I have been getting a small pop from the rear suspension lately. I noticed movement in the sway bar so I did a quick check of the nuts and bolts that are affected by the install of the bar. Everything seemed fine. Though I did not drop the rear suspension down so I could get at the bushing bolts very well. This is the h-sport comp bar which I did have on my previous MCS. I'm sure nothing is wrong with the bar.

A few days later it was still happening so I grabbed the sway bar, where the end link connects and the bar moves about 1/2 side to side. I thought this was normal until a friend came by that we had previously installed the same bar on his MINI. His does not move around the end link connection. Actually, grabbing it with your hand and shaking, there is no movement at all.

I'm going to drop the rear suspension down this week so I can get at the bushings better to make sure something there is not loose. I don't see the main part of the bar moving. Just the part that is bent that connects to the end links. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look at that may save me a little time? I hate to drop the suspension and act like a whole new sway bar install but it seems that is what I may need to do to figure this one out. :impatient

 

I had a rattle in my Alta swaybar's adjustable end links. I just tightened the little nut against the main shaft and it was all ok.

When you assembled it all in the first place, did you torque everything to spec?

 

some wander back and forth, and most are bent so that they don't. One model has a ridge that keeps the bar centered. If it's not the end-links (and it ususally is) and it's not that the bar mounts are loose, then look for interference between the part of the bar that goes back to the end link and some other suspension member. I'm surprised you can move the bar back and forth, as they are usually held real tight by the bushings!

A poor mans fix is to use hose clamps on the inside so that the bar stays centered. Check the bushings for wear every now and then.

Matt

 

The first production run of the Comp bar had incorrect scheduled bends that allowed excessive lateral movement. If yours was purchased in the summer of 03 then it is a possibility; only a handful made it to the public, I being one of them. Other than that the Comp bar can be moved a small amount although some twisting and pulling is required. If the bracket bolts are loose or missing that could cause movement. It is not necessary to drop the subframe to test.

 

I removed the drop links and the same amount of movement was present. I took advantage of this and removed and greased the bushings very well then re-attached. The bar seems to be a little tighter though the bent section still moves a little. Not the whole bar. This is with the end links disconnected. The H-sport does have a small bend where the bushings hold the bar from going side to side. The bar is only 11 months old so could the bushings be worn? I do see the plastic, or whatever material it is for the bushing move a little under the metal bracket when moving the sway bar.

 

How easy is it to shift the bar? If the bushing brackets are fully tightened, then you should not be able to easily shift the bar with your hands. The polyurethane bushings should still be okay after 11 months, provided that they were properly greased during the initial installation. Do you see any witness marks on the bar or any part of the car that would indicate the bar hitting something?