Revolver

Just a heads up for those who have fitted these.

Some of the old timers might remember that the earlier examples had some movement problems. This was supposedly cured by a different clamp fitting.

Well, I have the upgraded clamp fitting and thought I was golden but recently I thought I could hear something a little strange over sharper ruts and bumps. Like a knocking sound, as if something was hitting something else.

Worried that something may have become loose, I had it checked by the service guys at Brookie yesterday (together with doing other stuff like replacing brake pads, wiper blades and the recent recall work). They reported that everything was securely fixed (incl my MazdaSpeed shocks and springs) but that the rear sway had travelled to the right and there was evidence of some contact wear on the suspension component it was abutting (not sure what that is).

They re-centred the rear sway and checked the front bar. Now, I'm not sure what caused this. It may well be that the rear sway got fiddled with when my local suspension guys installed the rear MS shocks and springs, so I'm reluctant to suggest there is any inherent problem with the clamp fitting itself.

However, get yours looked at next time it's in for service and report here if there's any problem so we can learn from each other's experience.

I didn't get a chance to talk to the guy who did the work yesterday. Will attempt to do that on Monday and will report anything further.

Cromax

The only thing I can say is take it back on Monday. He's probably put something back wrong or something.

takahashi

It may be not the sway clamp being loose, but the bushing does not hold the movement of the sway bar.

Check the bushings.

auzoom

No mine is a spring/strut issue.

I dont have my car here so cant check and cant picture it but it sounds like the sway bar is possibly hitting the lower control arm (sound right Revolver)?

Not really relevant but I recall from the install of my coilovers that on the rear you have to detatch the lower control arms to get the coilover in and to get the control arm out the way you have to move the sway bar (I THINK).

Cromax

I have a feeling that the polyurethane bushes they provide are too hard. I have whiteline sways on my MX6 and after about 2 years of use the swaybar makes a tapping noise caused by the bolts on the mounts threading.

DrewMan

time to get some agency power endlinks!

Revolver

Okay, didn't have the printout with me when I made my first post.

They have said:

"...did find both front and rear sway bars shifted towards the right, sway bar almost touching rear subframe mounting bolts, possibly contacting at this point..."

I'm going to take it to my suspension place next week and get them to look at it. Hopefully they can give some advice about preventing it occurring again.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

RXVIII

Some pics (pics say a 1000 words I hear or see) showing exactly where to locate would be good so I can check myself! Thanks Dave

Revolver

Will see what I can do...

auzoom

we want an update! we want an update!

Spin9k

I'm the original direct import (USA) customer of the WL sways for the 8. At that time, there we no stops whatsoever. Movement big time, crash, clang.

I've always held the opinion that, even after they started supplying stops, while argueably adequate, they certainly present the potential for allowing movement over time as they are so whimpy looking.

Therefore I never used them even after they sent them to me, rather I had already made some of my own, and my bars have been fixed in place, and haven't moved for nearly 3 yrs and through multiple HPDE use.

Here's the back stop, the fronts are about twice as wide. They are constructed of reinforced rubber hose, covered in aluminum sheet, held with stainless steel hose clamps (2 per in front).

RXP33D

Just go buy some properly engineered ones from japanparts.com :D

Spin9k

And why? Mine $5 - personally engineered; japanparts $? plus $50 shipping. Right...I'll get right on it

takahashi

It sounds like a good Australian success to me Come on, bring us some faith. Why work on other cars but not on the 8?

Revolver

Nothing further to report guys.

I'm yet to take it to a suspension place for further advice - no time lately.

However, I'm thinking of replacing the Whiteline bars with MS bars, which I think may be a better fit for the MS suspension I'm now running.