socalAllroad

I finally upgraded to the Hotchkis sway bars.

First and foremost - WOW. Amazing stability with comfort. My dealer installed the bars for me, but I'm having some problems (i'll go in and ask but want to provide some 'guidance').

The rears are fine. The fronts are 'clunking a bit', and squeak under slow (like in a parking lot) braking and acceleration. I looked under the front left (driver) wheel and saw that right where the bar connects, it has scrapes from being rubbed by someting (am I showing my car expertise yet?). When I initially asked over the phone, the dealer noted that the front sway bars fit a bit different than stock...is this right? The scrapes are almost vertical on the front side of the bar.

Could I have gotten the wrong bars? (a6 vs allroad?) or is this a common installation mistake?

Thanks for your input. I read this forum religiously, but rarely post (because I have no technical expertise).

I appreciate your time.

paulroad

If anything I had a rear problem.. installer error. But, the fronts are a perfect fit.

socalAllroad

Thanks, Paul. Probably installed them a bit off. I'll see what they come up with when I take it in.

03Indigo

if there is a squeak, they probably did not lube up the bushings, and the ends do mount differently on the front than the stock ones. the nut is housed in the end of the H bar, where there is a nut and bolt for the oem bar. The end of the oem bar is pinched flat, and the H bar is round, with the internal nut dead center on the end. there may have been scrapes while installing them, that is common, but there should be nothing scraping it once they are installed. It should move freely with the suspension and the uplink connection.

make sure they have it all tight and that they put the bushing plates on under the new bushings in the middle of the bar, the new bushings need a flat surface, where the OEM ones are curved and the sub frame there allows for a curved bushing...that too can cause some squeaking.

hope that helps
cheers
jon

socalAllroad

Awesome info...Thank you.

03Indigo

8^)

Rally_nutcase_1982

...and it should be maintained like any other part on the car, if it starts squeaking then usually some lube or axle grease is missing; worst case would be worn out bushings but unlikely with a new H-bar.

A second, helping hand is advisable to get the front Bar in. As Indigo described, it can be though sometimes to get it right the first time.
Good Luck, and anjoy the "new" ride.

All Italian

suspension was in level 1.