Sway (Stabilizer) Bar play

[ProwlerGT]

I have removed the end links so the sway bar is completely disconnected from everything except its own mounts. Now, should I be able to MOVE the sway bar at all with my bare hands? Cause I can very easily turn the bar back and forth and I hear a tapping to metal sound when I do. So, should this thing be completely secure and unmovable in its place or is this condition normal?

If its not normal then is it as simple as the mounts being worn? Thanks.

[slage]

It should be able to move a little bit.

[ProwlerGT]

About an inch or 2?

[slage]

Yeah it's a rubber bushing so naturally it will flex a little bit and allow movement

[Joel_CA]

Originally Posted by ProwlerGT

I have removed the end links so the sway bar is completely disconnected from everything except its own mounts. Now, should I be able to MOVE the sway bar at all with my bare hands? Cause I can very easily turn the bar back and forth and I hear a tapping to metal sound when I do. So, should this thing be completely secure and unmovable in its place or is this condition normal?

If its not normal then is it as simple as the mounts being worn? Thanks.

If you're asking if you should be able to raise and lower the swaybar (rotate it within it's mount) then the answer is yes. If you can't or if there is resistance- lube the sway bar bushings so that the sway bar is free to rotate within it's mounts. This will reduce the likelihood of any squeek issues that might arise from dry/hardened sway bar bushing and that same time- allow the swaybar to do it's job without resistance.

J

[ProwlerGT]

Originally Posted by Joel_CA

If you're asking if you should be able to raise and lower the swaybar (rotate it within it's mount) then the answer is yes. If you can't or if there is resistance- lube the sway bar bushings so that the sway bar is free to rotate within it's mounts. This will reduce the likelihood of any squeek issues that might arise from dry/hardened sway bar bushing and that same time- allow the swaybar to do it's job without resistance.

J

Dude, you need to live near me. lol - Thanks for the answer I was looking for. It just seemed odd to me that it would be able to pivot like that in its seat, but that just shows my lack of knowledge with regards to all this stuff. Now I know.

How do you feel about white lithium grease being used for the bushings? Any downsides to it? I was going to use typical high temp high pressure multipurpose grease, but this white lithium stuff is in a spray can and easier to deal with.

[Joel_CA]

Originally Posted by ProwlerGT

Dude, you need to live near me. lol - Thanks for the answer I was looking for. It just seemed odd to me that it would be able to pivot like that in its seat, but that just shows my lack of knowledge with regards to all this stuff. Now I know.

How do you feel about white lithium grease being used for the bushings? Any downsides to it? I was going to use typical high temp high pressure multipurpose grease, but this white lithium stuff is in a spray can and easier to deal with.

I'm not sure about white lithium and rubber- perhaps the label will indicate if its a good match. I prefer to use silicone spray as it works well with rubber products. If you live near a Napa Auto Parts, their "syl-glide" silicone gel works great on rubber items. If they have it in an aerosol can, that would be great.

J

[ProwlerGT]

After looking up a lot of web pages I found at least one that says that white lithium grease that contains petroleum (which most white lithium greases do) will eventually cause the rubber to swell which will obviously least to bad stuff for suspension. I'm looking for a good "spray" grease with the red straw alternative that will compliment rubber and metal both. I'll post when I find.