Pmach

iTrader: (2)

Before I get flamed I have searched for any threads in regards to this topic but can't seem to find anything on it (although I could have sworn I've read posts in regards to what I'm asking).

About 2 months after purchasing my 09 IS350 I installed the F-Sport lowering spring and sway bar set. All has been good (except the rear spring clunk noise) but recently, especially with the colder weather here, I've been noticing from what I believe is noise coming from the sway bar bushings. If you've ever heard worn out sway bar bushings they make a distinct clunking/deep rattle type noise over bumps/dips/etc. The bushings provided with the F-Sport sways were used for the install.

Doing some reading I have read that the bushing are NOT supposed to be lubricated before install and I don't believe mine were. Can anyone confirm if they should be or not? Anyone with the F-Sport sways experiencing something similar? Is it to be considered a normal condition?

intrinsic

iTrader: (2)

yeah, i know what you mean. i installed the rear sway myself and about a month later i started hearing the clicking noise. all i did to fix it was tighten the nuts which holds the bushings. once i did that it was all good again. haven't heard a noise since and its been more than 6 months. i think the sway and bushings just needed to settle a bit and needed to be retightened

Nellyhx

I heard those noises too after installing mine, brought it to a shop... and all they did was tighten up the nuts and it was good to go

jadeboy

iTrader: (1)

+1 took my IS 350 in complaining about the noise.. it was the bushing on the F-Sport sway bar.. Lexus said it was not cover under warranty.. but they grease it up anyway.. it seems better now.. but we'll see..

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

The instructions specifically say to not grease the bushings.

Lou

jadeboy

iTrader: (1)

Well.. from the quote.. "Tightened and Lubricated rear sway bar bushings"

jadeboy

iTrader: (1)

Well.. the squeaking has not been completely gone.. Lexus has tightened the rear bushings.. but now it could front that causing the noise.. beside tighting the bushings.. anyone else has a recommendation of what to do?

binhster

Brother in law had this problem badly on his front F-Sport GS350 sway bar. On the 3rd gen GS, the engineers dropped the ball and created oversized bushings that loosely held the bar even when fully tight which made the clunking noise over bumps really irritating.

What we did to solve the problem was puchase Energy Suspension Black Polyurethane bushings for the correct sway bar diameter. they're carbon infused and are not suppose to squeak, especially when greased which we did. This not only solved the problem, it also Increased the load response considering his old bushings fit loosely. The Energy bracket did have to bend slightly to conform as we wrenched it down, but if wasn't a big deal.

I have no experience with the IS Front F-Sport sway, but that's what we did in the GS.

I've used Energy Bushings on the front of my TL and also on my recently sold Mazda3 since the Mazdaspeed3 rubber bushings were worn.. So far I've been a happy customer.

Bigrahizzl

iTrader: (8)

having the sMe issue but not sure if its the sway bar or my coils

Alantjai

I had the same noise with the Fsport Front sway bar, after getting it lubricated, the noise went away for a few weeks, but was even worse by then. Finally bought the ISF front sway bar OEM bushings and problem solved

IS350HKS

iTrader: (4)

me too so now i am going to try tighting the bushings

armstronga

do you guys get this noise when reversing while turning the wheel? if so count me in as well

jadeboy

iTrader: (1)

I reinstalled the oem front sway bar.. no more squeaking.. I sprayed ATP Re-Seal, 8 oz. (AT205) on the front sway bar to soften the rubber.

But I a little concern about the 17mm bolts connected with the sway bar links, the ball joints turns together with the nut. Lexus installation pdf recommends using a hexagon (6mm) wrench to hold the stud. How can I torque the bolt to 62 ft-lbf with the hexgon on with a torque wrench? Anyone runs into this problem?