Sway Bar Bushings

[tomj76]

I've been hearing a clunk from the front end when turning, especially a turn that causes the car to lean to the outside of the turn. I isolated it to the sway bar, either the links, the bushings, or the bar itself.

I inspected everything and found that neither the links or the bushings looked bad, so I replaced the links (easier to get to), but no improvement.

Then I replaced the bushings, and found that the clunk had been cured. However, the bushings that I used (blue, DriveWorks DW-K200045) now squeak on just about every bump that I hit. I've read that this is because many of the aftermarket bushings are urethane rubber rather than vulcanized rubber. Buy beware...

[Blue Bowtie]

You could try applying some glycerine-based rubber lubricant (as it often used to mount/dismount tires) to see if that quiets them, but it may only be a temporary fix.

[tomj76]

Yes, I've read that too, but also that there are better bushings that don't squeak, so given the difficulty accessing the bushing (very tight space for the driverside!), and relatively low cost of new ones, I'm probably going to put in abetter product.

[Tech II]

I always used never seize in the bushings....

[tomj76]

I bought new ACDelco ones (online), but they are also blue urethane rubber! This is the dark underbelly of online shopping.

Well, time to try lubricant.

[tomj76]

Lubed them up (between the bushing and sway bar) with silicone grease... squeaking more than ever.