NC01TA

For those that still have their original rear sway bars and rubber bushings I'd just like to pass on some info if you have squeaking/rubbing type noises that you can easily hear at low speeds, especially going over bumps in the road. My mechanic located the irritating noises as coming from the rubber bushings. It seems like a relatively easy job for you 'do it yourselfers' and not expensive either (the AC/Delco were $25 for both).
Remove two bolts from each bracket holding the bushing and replace. You definitely need to have the car on a lift or high enough to work on as the new bushings require some strength to slip over the sway bar as it is tight (there is a slit in each bushing). My mechanic suggested no lube or grease should be used. My noises are now long gone.
** Many parts houses have the wrong size listed and the first two parts we ordered were for the front sway bar only. Make sure you specify rear when ordering so you don't have aggravation like we did.
Hope this helps someone out there, and just returning the favor for so many helpful things I have learned from this section over the years.

NC01TA

This is generally what they look like (you can see the slit in them for putting over the sway bar).

fst100

iTrader: (5)

curious why not use lube/grease as they generally help slip on easier?

STA

iTrader: (1)

I'm getting ready to replace the bushings soon as well due to the same noise issues. Assuming you have the 19mm rear sway, what is the AC Delco part number for the bushings? What are the part numbers to avoid?

Thanks

NC01TA

I asked that same question and he said that many lubricants will cause the rubber to prematurely break down.

NC01TA

I apologize but I don't have the part numbers. I didn't think to take the box home with me and I don't have it written down anywhere. I'll post again if my receipt says anything. I haven't paid yet so I need to get it from the shop. One of those 'stop by and pay me later' relationships. I may go this afternoon.

NC01TA

My receipt shows AC Delco 10224232.

FirstYrLS1Z

iTrader: (4)

The OEM ILE bushings had the same part number molded into them as my stock Z28 bushings had. Went to 'poly' bushings. Been using the Permatex anti-seize compound/lubricant,the silvery messy stuff. Eliminated all noises from the bushings,both OEM rubber and polys.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the post Dave. I've noticed a similar type of sound coming from the rear of my '98 in cool weather, especially when I pull in and out of a driveway or such. I assumed it was the rear lower control arm bushings, but perhaps it might be the rear sway bar bushings as well or instead. I just noticed it this year, so I haven't bothered to mess with it yet. This gives me another area to check.

BTW, non-1LE V8 models received a 19mm bar, and the 1LE cars received a 21mm rear bar. I have a set of 1LE bushings that I ordered from SLP about 15 years ago when they began offering the 1LE package which GM had dropped after '99. They don't have any part numbers stamped on them, but I'm not sure if they used GM as the supplier for this item.

STA

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, it's been a chore trying to find the part number. I found the bushing on ebay, did it include 2 bushings or just 1?

I might go with the greasable poly bushings as I heard the swaybars do not articulate like a control arm and thus poly is fine. Thanks for the Permatex suggestion, is it safe for rubber/poly?

NC01TA

STA, my AC/Delco box had two inside. I'm not sure they would sell just one.

NineZeroFive

Also the end links cause a lot of noise. If you're getting "creaking" sounds, especially going over speed bumps, this is likely your problem.

I went with Prothane end links and their bushings. Quiet as a mouse now.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

My son's 97 had that sound terribly over speed bumps, and my 00 is starting to get it now. Nice to know what it is and easy fix - thanks!

DANSBIRD

iTrader: (2)

I may have to try this. Thanks for the info.