acarapella

Hello,

i have that typical clunk in the trunk. Easily replicated by grabbing the rear sway bar and sliding it side to side in its bushings. While changing them is obviously needed, I wonder if that’s the actual problem. There are these... crimped on metal stoppers on the bar that keeps it from sliding to far. They are in the inner sides of the bushings. They are each about 3/16 to 1/4 away from the busing. are they supposed to be snug against it, or should there be moment allowed there and it is in fact just the bushings that’s the problem?

thanks all

koreywill

I replaced the rear bushings about 3 months ago (2003 es300 315k mi) and the noise that you're describing went away in my car. Another way for you to check the bushings is to put a prybar under the sway bar near the bushings and try and move the sway bar. Mine had plenty of movement between the bushing and the sway bar so I figured that was the cause of the noise. Replaced the bushings and the sway bar end links for around $30 and it turned out great. Did the same on the front end but it was much tougher to get the bushings out. As cheap and easy as it is to do the rear I'd start there. Note: I wrapped the sway bar with teflon tape before I installed the new bushings. Some people use grease. In answer to your question, however, there is some room between the bushings and the metal stoppers. Good luck.

acarapella

Cool. I have Beck Arnly bushes coming. Links are good. The bar itself clunks easily as it slides side to side. Do what is the deal with those crimped on stoppers?

and ***315,000 miles*****?!?!? I hope and pray I get that. Side note: I had a 2014 Avalon Hybrid and it’s was a loan in my name that work paid. I did some reflecting and no longer wanted a payment. I knew I wanted a 1mz or 3mz car. A solara or Avalon or xlev6 camry or es300/330. I equally loved my 06 solara and 03 es300. An Es330 would have been perfect. This 02 is on great shape and has 105,000 with the timing belt done. $3200 and I spent $500 getting it ready for my 30,000 per year use. I love it. It doesn’t have heated seats but I was going to get a heated seats head unit and a wiring diagram and aftermarket heating elements and add them. NO CAR PAYMENT and I Love the car.

koreywill

Not really sure what the exact reason for the stoppers is but I suspect it's to prevent excessive left to right movement of the sway bar. Congrats on your ES300. i bought mine with 277k on it only because it had all the dealer repair paperwork. Paid $3900 for it 2 years ago and like you, I love it.

acarapella

Yes there is something to be said for records. Almost got a 2002 200,000 mile Avalon with the heated leather bench front seat instead but there was rust and that can make otherwise Simple repairs paramount.

In other news I did the flex/y pipe/cat today and I feel like I have a new car. That and the breaks. Basically my car was a professor who drove to 98,000 and sold it. Probably when she got the bill for breaks, exhaust ($4,000 at Lexus). A young guy bought it. Drove to 104,000 and got the same quotes and then sold it to me. I did the brakes and exhaust and fuel door. Feels like a new car. Was a lot of work. First big garage injury in 15 years of hard core wrenching: ran a 1/16th cut off wheel into my hand at 22,000 rpms. Only went into the muscle a little so taped it up and kept working. Don’t regret that yet (it was last eventing) but I may when I have a scar that looks like a toothpick

acarapella

Hey the Teflon tape you were talking about... do you mean the white stuff used when threading together pipes and such?

koreywill

Exactly right. I'd read about it in other posts and decided to give it a try. Theory is that it lasts longer than white grease which dries out after a while.