Just today, while replacing the front struts on my '97 Camry V6 (110 K miles), I found the source of my front end rattle. The left sway bar bracket bushing was completely worn. I ordered a replacement kit from MOOG and will definitely use anti-seize on the bushing prior to installation. This was serendipitous indeed, thanks Goss. BTW, I've been watching your segments on Motorweek since the early days on PBS back in the 80's. Back when you had a full beard sans the gray, haha.
My wife was drifting the rear end of the 95 accord LX like Tanner Faust in the rain and it didn't come with a rear sway bar (only the EX accords had them and they were thin bars). so I actually bought a bolt on one from ST suspensions. It's huge, 20.5mm. It does actually fit too. Everything clears. And it transforms the handling of the car. A lot more balanced now. Amazing how much difference they make. I wouldn't have bought it if the car had some sort of bar but it didn't come with anything. Once I put monro rear replacement struts on they were so tall it caused the rear to really want to roll. But this fixes it and then some.
On cars without rear sway bars adding one can significantly change the handling dynamics. Only thing to look out for is too big as too big may cause a very stiff ride. Pat
love your videos. As I was installing new springs on my dads 1990 benz(OEM ones were broken 'literally') I told the mechanic to install new sway bar bushings as well as replacing lots of rubber pieces in that area. and omg the difference is huge compared to my rear tires' springs and bushings which need inspection as they've prob never been replaced. I did notice that the mechanic put grease on some rubber pieces like the one that covers the top of each spring. Should I be worried? since in your video, you mentioned that an anti seize compound should be used instead on rubber parts.
Nicolas: Rubber absolutely hates grease and usually turns to something akin to black Jello over time. Of course you’re talking about heavy pieces of rubber so it might take a very long time and it may not affect it at all. But whenever possible do not apply grease or oil to rubber. The other thing is that it may not be rubber. Neoprene looks just like rubber, feels just like rubber and acts much like rubber but is impervious to grease and oil. Pat
It really seems like some of those longer end links wouldn't do a thing as far as helping the bar do it's job. If the end link is a floppy piece of spaghetti, wouldn't that negate any advantages of a decent sway bar?
It would if they were pushing on the ends of the bar but the dynamics are such that it pulls on the ends of the lifting side link. Consequently some are now made of reinforced plastic that handles the pulling force but next to no compression force. Pat
Just today, while replacing the front struts on my '97 Camry V6 (110 K miles), I found the source of my front end rattle. The left sway bar bracket bushing was completely worn. I ordered a replacement kit from MOOG and will definitely use anti-seize on the bushing prior to installation. This was serendipitous indeed, thanks Goss. BTW, I've been watching your segments on Motorweek since the early days on PBS back in the 80's. Back when you had a full beard sans the gray, haha.
We see a lot of issues with sway bar bushings and end links and way too many techs apparently don’t check them. Thanks for watching!
Pat
My wife was drifting the rear end of the 95 accord LX like Tanner Faust in the rain and it didn't come with a rear sway bar (only the EX accords had them and they were thin bars). so I actually bought a bolt on one from ST suspensions. It's huge, 20.5mm. It does actually fit too. Everything clears. And it transforms the handling of the car. A lot more balanced now. Amazing how much difference they make. I wouldn't have bought it if the car had some sort of bar but it didn't come with anything. Once I put monro rear replacement struts on they were so tall it caused the rear to really want to roll. But this fixes it and then some.
On cars without rear sway bars adding one can significantly change the handling dynamics. Only thing to look out for is too big as too big may cause a very stiff ride.
Pat
love your videos. As I was installing new springs on my dads 1990 benz(OEM ones were broken 'literally') I told the mechanic to install new sway bar bushings as well as replacing lots of rubber pieces in that area. and omg the difference is huge compared to my rear tires' springs and bushings which need inspection as they've prob never been replaced.
I did notice that the mechanic put grease on some rubber pieces like the one that covers the top of each spring. Should I be worried? since in your video, you mentioned that an anti seize compound should be used instead on rubber parts.
Nicolas:
Rubber absolutely hates grease and usually turns to something akin to black Jello over time. Of course you’re talking about heavy pieces of rubber so it might take a very long time and it may not affect it at all. But whenever possible do not apply grease or oil to rubber. The other thing is that it may not be rubber. Neoprene looks just like rubber, feels just like rubber and acts much like rubber but is impervious to grease and oil.
Pat
Excellent video.
It really seems like some of those longer end links wouldn't do a thing as far as helping the bar do it's job. If the end link is a floppy piece of spaghetti, wouldn't that negate any advantages of a decent sway bar?
It would if they were pushing on the ends of the bar but the dynamics are such that it pulls on the ends of the lifting side link. Consequently some are now made of reinforced
plastic that handles the pulling force but next to no compression force.
Pat