034 Brand Rear Sway Bar "Clunking" noise....anyone else?

[db12]

Just had the 034 rear sway bar and 034 end links installed by local shop. The bar has a clunking noise when turning slowly or small bumbs etc at slow speeds. The shop stated it was normal for end links that have spherical bearings in them as they are metal vs rubber. 034 is stating that there should be no clunking noise etc. Anyone else have similar noises with your sway bar? Or know what the cause to be? Not sure who to believe here....

[yjypm]

I have 034 sway and 034 end links but there's no noise at all.

[db12]

I have 034 sway and 034 end links but there's no noise at all.

I did a search and sounds like it is a common problem with rear sway bars but appears it is due to loose endlink fittings or rubbing etc. Guess Ill see if the shop will fix it etc

[gottlobfrege]

Yes--I have exactly this issue. Let me say first of all that I've had a great experience working with 034. I live in the Bay Area, and they've installed their own products as well as other manufacturers' mods on my car, and I'm really happy with their work and the people there. I had the 034 sway bar, front and rear end links, and x-brace installed at the same time. Noticeable handling improvement, especially when driving on windy mountain roads, as others have observed as well. But, like you, I'm getting a "creaking" or "clunking" sound from the rear of the car at low speeds while turning or going over bumps. So it's not at all noticeable on the freeway, or during spirited driving on twisty roads, but it's definitely noticeable when driving around my residential neighborhood. Currently trying to trouble-shoot the issue: my hunch is that it's the end links, but I'd like to rule out any other possible causes as well. I'm also curious to know if others have had this experience and to hear recommendations. Again, I'm really pleased with 034's products and customer service; just need to address this noise.

[db12]

Yes--I have exactly this issue. Let me say first of all that I've had a great experience working with 034. I live in the Bay Area, and they've installed their own products as well as other manufacturers' mods on my car, and I'm really happy with their work and the people there. I had the 034 sway bar, front and rear end links, and x-brace installed at the same time. Noticeable handling improvement, especially when driving on windy mountain roads, as others have observed as well. But, like you, I'm getting a "creaking" or "clunking" sound from the rear of the car at low speeds while turning or going over bumps. So it's not at all noticeable on the freeway, or during spirited driving on twisty roads, but it's definitely noticeable when driving around my residential neighborhood. Currently trying to trouble-shoot the issue: my hunch is that it's the end links, but I'd like to rule out any other possible causes as well. I'm also curious to know if others have had this experience and to hear recommendations. Again, I'm really pleased with 034's products and customer service; just need to address this noise.

Glad to hear I'm not alone. A little concerned as I do track the car regularly so would hate to have something "brake" off at high speeds. I will be sending 034 some pics of the existing connections per their request to see if they can identify the issue. The shop I used specializes in this sort of thing so does hundreds of them. They seemed pretty confident that the 034 spherical "metal" bearings in the end links are the source of the issue and can not be avoided.

[mlavelle92]

I had this issue too on my B7

[4wheelpilot]

May not be helpful to you but, I have the 034 rear sway bar installed with the moog endlinks and no noise or clunking at all.

[db12]

May not be helpful to you but, I have the 034 rear sway bar installed with the moog endlinks and no noise or clunking at all.

It is helpful. So far we are 50/50 lol. Crawled under the car last night to take pictures for 034 customer service. Everything seems solid except the end links seem to be at a weird angle (which may be normal?).

[gottlobfrege]

May not be helpful to you but, I have the 034 rear sway bar installed with the moog endlinks and no noise or clunking at all.

Yes, thank you. As part of my trouble-shooting process, I was planning on switching the 034 end links back to stock to see if that resolved the issue. In your opinion, are the moog end links a significant improvement over OEM? (If so, I may try swapping out the 034 end links for moog.)

[luciddream71]

I'm having the same issue. Did anyone figure it out??

[whts4]

Do you know whether it is coming from the front or rear?

I've had numerous cars with solid (heim joint) endlinks and they can be troublesome. I had the exact same problem on my B8 with EC swaybars/endlinks. The issue was "slop" in the fit within the heim joint itself. My problem was in the rear, and after removing the endlink it was clear that one side had movement in one of the joint ends. Replaced it with stock endlinks and the problem went away.

