, but I'm not sure why it was acting up.

Anyways, almost a year later I haven't had any problems. No loud squeaking as far as I know.

 

Good post... some mechanics wouldn't know that specifically to these.
I've had mine greased about twice a year since I've had them. Had the same bars on my last tC for almost 50K on it...then 7K on my new tC. And I've yet to have mine squeak at all with proper maintenance (knock on wood lol)

 

The rear Hotchkis bar comes with grease fittings built in, but it still needs the white grease and not the stuff in a normal grease gun for sure.

I installed the front & rear kit at the same time about 4000 miles ago and no problems so far, but I will keep an ear on it.