mr72

As the title suggests, I have Steinjager sway bar disconnects up front and they rattle constantly. Is there any way to reduce the noise or is it just a "live with it" kind of thing?

Thx-

jordy

Upgrade your radio/system.

jordy

Seriously though, buy a few rolls of electrical tape and give them a few wraps when you're done running, then take it off the next time you need to use them, or turn up the radio.

TheDirtman

Are you hiems worn out?
If so they can be replaced.

chiapeteater

Why does this sound like it requires an unpleasant visit to the doctor?

jordy

I was thinking more on the other end with the disconnect sliders. Either the sliders themselves, or the ball connection. <----sounds like another unpleasant trip to the doctor.

mr72

Nope. Nearly brand new. Always made this noise. Like 2k miles on them.

Seems to be the disconnect end making noise.

I think there is some slack necessary to make it possible to move the collar to disconnect them. The return spring is no way stiff enough to prevent movement. If it was it would be impossible to disconnect them by hand.

mr72

I've considered cutting a piece of a road bike (bicycle) inner tube and making sort of a "boot" to fit over the spring collar that would at least dampen the noise somewhat. Also I think it's not a horrible idea to grease that ball joint, and that might actually reduce the rattle a little bit. Might try those things this weekend and see if I can reduce the rattling some.

Since I drive most of the time with the top down/off and during the fall (coming up) a lot of the time with the doors off, I really hear this noise.

jordy

I'd go with the inner tube idea first, as no matter what you do for grease you're going to end up with it everywhere and transfer it when you go to unlatch the disconnects. If you go that route, I'd go with a heavy gooey kind of grease, like the red Lucas, and just a dab.

Looking at that spring, is there any way that you could tweak it a little with a pair of needle nose pliers to "adjust" the rate and stiffen it up a bit?

mr72

Yeah, for sure. But that's a really rare occurrence for me. I didn't put the disconnects on because I needed disconnects routinely, but because I needed longer end links and it made the most sense to get disconnects at the same time. It's maybe 1-2x a year I'd disconnect them.

Might make the "boot" so it'll fit over the ball as well (hole in the side) that way maybe it'll help keep the grease on there.

Probably marine grade synthetic axle grease. I use it on everything.

No. As you know you can't affect spring rate without changing the turns of wire or diameter of the wire. Even if I did, to get it stiff enough to not rattle would mean it's too stiff to remove by hand. And I think it's likely Steinjager designed it with some "give" on purpose. I think the inner-tube-boot route might help by dampening the noise, not eliminating the movement. Movement is not a problem, just the clack-a-clack is annoying. I think rubber boots might mute it. I might also try some neoprene velcro boots like a cut up mountain bike chainstay protector to see if that works better to squash the noise.

(I have a ton of bike parts laying around...)