Noisy rear sway bar end links

I bought my rear sway bar December 2020 and installed it March 2021. It finally warmed up for awhile, so I had the windows down. I immediately noticed LOUD creaking sounds whenever I went over a bump or pulling into my driveway. I had my son jump up and down in the bed while I was underneath and narrowed the sound down to the sway bar. I thought it was the two big bushings on the axle, pulled them both off and regreased them but the noise was still there. Finally determined it was BOTH end link bushings making all the noise. I’ve pulled the sway bar off for now but has anyone else dealt with this?? It’s only been installed 1 phucking year!!! And of course the warranty is only 1 year. Any way to regrease or replace these bushings?

 

You should be able to put some silicone grease in them where the bolts pass through.

 

^^This...problem solved

 

Thanks! I will give that a try, hopefully in the next few days. Since the bushing is stationary, I thought I would need to somehow get grease on the outside of the bushings and the inside of the end link.

 

if you really want a 4ever solution use Krytox grease. No hydrocarbons bushing will last 4 ever. However Krytox $$$$$$.

 

Thanks. If I have to keep reapplying grease every year, I’ll look into that.

 

When I tore mine apart to install longer links, I pulled the bushings out, greased them up with Energy Suspension Lube then used a C clamp to push them into the new links. I don't hear a peep out of them.

 

Are the stock bushings rubber or poly? And how did you get them out?

 

I assume they're poly but they could've been hard rubber. I knocked the metal sleeve out first then pried each side out one at a time.

 

Phuck that sway bar. I tried lubing where the bolt goes through but the noise continued. Tried getting the bushing out but couldn’t. Pretty sad it only lasted 1 year. Phucking piece of shit is going to the dump next time I make a trip.

 

If you have a hitch, it comes with 2 extra washers in the kit. I’m curious if they should be installed in there with grease

 

My TRD anti sway bar came in from sparks, looked through the directions and it said to your their grease. Well mines didn’t come with any, answer sparks said Toyota stopped shipping their bars with grease. They said to have a shop install and grease them, phuck man I’m doing the install myself and u don’t provide me everything in the “kit”. Smh

 

I love my RSB on my 2014.
Had one on my 2005 as well..

 

Rear Sway bars are overrated. Only helps if you have heavy loads in the bed and driving like crazy. Also not good for bumpy roads or off-road ... good idea to ditch it.

I'm sure you can sell it.

 

Are you sure its your sway bar? Didn't a lot of the newer Tundras have that creaking sound from the leaf springs?

 

Are you talking about the washers that go on the upper part of the end link that attaches to the frame? I believe you only use those washers if you don’t have a hitch.

That’s messed up. I’d definitely not pay someone to install it, it’s not that hard.

I’d probably love it too if it lasted more than 1 year before sounding like it hadn’t been greased in a 1000 years.

You’re probably right but I have already spent the money on it. I may have been a little drunk the other day when I tried to get the bushings out. I’m going to give it one more try when I have time……and sober

I have a lot of noises I need to track down when time/weather permits. But the sway bar was definitely the loudest noise maker.

 

correct. I wonder if they could he added where the bushing meets the swaybar and possibly help?

 

Gotcha, I see what you’re saying. I’ll give that a try also when I get around to messing with it. Thanks

 

Thanks for this thread. I've had my RSB installed for years and the creaking sound was finally enough for me to break down and lube it up. I used the Energy Suspension Formula 5 grease that was suggested. I applied it liberally to the bushings as well as the end link inner sleeves. The truck is super stealth mode now without all of that noise. Mahalo.

 

I used termaline grease on all bushings, no creaks at all, waterproof and very good lubricant