Front Sway Bar Rubbing after ICON Install - Questions

[aweaver65]

Well, after a month of driving around, I finally figured out where the "Pirate Ship Creaking" sound is coming from... My front sway bar is rubbing on the bracket that goes from the radiator support back *See Pic

I had the ICON Suspension installed at 4Wheel Parts here in Tulsa and took it back after a few days because of the creaking sound. They kept it for an hour and told me "Just keep driving it, it will probably go away and if it doesn't bring it back"...

I figured something was rubbing where it shouldn't be or otherwise binding up, IT'S LOUD and you can feel it in the steering wheel. I know this is where the noise is coming from because a quick squirt of lube made it stop instantly.

So my questions are:

1. Have any of you had this issue?
2. Should the sway bar be in this position; i.e. is this an indication of something being out of alignment, or maybe a missing part that wasn't installed which would have corrected this?

As for 4Wheel Parts mechanics, I'm now convinced that whichever guy they had do the install doesn't take pride in his work, at all.

They did a Body Mount Chop, and while I was under there today lubing stuff to trace the squeak, I noticed the inside of the mount isn't fully painted and is already getting surface rust.

The brand new Billet UCA's have greasy hand finger prints on them and there is a small gouge in one of my front fender flares. So, would I recommend using them to install anything? Nope.

Anyway, If any of you have any feedback on this sway bar issue, I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[Pho thit cho]

My front sway bar looks similar to yours post lift. But I can't remeber if it was like that pre lift. I only get creaking when im reversing at full lock or going over speed bumps. (Only squeaks over speed bumps randomly) ive yet to determine where the squeeks are coming from. Annoying considering my suspension set up was about 3k +

Doesnt squeek that bad to the point I want to take it back to installer *

 

[daytonaviolet]

Does the icon lift have any parts which effect the angle or location of the sway bar ?

I know kings has a 1/2” bracket which the sway bar attaches to. This bracket is used to hold the strut reservoir. This will make the sway bar get closer to the radiator support and in some cases even hit the them.

But kings provides radiator support spacers to resolve this issue.

 

[kpinthebay]

There's supposed to be spacers/washers that drop the skidplate brackets so the sway clears.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[scratchhax]

looks like the swaybar relocate isn't installed. If you bought the kit, it's supposed to come with a bracket that moves the swaybar out of the way. It's optional if you have KDSS, but if you don't, you need it.

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Not sure what’s causing the rubbing but I can tell you that you wont miss the front sway if you take it off particularly if you have upgraded suspension.


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[aweaver65]

looks like the swaybar relocate isn't installed. If you bought the kit, it's supposed to come with a bracket that moves the swaybar out of the way. It's optional if you have KDSS, but if you don't, you need it.

Thank you. They actually did install them. I noticed them while I was under there chasing this down and realized they were new because they were spotless. That said, the ICON Description of these brackets states:

"Overview:

These black anodized, billet aluminum sway bar relocation blocks will move your sway bar 1" forward to avoid any contact with aftermarket coilovers. This small investment can save yourself a ton of headache when installing aftermarket coilovers."

I think that is the root of the problem right there. The Sway Bar is moved forward to allow for clearance of the coils, but now it's pushed into the Skid Plate Bracket.

In any case, I fixed it today by dropping the bracket that rubbed about 3/16" of an inch with some fender washers and now it is fine. While I had the skid plate off, I got a tap and chased the threads, got some good anti-sieze cleaned and painted everything that needed it (few rusty welds, etc.) and that did it.

Here are a few pics, in a couple, you can see the spot that rubbed and wore through the finish on the Sway Bar and also the Bracket. It seems like ICON needs to supply spacers to drop that driver's side bracket along with the Sway Bar Relocation kit. :

 

[Vinyl303]

Does the icon lift have any parts which effect the angle or location of the sway bar ?

I know kings has a 1/2” bracket which the sway bar attaches to. This bracket is used to hold the strut reservoir. This will make the sway bar get closer to the radiator support and in some cases even hit the them.

But kings provides radiator support spacers to resolve this issue.

Do you have pictures of the support spacers? I would like to buy king coilovers for my 4th gen and would be interested in seeing what the brackets look like for the 5th gens.

 

[scratchhax]

Interesting. I have a 19 without KDSS and a stage 3 tubular and didn't run into this issue. I wonder if there is a small difference between the 19 and 20?

 

[rayofsi]

Arb sway bar rub fix!!! Bp-51 fit kit

 

[ahtoxa11]

Interesting. I have a 19 without KDSS and a stage 3 tubular and didn't run into this issue. I wonder if there is a small difference between the 19 and 20?

I have a 19 with the same rub issue, though I have Kings.

 

[zonzin]

Installing Ride Tech sway bar bushing and Icon relocation block did the trick for me. Here's a thread for pics and writeup

Review, Ride Tech Delrin Bushings and Dirt King LCA's

Here's the block

Amazon.com: Icon Billet Aluminum Sway Bar Relocation Blocks Kit 611030: Automotive

 

[perf0rmance]

Arb sway bar rub fix!!! Bp-51 fit kit

^^^
Best solution.

Works with my Kings - I no longer use spacers to lower my skid plate too.

 

[aweaver65]

Does that kit really come with the modified Driver's side Bracket?

^^^
Best solution.

Works with my Kings - I no longer use spacers to lower my skid plate too.

I've tried looking that kit up and looking at the exploded parts diagram to see what it comes with, but I see that bracket in some cases but not others...

If it really comes with that bracket for $75, that's a steal! Can you let us know when/where you got the kit?

 

[rayofsi]

I've tried looking that kit up and looking at the exploded parts diagram to see what it comes with, but I see that bracket in some cases but not others...

If it really comes with that bracket for $75, that's a steal! Can you let us know when/where you got the kit?

kit is $115, but comes with the bracket. Can't even make your own bracket like that for $115.

 

[Xtremluck]

I will be selling my ARB bracket if anyone is interested since I pulled my swaybar. Send me a DM

 

[daytonaviolet]

Do you have pictures of the support spacers? I would like to buy king coilovers for my 4th gen and would be interested in seeing what the brackets look like for the 5th gens.