Weltmeister Swaybar Squeaking Normal?

[mclmk8d]

I am ready for the looney bin. My 87 Carrera came with Weltmeister adjustable swaybars and they SQUEAK, SQUEAK, SQUEAK(think two people in an old bed going at it) til I'm ready to pull out what's left of my hair. I read somewhere that this infernal noise is inherent in the Weltmeister bars and that their bushings are somewhat proprietary and other brands cannot be used.
I'd like to know if
1) the last part is true
2) if not, what can I use in place of their bushings that might resolve this.

I am ready to go back to an OEM swaybar in front, as my shop suggested (KMW in Boca, great shop and great staff), anything to stop the noise. KEVIN CHANGED THE SETTINGS AND GREASED IT UP: IT LASTED LESS THAN 3 WEEKS!

Suggestions from this wonderful crew are anxiously awaited

[Flieger]

Yes, they do that (or at least mine do).

No, the bushings are not proprietary. You can use any old polurethane or whatever you want in there. However, that will not stop the squeak.

To stop the squeak you need a system like the Taretts which use a bushing like the Rebel Racing front A-arm bushings and will be quiet.

[proffighter]

Mine do not squeak at all.

I cannot tell what the reason is, but I can tell how I mount the swaybar, so this maybe can help.

I think the key for quiet function is the grease. I use grease for construction equipment, which is best for little movements under heavy load (Volvo Ultra Grease Moly EP2) and correct mounting of the bar itself, means the bar should turn free without any binding due bad alignment. Check this with the lever disconnected. If there is binding, loose one side a little and move, until the bar turns free in every angle. Maybe you have to loose both sides. If it's not possible to get it move free, the drillings are way out of wanted position, then you have to increase the drilings until you get the correct alignment

BTW, this grease is very good for ER Polybronce bushings too

[porterdog]

In the Miata realm it's not uncommon for people to combat this by drilling and installing Zerk fittings for a grease gun. Refreshing the grease becomes part of normal maintenance.

[911pcars]

Are you sure there aren't other urethane bushings in the suspension - perhaps installed on the spring plate? Confirm by disconnecting one drop link, then test drive.

SB bushings shouldn't squeak unless the mounts aren't aligned sufficiently. As proffighter suggests, rotate the bar (w/o drop links) and see if it binds. However, instead of loosening the mount to reduce the friction, I suggest correcting any misalignment with appropriate spacers between the mount(s) and the bushing(s).

Sherwood

[Flieger]

Mine squeaks. If the anti-sway bar is only rotating and not being twisted it is worse. My mechanic when he installed the monoballs and Rebel Racing bushings (which are all quiet) also bored out the anti-sway bar bushings to prevent binding. They still squeak. Not nearly as bad as when there were urethane bushings everywhere but still there.

[proffighter]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Are you sure there aren't other urethane bushings in the suspension - perhaps installed on the spring plate? Confirm by disconnecting one drop link, then test drive.

SB bushings shouldn't squeak unless the mounts aren't aligned sufficiently. As proffighter suggests, rotate the bar (w/o drop links) and see if it binds. However, instead of loosening the mount to reduce the friction, I suggest correcting any misalignment with appropriate spacers between the mount(s) and the bushing(s).

Sherwood

There is a missunderstanding due my poor english. Of course I meant to loose, move until it rotates without binding and retight after