Suspension noises sway bar bushings?

[MBopp97GT]

I have the aftermarket Roush Stage 2 suspension on my 97 GT.
Having some noises that I'm sure wouldn't be acceptable to Roush OE standards.

I have a couple issues, a high pitched squeak when transitioning stabbing the brakes or gas, in a front to back motion.

For the squeaks, I'm told the front sway bar bushings are worn
Roush says that they may not be available anymore.
I've replaced the sway bar endlinks with some tougher polyurethane Energy Suspension pieces, no change.
Also, have a groaning or rubbing noise when going over
speed bumps (this has happened since installation)
I have Hotchkis Caster Camber plates and offset rack bushings.
but these noises existed before installing non-kit parts
I'm thinking Spring Isolators, so I bought Energy Suspension.

Anyone know the differences between my setup (includes older front sway bar and a rear sway bar) over the new with different front sway bar, no rear sway bar and revised control arms?

[SMOKE]

MBopp97GT-
Not a lot of help on the specifc differences between the former and current sway bar set-up.

Welcome aboard and hang around for a while BDR or ROUSHGUY can probably speak to the differences directly.

As for swapping bushings has the sound gone away?????

[ROUSH98]

Have the same damn noises man. They come and go as they please.

[19Roush97]

I put the S3 rear lower control arms on my 97 GT and ever since I get a rotational noise from the RR. I have been in my friend's 02 S3 with the same lowers and he doesn't have any noise at all. As for the sway bars, from 96-98, Roush used Cobra front and rear sway bars so the bushings should be the same. I called Roush to order a rear sway bar and they told me this info.

[Mustanger]

Why doesn't Roush support their products better? a '97 isn't very old!! These kind of wear items should ALWAYS be available. Don't we pay a premium already for Roush parts? I say shame on Roush if this situation is true!

[mln385]

Have you greased the lca's lately???

[MBopp97GT]

Well it was the front sway bar bushings making the creaking.
What really pisses me off was that it happened from day one.
The bushings seemed to be worn a little, but from DAY ONE???

I bought:

Energy Suspension 1 3/8" 4.5136 like $11.95 + S+H

Seem to hug bar a little better, they come with silicone grease.

Roush was like $25 + S+H or something for probably old shit.


Seems as though the prices have went WAY UP since I got my Stage 2 Suspension kit. It's listed as like $19xx online now

I paid like $11xx with out the SubFrame Connectors
I went with Kenny Brown cause I didn't want side exhaust.

It's a nice setup, but way overpriced with all the competition.

[19Roush97]

I tried greasing my lcas a couple of times but it doesn't help the noise. The noise is the worst in the morning when it is colder. When it is hot outside the noise is not as noticeable.

[MBopp97GT]

Only other noise I've noticed in my car is when you say turn into a driveway and you get a clunka clunka clunka noise.
I've been told that's the control arms moving in the torque boxes
Maybe some welding would strengthen up the area

doesn't seem to effect the car in anyway, not really sure

I'm wondering if regular grease eats the polyurethane bushings
where the silicone grease would be better to use with them

[19Roush97]

I get that to (the clunk) but only sometimes. I thought about strengthening my torque boxes but the only guys that I have seen do that are the fox bodies. I am under the impression that ours are stronger than theirs. I have loosened and retorqued my LCA's a couple of times and everything is good but there is still a noise. Roush told me it was normal.

I use Mobil 1 synthetic grease.

[MBopp97GT]

I've heard a lot of different things
in that the SN95 chassis is stronger and better, no doubt there
but it's still in basic form a Fox Chassis and suspension layout that's been around since 1979. I figure there's room to improve

[mln385]

Originally posted by 19Roush97
I tried greasing my lcas a couple of times but it doesn't help the noise. The noise is the worst in the morning when it is colder. When it is hot outside the noise is not as noticeable.

Did you get all four zerk fittings??Mine used to do the same in the cold until I greased them now it is gone.

[DevilSun]

My squeek that I believed was the LCAs was not. Greasing them really helped none. My squeeks could very well be coming from swaybar bushings or something of that nature, but now I'm noticing it is front and back. Doubt it could be wheel bearings needing repacked, because it usually on does the squeeking on bumpy / uneven surfaces. The car is after all 3 1/2 years old so I don't know. I'll see if I can't find something out this winter when I put it away for a while

[19Roush97]

You cannot repack the SN95 wheel bearings, they are sealed. If they are bad you replace them. I have greased mine twice so far and it didn't help the noise any time and yes I got all 4 fittings. I may regrease them next time I do an oil change.

Another problem I have is that my stainless steel brake line on my PBR Roush brakes on the right front is rubbing when I turn like in the parking lot. I can tell because the rubber cover is worn through in one spot and it makes noise. The brake line will only go on one way though. Anyone else had this?

[mln385]

Yes I just bent my line out of the way no problem.

[19Roush97]

The line is flexible braided stainless, how did you bend it out of the way? Mine will only go on one way.

[mln385]

The banjo fitting I just put my hand on it and moved it away from any obstruction.

[19Roush97]

I will have to take a look at it again but mine is rubbing near the middle of the hose.

[mln385]

That is where mine was too.Just move the banjo out of the way.

Marc

[doggiedoc]

I had similar noises coming from my S2 99 and my S3 01. I solved the problem by dropping the sway bar and adding vasoline to the bushing/bar contact areas. This worked great. No probems since.