In my opinion, since the rear endlinks are so short they probably don't have much flex, so using stock endlinks (or Moog with similar design) works well. The front links are quite a bit longer so the stock links "might" flex.

One other point is that Audi specs the torque on the stock links at very low torque settings (I think it was in the 30 -40 ft-lbs range). By design Heim joints can/should be much higher. The inner race of the joint "floats" within the housing therefore higher torque levels aren't transferred to the link as would happen with stock design.

Suggest trying a couple of things: 1) if you can assess which end of the car has the issue, tighten the endlink bolts to 45-50 ft-lbs. Note : bc the heim joint endlinks don't transfer the load to the suspension this can be done without being at ride height, allowing adjustment with the tires off. 2) once again determine whethe noise is front or rear and replace the endlinks with stock, see if the issue goes away. Note: stock endlinks require tightening under fully loaded suspension - use factory torque specs.

[uponone nogaro]

dam I just order some 034 front and rear end links

[Lbsigman]

034 rear bar with Moog links and it's silent for me.

[nickskeeta]

034 Sway and 034 Adjustable end links....over 1 year old and still silent

[skiptowncat]

My 034 rear end links failed after about a month, the replacements lasted about 12 months along with the fronts. I Will not be buying again!

[administerturbo]

Also have the rear sway and X brace. Stock endlinks and no noise.

[SDV325]

How many of you replaced the OEM hardware for the endlinks? I've read in the past that this can cause issues getting the endlinks to tighten completely of the hardware is re-used.

Just a thought

[lsaenz]

I have the same issue. 2017 S6 and after about 15,000 miles the end links is are clunking and the dealer said worn. Looks like I’ll be going back to stock

[034Motorsport]

I have the same issue. 2017 S6 and after about 15,000 miles the end links is are clunking and the dealer said worn. Looks like I’ll be going back to stock

Email [email protected] and we would be happy to assist you and warranty anything that has failed.

-Nick@034

[Corydms7]

Im on stock endlinks and everything is perfect. No noise.

[dimonblr]

034 bar with 034 endlinks - no noise here.

[lsaenz]

Email [email protected] and we would be happy to assist you and warranty anything that has failed.

-Nick@034

I reached to you guys and was told the clunking noise is normal for these links, the odd thing is that it was quiet my first year or so. Either way the answer I got is that there is nothing wrong. My reply back was that the noise issue that is normal should be disclosed up front is all.

[primaryw]

Just had the 034 rear sway and 034 end-links installed on my '12 A4 Avant. I'm definitely getting the suspension clunking. Do I need to replace the end-links, or is there something else I can do to get rid of that noise? We did not re-use stock hardware for installation.

[034Motorsport]

Just had the 034 rear sway and 034 end-links installed on my '12 A4 Avant. I'm definitely getting the suspension clunking. Do I need to replace the end-links, or is there something else I can do to get rid of that noise? We did not re-use stock hardware for installation.

We'd definitely recommend a nut and bolt check to ensure everything is properly torqued to spec, at final ride height.

Please shoot us an email at [email protected] and we'd be happy to assist!

-Sean@034

[primaryw]

We'd definitely recommend a nut and bolt check to ensure everything is properly torqued to spec, at final ride height.

Please shoot us an email at [email protected] and we'd be happy to assist!

-Sean@034

Sounds good. Email sent.

[Corydms7]

I’ve had my 034 sway bar on for over a year. Used my old stock endlinks and bolts. The upper bolts I used new ones, but reused the bottom. I’ve greased the bar probably 3-4 times.

- - - Updated - - -

Still as smooth as the day I bought it

[mahhdd]

I wanted a "one and done" solution so I went with Moog endlinks and 034 RSB. No noise, and totally worth it.

[bakedziti]

I wanted a "one and done" solution so I went with Moog endlinks and 034 RSB. No noise, and totally worth it.

Same here, but this time I opted for the 034 density line adjustable front and rear endlinks over the Moog as I did with my old A4; I was having a hard time finding the Moog from a reputable site at the time and had considered the Macan metal endlinks, but wanted some adjustability due to lowering the car.