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View Full Version : Swapped suspension - stabilizer bar now rubbing :(



Protege2886
09-09-2008, 12:45 PM
Hey everybody,

I have a '99 Protege LX. I recently swapped all four stock struts and springs and replaced them with tokico blues and evotion (ractive/toucan product) springs.

Since I've swapped the suspension, I've heard nothing but scraping noises coming from my front end when I take slow sharp turns (pulling into driveways etc.)

I actually ended up snapping my front stabilizer bar right at the hole for the endlink - but that I think is more related to the excessive amount of heat the garage and I had to use to get the old endlink off.

I've replaced the front bar but their is still a scraping sound when I make those types of turns. I turned my wheels full lock to the right and peered into the wheel well and it looks as though the stablizer bar is rubbing up against the rubber boot on either the steering arm or the drive axle (it was kind of dark - I was using a BB as a light source)

My question is this - I've heard that you are supposed to replace your endlinks if you use MSP suspension parts as the OEM protege links are too short. Since these are Tokico struts - Should I be doing the same thing ? Do you think longer front endlinks will solve my problem ?

Any and all help would be GRRRRREEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTLLLLLLLLY appreciated.

Cheers

justanothermp5
09-09-2008, 12:47 PM
u sure its your suspension and not your tires?

Protege2886
09-09-2008, 12:52 PM
what do you mean ?

For clarification I have 14" rims - so I'm nowhere close to rubbing.

shane02pro5
09-09-2008, 12:59 PM
I would say first check the difference if there is one on the location of the tabs on the two different struts where the endlink attaches to see if they are in a different location. I know the rear swaybar is supposed to be parallel with the ground and imagine the front should be the same.

When a car is lowered using the stock endlinks this causes the swaybar to rotate up and cause clearance issues.

Protege2886
09-09-2008, 01:21 PM
I would say first check the difference if there is one on the location of the tabs on the two different struts where the endlink attaches to see if they are in a different location. I know the rear swaybar is supposed to be parallel with the ground and imagine the front should be the same.

When a car is lowered using the stock endlinks this causes the swaybar to rotate up and cause clearance issues.

Thanks - I'll definitely look into that.