I have the Hotchkis sways on my 03 sedan. For those of you with these, you already know that they do not have integrated collars to keep them in position. Somebody posted a solution to this which suggested some aftermarket aluminum collars to clamp around the bars and keep them in place.

I've had the bars and collars for a couple years now. About every 3 months, the collars start knocking against the bushing mounts when I go over uneven pavement. It makes a bagning and knocking racket until I jack it up, loosen the mounts, and reposition the bar and the collars. After that, it rides like a dream for another few months, then the cycle starts over.

I was just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this problem, or has resolved it in any way.

 

the new hotchkis sways have then built in now, problem solved for future buyers, not sure what to do about it other than buy new ones, selll your old ones.

 

I have the old Hotchkis w/ the McMaster collars. They have been in for about 3-4 months at least. I haven't experienced anything like you describe. I believe I have the collars on the outside of the bushings. I don't know if that's right or not. Do the collars move and you have to move them back?

 

^ outside of bushing? the OEM collars are inside, i think... hmm, and isn't the point of getting the collars so the sways don't move, if the collars moved wouldn't that be ineffective.

 

I've had mine in for nearly a year, and haven't heard any of that...

 

It took a couple days, but I figured out what the problem was. A month or so ago, I dropped the front swaybar to regrease the bushings. At that time, the bolt holding the bar to the left front endlink must have broken loose and over the next few weeks got some play. It was tight enough that I couldn't easily turn it with my fingers and it escaped my notice.

Anyway - today, desperate to find the source of the noise, I took everything apart and, when I got to the left front endlink (just about the last bolt I had to pull - figures) I found it was loose.

After I torqued everything down and buttoned everything up, she drives like a dream again.

Thanks very much for your input - sorry it was a red herring.

I've got my collars on the inside BTW.

 

Just got my sway bars put on with collar built in.. I guess th new version, the front has 4 diff settings(hotchkis). I had the shop installed the front ones cuz i had problems with it and everything is fine BUT.. not i am hearing this knocking noise every now and then like something is hitting something on the right front side. I have had this for about 3 days just started doing it now!! Anyone help me on this?


Just checked all the bolts they are all tight

At every bump or turn i hear knocking noises.. :S HELP!!

 

bump