...and the OEM ones don't? Is there some reason the aftermarket bars can't be made the same way as the OEM bars? Am I missing something here?

 

I think it is due to the poly bushings vs the OEM rubber ones. The noises and constant greasing drove me batty on a bimmer and it was one of the reasons I switched them out for Dinan which uses rubber bushings.

 

the aftermarket uses stiffer bushing material. BUT I've seen a post where someone wrapped teflon tape around the bar to prevent squeeks for good. Don't know if it works though...

If you don't change the bushings, you'll loose some of the benefit of a stiffer bar.

Matt

 

because the OEM bars come with rubber fittings and aftermarket are some kind of hard plastic. The rubber usually doesnt squeak, plastic does. However, the rubber, over time, will rot.

Is there some reason the aftermarket bars can't be made the same way as the OEM bars?

Yes, they can. I think the DInan bars use rubber.

 

all within three minutes of the original question. Is that service, or what?

Matt

 

Yeah, I used teflon tape on all of them, may have helped a bit with the polymer ones but did not alleviate the issue for long.

 

Thanks folks!

 

Teflon tape, used in conjunction with liberal amounts of grease, kept my Bimmer's aftermarket sways squeak-free.

 

H&R sway bars do not use grease. I chose them because I wanted zero maintenance.

 

Yup, ditto on H&R's bushings... I've got 3 years on mine now, with ZERO noise...

 

There are materials than can be used which do not produce noise and still provide a stiff connection. For instance, our WMS Extreme bar will never need to be greased as it uses this type of material. What material is it? Well un-obtainium of coarse!

Matt witnessed the installation of the bar this past weekend.

-Brian

 

I've had a Mini Madness bar for about a year now, installed with teflon tape, and have had no squeaking. Prior to using the tape, I had to re-grease it every month or so.

 

FWIW, I've had my Rspeed on since December with nary a peep. Greased it with the green stuff they provided.
My Miata squeaked after a few years, greased it once and it's been silent for years now.

 

In the Mustang world (and lots of others) there was a graphite impregnated urothane that you could get....

Matt

 

Welp, didn't work for me on the E46 - would start making the groaning polymer noise after awhile (hard to describe but not just squeaking). Experienced mechanics gave it their best shot, and the Racing Dynamics sways/bushings were good quality. Perhaps it was a stiffer bar or maybe you keep your stereo up louder

The Mini, of course, is totally different so the design/stress on the bars may not have the same results.

 

I lubed the H-Sport rear bar when I installed it, and no squeeks or lube since then. My mustang has a tubular front bar with teflon sleves, no squeeks or groans either......

Resluts seem to be all over the place., When's someone gonna mount one up with ball bearings?

Matt