I installed a 22.5mm MC bar into my '05 MCS this weekend. I followed the directions on Randy Webb's site:

http://store.webbmotorsports.com/for...wtopic.php?t=4
After tightening everything back up I took it out on the road for a test drive. Everything feels fine except for the cabin noise that I am getting right now. It sounds like the supercharger is in the front seat. I checked for any obvious exhaust leaks by laying under the car while someone reved the engine and found nothing.

The car is loud at idle, so I don't think that anything is rubbing and causing the sound. I am hoping the noise is unrelated due to some other problem, but that just doesn't make any sense. Is there anything that could occurr during a front swaybar install that would cause the noise inside the cabin to increase so dramatically? It is especially loud in the drivers seat. The excess sound seems to be penetrating the cabin from either the firewall or shifter areas.

 

If you had installed a firmer engine mount I would say that it was just vibration getting transmitted to the frame, but with sway bar I wouldn't think it would make that much noise.

The bar does mount to the frame (I'm assuming), but is it touching the engine or tranny somewhere so that the engine is no longer issolated on its mounts?

 

I'll check that tonight, but from the sound of the noise, I don't think that is it.

Any other ideas?

 

I know that after my front swaybar was installed I experienced the same increase in noise. It turned out to be the rubber boot around the steering column at the base of the floorboard.

I think that when you drop the front sub frame it pulls this boot out of its position. Just work it back into place and all should be well.


Hope this helps.

 

It wasn't just pulled out of position, there was a big enough of a gap that I could fit my hand through the space that is used to occupy.

I'll let everyone know if that fixes it after my ride home.

Thanks!

 

When you install a front sway bar, you have to pull the front sub frame down. When you do that, you normally do not disconnect the rack form the steering column. The added pressure moves the seal around the steering column down and out. All you need to do is go into the foot well and move the seal back into place. There are two seals that fit in there. One on the out side one on the inside. It take a bit of work to fit them back in, but it can be done. Or you can just push the seal down and it will be close. Give me a call if you need more details.

 

Thanks for the offer. I actually did undo and remove the 13mm bolt on the knuckle to the steering rack. I think as I dropped the subframe there was probably still enough friction in the knuckle to displace the rubber boot.

When I just looked at the seal a few minutes ago I did notice 2 distinct pieces. It looks like it will be easiest to pop the inner one into place first from inside the car and then to do the outside one from underneath the car.

I want to get the seal in perfectly since I run a supertrapp that terminates before the battery box during the summer. I can't imagine what it would sound like right now.

 

I had the exact same issue . That little boot does an amazing job keeping the sound out. I am sure you will find that to be your problem.

 

The boot was the problem. It was a real PITA to get the boot, rubber seal and white ring together and sealed properly last night.

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

Hi guys,

I'm having the same noise problem after the installation of the bar. I can see the two pieces of rubber as described but i'm not sure whats the correct position for the pieces.

From the footwell, would i be right if the thin piece of rubber is suppose to be on the opposite side of the firewall (as in the engine bay) and the bigger piece going thru the hole to match with the thinner piece?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Okie, no worries. Got my mechanic to do it. Now all is well! And after putting both the front and rear ARB and lowering with Eibachs at the same time, the handling is suuuuuperb!

 

My 06 S cov. Was making a noise under the gear section for the longest time and the dealer told me it was the motor mount. Well after they told me how much they charge to do just one I went home and did all three of them and install powerflex for less money then what the dealers want it. And yet the noise still there so went back and they said it was the wheel hubs. Ok so Again after they told me there price. I did that my self both for less of what they charge to do one. Wow and the noise still there. After I took a long time feeling every pArt and every nut ,screws. I place my hand on the sway bar to move for one side of the car to the other. I felt the that was lose and as I move it again it sound it like the noise I was looking for. So now just so you all know the I will get power flex for that too.
By the way I think every time you take the subframe screws out new ones need to be purchase. Could some buddy confirm that? Please