Front Sway Bar Installed

vwrefugee · 03-01-2011, 09:18 PM

So finally got around to installing an M3 front sway onto my 2011. The install went smoothly, its not a difficult procedure. But when I went out for the test run I got clunking from the bar over bumps. Thinking something wasn't tight enough I went back and re-torqued everything, but no change. Then, in case something was too tight I loosened everything up, but that wasn't it. Then I took the bushings back out and re-lubed them, this time using a ton of lithium grease - still no good.

Upon closer inspection I found that the bar was making contact with part of the aluminum frame at each "shoulder" of the bar, just before it bends downward to meet up with the drop link on each side. It almost looks like a fitment issue with not enough clearance at that spot, but a lot of people have done this mod with no problems

. For now I've fixed it by attaching my original rubber bushings onto the sway bar at exactly the point of contact on each side, thereby creating a rubber buffer between the bar and the frame. It's quiet now and the improvement made by the upgraded sway is everything it has been made out to be. But I'd like to find a better solution to that banging.

ulrichd · 03-01-2011, 10:15 PM

Take a look at the pics with this DIY. Maybe something will look different on your install.
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217262

HP Autosport · 03-01-2011, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwrefugee

So finally got around to installing an M3 front sway onto my 2011. The install went smoothly, its not a difficult procedure. But when I went out for the test run I got clunking from the bar over bumps. Thinking something wasn't tight enough I went back and re-torqued everything, but no change. Then, in case something was too tight I loosened everything up, but that wasn't it. Then I took the bushings back out and re-lubed them, this time using a ton of lithium grease - still no good.

Upon closer inspection I found that the bar was making contact with part of the aluminum frame at each "shoulder" of the bar, just before it bends downward to meet up with the drop link on each side. It almost looks like a fitment issue with not enough clearance at that spot, but a lot of people have done this mod with no problems

. For now I've fixed it by attaching my original rubber bushings onto the sway bar at exactly the point of contact on each side, thereby creating a rubber buffer between the bar and the frame. It's quiet now and the improvement made by the upgraded sway is everything it has been made out to be. But I'd like to find a better solution to that banging.

Did you install the M3 bar upside down?

BMW86 · 03-01-2011, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Did you install the M3 bar upside down?

You beat me to it!

MarkR171 · 03-01-2011, 11:20 PM

I think HPA nailed it.

BimmerMeUp · 03-02-2011, 12:05 AM

I've got the Hotchkis 32mm bar, and my clunking problems have always been where the end link bars attach, usually on top at the strut, but also sometimes at the bar.

I really don't like the Hotchkis end links with the allen socket in the end of the bolt that otherwise spins. Those UUC end links look much better.

But in any case, I've found that it really doesn't take much un-tightened thread to get noise.

HP Autosport · 03-02-2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerMeUp

I've got the Hotchkis 32mm bar, and my clunking problems have always been where the end link bars attach, usually on top at the strut, but also sometimes at the bar.

I really don't like the Hotchkis end links with the allen socket in the end of the bolt that otherwise spins. Those UUC end links look much better.

But in any case, I've found that it really doesn't take much un-tightened thread to get noise.

We have these available if you are interested. OEM joints and will be very reliable and noise free.

MarkR171 · 03-02-2011, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

We have these available if you are interested. OEM joints and will be very reliable and noise free.

Price?

BrokenVert · 03-02-2011, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Did you install the M3 bar upside down?

That was my question

FDM68 · 03-02-2011, 07:16 AM

Where did you buy your sway for 2011. Been looking for mine and I can't find one for later than 2009.

HondaGoneRogue · 03-02-2011, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Did you install the M3 bar upside down?

+1

vwrefugee · 03-02-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Did you install the M3 bar upside down?

Yes, I'm an idiot.

The bar is on upside down. I wouldn't have thought it was even possible to put it on upside down so I didn't really think about that. I did have faith in getting some answers from the forum though. Thanks guys!

bozola · 03-03-2011, 08:46 AM

You're not alone.

escobar929 · 03-03-2011, 01:31 PM

haha it happens

adrean8j · 03-03-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwrefugee

Yes, I'm an idiot.

