MS3 Rear Sway Bar noise?

[Dragazn]

I recently installed the MS3 Rear sway bar with spacers on my mz3 hatch 07. Everything seems fine the handling is great but when I drive over an uneven surface, eg. driving over my drive way or entering/exiting a plaza, ramps. I hear a knocking sound and it happens EVERY time. I'm going to be taking it to the shop to get it checked out but just wondering if anyone knows what is causing it or if its a common problem. Thanks.

[S.F.W.]

I had something similar. Turns out the bolt that connects the drivers side of the sway bar to the end link, was very loose. You need to tighten the hex nut in there, and then the bolt as well. Pretty simple to check yourself.

[cwp_sedan]

+1

This is the typical issue with the sway bar clunk.

[Dragazn]

When you say its a typical issue, does that mean they didn't tighten it enough or does it get loose after some driving?

[cwp_sedan]

When you say its a typical issue, does that mean they didn't tighten it enough or does it get loose after some driving?

Could be a bit of "A" and/or a bit of "B". If it was always making that noise then they didn't tighten it enough. Driving on bumpy roads may cause the endlink(s) to come loose over time but it can be fixed quick and easy.

[Fezuki]

I'm having the same issue. I've gone under the car but I have no idea which bolt or bolts need to be tightened. I read your description up top and it sounds like it's really easy to locate but i'm still have trouble =p.

[cwp_sedan]

I'm having the same issue. I've gone under the car but I have no idea which bolt or bolts need to be tightened. I read your description up top and it sounds like it's really easy to locate but i'm still have trouble =p.

Here you go.

[Dragazn]

Does it make a difference if the car is lifted or not when tightening the bolt?

[cwp_sedan]

Does it make a difference if the car is lifted or not when tightening the bolt?

I installed my entire bar with the car on the ground. If you can get under there, I know you are pretty low, I would just try to snug it up with the car on the ground.

Does it make a different though...not sure.

[stormin84]

i lifted my car when i did the cobb rsb had major clunking... left the car on the ground and undid all of the bolt then retighten them. clunking is gone from the rsb...

[Dragazn]

so maybe lifting the car up to install it is what makes the bolts not tighten up all the way?

[S.F.W.]

so maybe lifting the car up to install it is what makes the bolts not tighten up all the way?

would make sense in a way.

[stormin84]

so maybe lifting the car up to install it is what makes the bolts not tighten up all the way?

don't know how to explain it but it worked...but it is a b*tch to get under the car and do work on it..

[Fezuki]

Thanks for the picture CWP. Now the problem is trying to fit under the car without lifiting it.

[cwp_sedan]

Thanks for the picture CWP. Now the problem is trying to fit under the car without lifiting it.

It's not too bad at stock height but you might need to jack up each side just enough to give you some space. That or drive up onto some 2x4s.

[S.F.W.]

I was able to get underneath and my car is dropped on pro kits. Though I do need to re tighten, as I didn't have the allen key the first time.

[Fezuki]

Finally found some time to fix this problem. I went under the car this morning and tightened the bolts as per the picture CWP attached. After I did that, did a test drive and the sound was still there.

Went under the car again and fiddled around with the exhaust and realized it wasn't just the sway bar making the noise. It was also my resonator hitting the metal sheet every time I hit a bump. I pushed the metal sheet back into its place and the sound is now gone.

No idea how the metal sheet managed to shift out of place.

Regardless, thank you gentlemen for your help!

[cwp_sedan]

Finally found some time to fix this problem. I went under the car this morning and tightened the bolts as per the picture CWP attached. After I did that, did a test drive and the sound was still there.

Went under the car again and fiddled around with the exhaust and realized it wasn't just the sway bar making the noise. It was also my resonator hitting the metal sheet every time I hit a bump. I pushed the metal sheet back into its place and the sound is now gone.

No idea how the metal sheet managed to shift out of place.

Regardless, thank you gentlemen for your help!

Glad you figured out your problem. At least now you know your end links are nice and tight.

[Dragazn]

brought it into the shop and they said that the spacers were sticking out of the sway bar too much and was causing the sway bar to rock back and forth. He's going to grind it down and that will allow the bar to sit flush with the screw.

[cwp_sedan]

brought it into the shop and they said that the spacers were sticking out of the sway bar too much and was causing the sway bar to rock back and forth. He's going to grind it down and that will allow the bar to sit flush with the screw.

That's odd. The spacers have all been the same size and this is the first occurrence of them being to wide.

[Dragazn]

not too sure but he shaved itdown andthe problem disappeared. Maybe this is why they come loose after a while.

[cwp_sedan]

not too sure but he shaved itdown andthe problem disappeared. Maybe this is why they come loose after a while.

Weird. The thing is even if you have a normal swaybar there is a chance that the endlinks could come lose. The spacers do help to reduce the chance of the clunk happening but it will not prevent it from happening.

Glad you figured it out though.

[jas_r34]

ive got the same problem on my 06. it sounds like theres a blown shock on the rear of the car but upon inspection turns out the sway bar link boot is ripped and the whoe thing needs to be replaced. I priced out the damn bushing and the thing cost $70+

[Soyabean]

Perfect timing to bring this thread back. Im about to install my rear RB sway bars and I was wondering for those who installed it with the car on the ground. Does this mean you installed it with all 4 tires on the ground or with the 2 rear jacked up on stands? I'm going to do mine on friday and can't decide which way is better or if it makes a difference

[stormin84]

^all four tires were on the ground for me, not a lot of room but i did it.
Make sure the nut is tight on the end links and then about a week later re-tighten them. if you start to hear a rattle they have loosen and you should re-tighten them.

had to re-tighten mine 3 times