Could this be why I hear squeaking when going over bumps?

[Zealot06]

I've noticed a creaking and squeaking coming from the rear end when driving down my alley, which is very uneven. See the pictures below. Looks like my stabilizer bushings may have seen better days. When I change them, should I also do something about the rust on the bar itself?

Thanks for the advice!

[Z06phile]

How many miles? Be sure to check the bar for weak spots where it's rusty. The bar is hollow and can break in those spots due to rust. Have you checked the end links too?
If the bar isn't too thin, I would sand it smooth and repaint before installing new bushings.
A light coat of grease is good too.

[Zealot06]

64,000 miles. Have not as yet checked the end links. Great advice about the stabilizer bar. Should I go with factory bushings, or with poly-type bushings?

[XFordGuy]

The stock bushings are rubber and have a thin plastic braided weave to isolate the bar from the rubber bushing. The bar is just painted, so it wears off and has the potential to rust. I've never seen that much rust on one. That is impressive.

I'd remove the rear bar, sand and paint the rusted areas, and probably replace the bushings with OEM depending on how they clean up. Poly sway bar bushings require maintenance and provided no measurable performance improvement in my use case.

[YumaZ06]

Originally Posted by XFordGuy

I'd remove the rear bar, sand and paint the rusted areas, and probably replace the bushings with OEM depending on how they clean up. Poly sway bar bushings require maintenance and provided no measurable performance improvement in my use case.

What Jon said ^^^^

[Zealot06]

Great suggestions, all. Thanks very much.

When I search for replacement parts to fix my stabilizer bar and it's components, I have a choice of "w/sport" and "w/o sport". I presume that there was a sport option available for the Z06, or the Z06 IS the sport option. The "w/sport" parts cost twice as much as the "w/o sport" parts. Does anyone know which components I should get?

Thanks again!

[Z06phile]

The C5 Z06 has its own suspension called FE4.
There was an optional "Sport" suspension available for the non Z06 cars called FE3.
The FE4 and FE3 ('00-'04 only) shared the same rear sway bar though.
It's safe to assume the brackets and bushings are the same too, but you might want to double check.

[YumaZ06]

Originally Posted by Z06phile

It's safe to assume the brackets and bushings are the same too, but you might want to double check.

I was under the impression that the 2004 Z06 had upgraded shocks and bushings (the only major change from 03 to 04.) The last time I had wheel alignment done, it was set to FE4 specs (for Z06's).

[Z06phile]

I did some digging. '04s got stiffer front A arm bushings and softer rear sway bar bushings plus the Sachs shocks.
Softer rear sway bar bushings sounds like a cheap fix to get more rear grip.

[Zealot06]

Before I jump into changing the rear sway bar bushings and end links, do I need to be aware of any torsional loads that exist on the sway bar and end links with the rear end on jackstands? In other words, when I start loosening the bushing housings, will the sway bar twist or "spring out" as I remove the housings and bushings?

I haven't found anything on this forum or other internet sites that throws up a caution about this. I just don't want to get into a situation where I am unable to reassemble everything once I get it all apart, which would make me

[Z06phile]

As long as you do it with the suspension in its normal state (loaded with the weight of the car) there's no tension on the bars. I put mine on Rhino ramps.

[robert l pfeffe]

ZealotZ06,

You need to get all that rust off.

Prime & paint where the rust was.

When reassembling your bushings, first wrap the sway bar with a couple of
layers of plumbers, teflon tape where the bushing/sway meets.
Then torque to spec.

[zteve06]

I'll give you some great advice for squeaks,turn up the radio..."it's more than a feelin' "
Zteve06
Blk 02 z06
Austin,Tx