The bar is on upside down. I wouldn't have thought it was even possible to put it on upside down so I didn't really think about that. I did have faith in getting some answers from the forum though. Thanks guys!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bozola

You're not alone.

I looked at pics and DIY's 50times before I installed mine because I was afraid of doing that very thing!

vwrefugee · 03-03-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Where did you buy your sway for 2011. Been looking for mine and I can't find one for later than 2009.

It's just the current gen M3 oem bar. No difference between 2011 and earlier 1ers as far as suspension fitment. I got mine from HPA.

HP Autosport · 03-03-2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FDM68

Where did you buy your sway for 2011. Been looking for mine and I can't find one for later than 2009.

They are all the same, nothing has changed.

03-01-2011, 09:18 PM	#1
vwrefugee Private First Class 17 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 135i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Front Sway Bar Installed - WTF? So finally got around to installing an M3 front sway onto my 2011. The install went smoothly, its not a difficult procedure. But when I went out for the test run I got clunking from the bar over bumps. Thinking something wasn't tight enough I went back and re-torqued everything, but no change. Then, in case something was too tight I loosened everything up, but that wasn't it. Then I took the bushings back out and re-lubed them, this time using a ton of lithium grease - still no good. Upon closer inspection I found that the bar was making contact with part of the aluminum frame at each "shoulder" of the bar, just before it bends downward to meet up with the drop link on each side. It almost looks like a fitment issue with not enough clearance at that spot, but a lot of people have done this mod with no problems. For now I've fixed it by attaching my original rubber bushings onto the sway bar at exactly the point of contact on each side, thereby creating a rubber buffer between the bar and the frame. It's quiet now and the improvement made by the upgraded sway is everything it has been made out to be. But I'd like to find a better solution to that banging.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-01-2011, 10:15 PM	#2
ulrichd Colonel 211 Rep 2,233 Posts Drives: 128i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (6)	Take a look at the pics with this DIY. Maybe something will look different on your install. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217262
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-01-2011, 11:20 PM	#5
MarkR171 Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,552 Posts Drives: '19 M2C \| '20 100AE ND2 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phx, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [0.00]	I think HPA nailed it. __________________ 2019 M2C - Alpine White - 6MT 2023 Supra 6MT - Deposit and Wait
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-02-2011, 12:05 AM	#6
BimmerMeUp Private First Class 12 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	I've got the Hotchkis 32mm bar, and my clunking problems have always been where the end link bars attach, usually on top at the strut, but also sometimes at the bar. I really don't like the Hotchkis end links with the allen socket in the end of the bolt that otherwise spins. Those UUC end links look much better. But in any case, I've found that it really doesn't take much un-tightened thread to get noise. __________________ 2008 135i Sparkling Graphite Metallic - 6Sp - Black Boston Leather - Gray Poplar trim - Sport Package Premium Package - Comfort Access - iPod/USB - HD FM - Premium Hi-Fi - Heated Seats 5/27 Euro Delivery Welt - 6/5 Drop off AMS - Re-Delivery 8/8 - SOLD 8/2015
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-02-2011, 07:16 AM	#10
FDM68 Captain 35 Rep 761 Posts Drives: 11' 135i Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia (hearts still in Germany) iTrader: (0)	Where did you buy your sway for 2011. Been looking for mine and I can't find one for later than 2009.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-03-2011, 08:46 AM	#13
bozola Unloved BMW Addict 86 Rep 1,185 Posts Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: King County WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Z3 Coupe [10.00] 1998 318Ti [0.00] 1998 318Ti [10.00] 2008 128i [9.00]	You're not alone.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-03-2011, 01:31 PM	#14
escobar929 Brigadier General 154 Rep 4,528 Posts Drives: M2 CS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hollywood, FL iTrader: (14) Garage List 2020 M2 CS [10.00] 2020 M240i [0.00]	haha it happens
	Appreciate 0 Quote