Hi motorers!

I have a MINI-Mania rear swaybar and it makes a weird noise. I've had this swaybar for 6 months now.

I was going to lube it earlier today, but didn't have the tools to clean between the bolt and the frame... I added a bit og grease a the outside of the bushing, but I know it will not help a lot, if any.

But it seems to still have some grease so I check further to see from where the noise was coming from...

It looks like the bushing hits the frame and it bent it... Rust proves it...

Here are 2 pics:





Would it be possible that the bushing is not the right one for my car? (2003 MCS, Sept 02 built)

Thanks for any help!

 

My sept 2002 has the same "issue" with the bushing bracket coming up against that part of the body. But, the subframe the bracket is mounted to does not move (if it does, it's only a few millimeters) so it doesn't actually cause any problems. Those brackets should stay where they are relative to the body, and the swaybar pivots inside the stationary bushing / bracket.

What kind of sound? Squeak? If so, you need to remove the metal bracket and get the grease inside the rubber bushing, between the bushing material and the swaybar. If it's a clunk sound, check the tightness of the swaybar endlinks (and everything else). And check the exhaust to see if it or any of the exhaust hangers are making contact with the heat shield around the exhaust. That was the source of my clunking sound - an exhaust hanger.

 

Thanks a lot!!

The sound is more like a "clunk" one than a "Squeak"...

I'll check every single bolt and the exhaust itself.

 

BTW,

The noise happens whenever I brake, turn a bit "sporty", or hit a bump...

Thanks for any inputs!

DarkMCS

 

You need to unbolt it from the subframe and put grease on the bottom/ flat part or the bushing. May as well grease the inside of the bushing while your're at it.

 

definitely sounds like the drop links

 

I was going to write the same thing; the easiest and most likely cause, endlinks.

during the install process, the bar, brakets and other tools may have scraped paint away from the body causing the rust you see.

 

I had the same noise after my alta sway bar was installed for about 2 months. They gave me a grease in the kit when I was installing the bar but the grease was very sticky and I thought it didn't provide alot of lubrication. I ended up pulling off the brackets, drilling and tapping for a zerk fitting that I can grease. I greased up the bar and rubbers before putting it back together. I am afraid that even with the zerk fittings, the grease will not get totally around the bar. But, all in all, the noise is no longer there so something helped it. If it reappears I will hit the zerk fitttings with gease and cross my fingers that I will not have to take it apart again. Good luck

 

Thanks!

I have adjustable drop links. Could it be that they are not adjusted correctly? Or I simply need to tighten the screws?

Thanks a lot

DarkMCS

 

Some drop links are very noisy. Teflon lined heim joints (part of the drop link) typically do not make noise...