rear suspension noise

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by DannyB20, Apr 20, 2005.

  1. DannyB20

    DannyB20 Guest

    Hello, When ever I drive over a bump in the road....even the bump at
    the end of my drive way there is, sometimes, a loud popping noise
    comming from the rear end of the car. Sometimes it is the left side and
    sometimes the right side. I got a Saturn Chiltons's book and it looks
    like it must be the stabalizer (sway) bar and links. There is no
    mention on how to lubricate these or even if they can be.
    I looked under the car and one (i think) link is twisted about 45
    degrees. I tried to get it back into the same relation as the other
    side but it is fixed solid. Do these parts (stabalizer sway bar and
    links) just wear out and have to be replaced? If so any ideas on how
    much it would cost for each side?
    The car is a '97 SC2 with 50k miles on it.
    Thanks.....Dan.
     
    DannyB20, Apr 20, 2005
    #1
  2. DannyB20

    Lane Guest

    Yes, the joints on the end links freeze up over time and cause weird noises.
    I believe that each runs about $40 from a Saturn retailer's parts
    department.

    Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]
     
    Lane, Apr 20, 2005
    #2
  3. DannyB20

    Steve Guest

    Just had my rear sway bar links replaced last week due to the exact same
    noise. Parts ran about $120 (links+bushings X2, not done at the dealer but
    I got them at close to cost) and were non-stock locally, so it took 4 days
    to get them in. I also had the rear struts replaced since they had the
    backend ripped apart anyway; should have had them replace the fronts too.

     
    Steve, Apr 21, 2005
    #3
  4. DannyB20

    Max Guest

    Lane,

    Is this job hard to do? Do both or can I get away with just the
    noisy one? Any other tips?

    The reason I ask is that this is on my list, and surprisingly
    neither Chilton's, Haynes, nor even the factory manual have much
    to say about it. I assumed that was because it was easy and
    obvious, just two bolts--but then my dealer quoted me $288 to
    change the pair! This is an hour+ labor per side, so I'm
    wondering if there's more to it?

    Thanks,

    Max


     
    Max, Apr 21, 2005
    #4
  5. DannyB20

    Lane Guest

    Literally, it's a 10 minute job per side, and that includes removing the
    wheel. It's two nuts on each. Sometimes the nuts are difficult to remove,
    so some penetrant and a good set of tools (air tools if you have 'em) make
    it easier. Be careful not to bend the bracket which connects them to the
    strut body when you're removing that nut.

    You can replace just one, but if one is currently bad, the other is soon to
    follow. Might as well do both as long as you're at it.

    That price they quoted is stupid insane, even if it does include the parts
    themselves. With a price like that, I'd look for a different dealer.

    Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]
    ---
    Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www.evilplastic.com



     
    Lane, Apr 21, 2005
    #5
  6. DannyB20

    misterfact Guest

    The UNPROTECTED ball joints in those links are nothing but crap and
    freeze up in less than a year. I put big gobs of grease on mine and
    then tied plastic freezer bags over them with fine wire to protect them
    from dirt. They've lasted 3 yrs so far.
     
    misterfact, Apr 27, 2005
    #6
  7. DannyB20

    Dan Duncan Guest

    I must be doing something wrong. Mine are still original on my 1998 SW2
    with 118k miles.

    -DanD
     
    Dan Duncan, Apr 29, 2005
    #7
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