I replaced the dinky stock rear sway bar on my 2002 Protege LX with the 19mm "chrome moly" bar from SRMotorsports. I've taken it off and greased it twice but it still makes a ton of noise... seems like it gets worse every time I drive it... sounds like the whole rear end of the car is going to crack and break off... anybody else have this problem? Solutions? Thanks, -SW

 

creaking is more like it, I guess.

I'll check again to make sure everything is tight, but I think I got it last time.

Thanks,
swike

 

Are you using the stock bushings?

 

I'm not sure which bushings you mean...
The new bar had polyurethane bushings for the old clamps and new spacers, so I used them. I greased them with synthetic grease to reduce creaking noise, but it didn't help.
I kept the stock end links.

 

Cheap advice -

Use a floor jack to raise one corner at a time, or shake the car hard froom side to side, and listen for your creaking. Have someone else operate the jack or shake while you look. You should find it easily, just watch your head under the car while someone else is operating the floor jack.

 

Great idea... I'll give it a try. I've got ramps I can back onto, so all I need is someone to rock the car while I'm underneath it. (I'll put jack stands under it, too, so I don't have to worry about getting crushed.)