Forum Discussion

msjahn's avatar
msjahn
Explorer
Jul 20, 2013

Sway bar noise

Just returned from a great week of summer camping in norther Michigan. Hot weather so good thing a/c worked and had a great lake.

My question relates to noise I hear from the hitch area. I assume what I am hearing is noise from the sway bar. When I am pulling into a gas station or any other place I hear a grinding raspy type of noise while turning. Is this just a normal noise from the sway bar? Is it set too tight? I assume it has to be quite tight to do it's job. Is there maintenance to do on the sway bar?

10 Replies

  • Drum's avatar
    Drum
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2013
    My hitch has oil holes right on top that I can squirt some oil in before a trip. It's right over the bar ends where the noise comes from. I don't know if other hitches have that because this is the only one I've ever used.
  • sbowman871's avatar
    sbowman871
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2013
    If your weight distribution bars have trunion ends, then just grease them up and the noise will go away.
  • facory's avatar
    facory
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2013
    If the sway bar gets wet from rain it will squeak and groan loudly until it drys out. Could have been part of the noise.
  • Doug33's avatar
    Doug33
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2013
    The best is the popping and groaning noise as I back it into the side of my house when returning from a trip, and all the neighbors are outside watching and listening!
  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Jul 20, 2013
    Creaking, groaning, popping and other strange noises from the hitch are normal. Hear it all the time in our campground. Scares the heck out of people in places like gas stations and they think you've run over a motorcycle or something. :B

    I have seen where the chains rub on the A-frame due to misalignment so you want to make sure it's not that.
  • bartlettj's avatar
    bartlettj
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2013
    I found that the reason my sway bar makes noise is that the ball and socket joints are loose, and it "hammers" as it turns. I cut some milk jug plastic and used it to shim the socket and it eliminated the groaning. My WD hitch bars don't groan because I keep them greased. I use white lithium aerosol grease, wipe them off and give them a good spray before a trip.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2013
    It takes some getting used to in order to disregard all the noise that the typical WD hitch and sway controls make. It can sound like the frame is ripping apart at times. I have stopped and checked to see what was going on, or had someone else move the rig a few feet to see what was happening. There are quieter options.
  • garyindaupeh's avatar
    garyindaupeh
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2013
    You say you are hearing noise from the sway bar. Are you sure the noise isn't coming from the "Equalizing Hitch" instead. I'll bet it is the hitch. In this case ensure that the ends of the hitch bars where they rest in the hitch are greased with wheel bearing grease. It will reduce the noise dramatically!

    Gary S.
  • msjahn's avatar
    msjahn
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2013
    I found some other postings on this issue and they confirm that the moaning and groaning is normal and that cleaning of the bar is also recommended. Thanks for the advice.
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Jul 20, 2013
    The sway bar will moan and groan some. That is normal.

    It is recommended to remove the slider bar from the sway bar and brush it with a wire brush. (wear a mask).

    Your on/off bar should be all the way on but not so tight that you can't tighten it by hand. I bottom mine out and then make sure that the handle is pointed towards the travel trailer.

    Thanks!

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