Rear Sway Bar Bushings

[SpookySalad]

There is a groaning from the rear end on rebounds and I think my rear sway bar bushings are about to bite the dust. Are they difficult to replace on this car, a 2000 Protege ES?

 

[mapa19]

if you have the 1.6 with the 16 mm sway bars, no. i got energy suspension units on my and it made a HUGE difference! a little bit stiffer and more controlled.
i ordered part number 9.5120R (or G at the end for black) and they even come with the brackets. there is some bending to do, as the new brackets are straight and at 90` while ours are more like 2 45` bends. let me know if you need pics and i can post them for you. or if the mods would like, i can write a how-to for everyone??

 

[SpookySalad]

I have a 1.8. Just for some more information, the groaning is completely independent of me driving it or not. If I get in or out of the car, I can hear it from the back. The thing is, the car rides fine. I can't see any damage or discrepancy to or with the springs/heigh. The struts seem fine. Not leaking at least as far as I can tell. It passes with flying colors a bounce test, FWIW. It just sounds like being on a pirate ship. My 1st gen was also like that too, but it had 290k on it, so I'll forgive it. This 3rd gen has only just rolled over 142k.

 

[MaxPower]

The most likely cause of the groaning is probably worn strut mounts (top hats). You can replace the swaybar bushings (they cost $25 and take 15 minutes to replace), but they are probably not the cause of the problem.

 

[Argie]

if you have the 1.6 with the 16 mm sway bars, no. i got energy suspension units on my and it made a HUGE difference! a little bit stiffer and more controlled.
i ordered part number 9.5120R (or G at the end for black) and they even come with the brackets. there is some bending to do, as the new brackets are straight and at 90` while ours are more like 2 45` bends. let me know if you need pics and i can post them for you. or if the mods would like, i can write a how-to for everyone??

It would be great if you could do a write on How To.

 

[MP5stephen]

It would be great if you could do a write on How To.

Has MAPA19 done a "how-to" for the rears? What is the best way I should go bending the brackets?

 

[tweety2300]

I doubt it's strut mounts my car did everything his is doing. But I cheaped out and just greased them as they were in good shape. If you do replace them I'd recommend getting a new end link as you will probly have to cut it off