Squeaky OME Torsion Bars

[efil4ynot]

Ever since purchasing our 100 last spring from a fellow mud member the OME torsion bars squeak/creak/groan quite loudly over any substantial bumps and dips. Has anyone else had this issue? If so, did you find a solution? I've tried a couple of different lubricating sprays that seem to maybe help some for a short time but definitely not much.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Evan Kapel]

Are you sure it is the torsion bars? I have had OME bars installed
for almost a year with no noise at all.

 

[efil4ynot]

No. But if it's not them then it's the control arms. And it sure seems to be coming from the torsion bars.

 

[Xetabur]

No issues with mine.

 

[cmck]

I have a 99 and upgraded to Tough Dog Tbars. They do not squeak or clunk nor does my older front end over bumps. It feels like something is not right in Denmark. Like above, I also suggest it’s not likely to be tbars. BTW, loose tbar mounting bolts would be a bad thing with the front end weight on them.

I would start by checking all the nuts and bolts in the front suspension and bring them to torq spec. Sorry not to be more targeted in my suggestion.

 

[efil4ynot]

Thanks for the responses. I have physically checked any and all nuts and bolts up there as well as visually inspected everything else.

 

[ncavi10]

Did you check out the front and rear sway bar bushings?

 

[efil4ynot]

Now that you mention it, I don't think I've checked those yet. I'll disconnect them this weekend and take her for a spin. Thanks.

 

[cmck]

I’m really interested in finding out what this turns out to be, please report back.

 

[gatormark91]

There isn't really anything in the torsion bars to creak. My money is on sway bar frame mounts, or, less likely, control arm bushings.

 

[efil4ynot]

Good to know. I'll report back after this weekend.

 

[cmck]

Just thought of something that happened “to a friend” . Check for a wrench dropped then wedged in the suspension and making a horrible noise. This was a long time ago and I got my wrench back.

 

[FLWookie]

I'm guessing its the sway bar bushings. a little grease in there and you should be good to go.

 

[re_guderian]

Is there a reason you're not looking at upper shock bushings? They squeak/creak way more often than the actual torsion bar. Ball joints creak when they're on their way out, too, also way more frequently than torsion bars. There's a lot of junk moving around up front on an IFS rig...

 

[SurfSwitch]

Sway bar bushings and UCA bushings are causing the squeaks 99% of the time. Also worth checking the LCA ball joints. When the LCA joints go bad they can get REALLY loud.