tiger4life

iTrader: (16)

Trying to get rid of metallic clunking noise, I think it's my rear links. Want to know how difficult it is to replace.

YviE

iTrader: (3)

It's not that hard. First you need to lift the car.

Under each suspension arm there is a plastic protection that you need to remove (2 bolts, 8 or 10, not sure).

Then you need to detach the end link from the sway bar. You need an Allen key to keep the ball joint from spinning and a 15 wrench to take of the bolt.

Then there is a lower bolt (10 or 12) to remove. Once you take that one out, you can remove the end link. Mine was quite stuck, I really had to pull hard on it to get it out.

Here's a pic of old vs new rear end link:

starfyrels

iTrader: (2)

^You can follow the same directions, but to get the end link out from the rear lower control arm you need to loosen the shock mounting bolt. If you dont you're just giving yourself a much harder time in removing the end link.

Remember to torque everything down 100% to the correct torque specs.

tiger4life

iTrader: (16)

I took a look at the right rear sway link (where the creaking is coming from) and it looked fine. I think the noise may be coming from the sway bar sliding in the new bushings I installed a few months ago. When I turned the steering wheel back and forth slowly this morning, I could here the rear suspension creaking as the car shifted. Maybe it was the fact that I got the silicone grease for home depot? Anyone else had/have a similar problem? I already replaced the oem struts with coilovers and that made some of the creaking go away (before that I could get it to creak by just pushing on the bumper).

YviE

iTrader: (3)

Did you replace the bushings with polyurethane bushings?

tiger4life

iTrader: (16)

according to rockauto they are rubber

YviE

iTrader: (3)

AFAIK rubber bushings shouldn't need greasing. I'm guessing the noise comes from elsewhere.

tiger4life

iTrader: (16)

^^^^^Do you think the links would cause the noise. I looked at them and they don't appear broken. But maybe the bushings are worn

YviE

iTrader: (3)

The only way for a rear end link to make noise would be (a lot of) play in the balljoint.

Has every part of your rear suspension been torqued down?

tiger4life

iTrader: (16)

You were right. I finally replaced the link today. I tried to do it without removing the wheel and loosening the bolt. It was hard but I got the old link out, but I could not get the new one in. I didn't want to loosen the shock bolt because I thought it was tight, but it was only 81 ft-lbs. Loosened the bolt and the new link went right end. I guess when you tigthen it, the top of the control arm closes a little.

Anyway, I am happy to say that the noise is gone now. Either something was loose, or it was the lend link. I am so glad it's not the control arm bushing!

sakataj

iTrader: (182)

its a 14mm wrench NOT a 15mm BTW, I just installed my TRD rear swaybar yesterday so i def know its a 14mm

i dont have my OEM ones anymore but with the figs ones you can just slide the link in and put the bolt in then lightly with a screwdriver (through one of the holes in the figs mega arms) give it a little pressure upwards and it fits in really easily...course my car was on a rack so this was fairly easy to do.

i wonder if FIGS or anyone makes a better end link for the rear....

jeff was making some for the fronts awhile ago

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...t-a-piece.html

but i already have FIGS ones for the front. my rears could stand to be replaced but i dunno if anyone makes more durable one for the rear

tiger4life

iTrader: (16)

Now I'm sad, the creak is back! I'll have to check to see if something loosened. That's the only thing I can think happened. If it was the bushing in the spindle, it should have made noise right away?