Dealer installed TRD springs and swaybar when car was new... odd popping noises

[firebird1999us]

I've got about 950 miles on the car and it's started making strange popping noises at very low speeds and when backing out of my garage and into the street. The noises are coming from the back of the car and are on both sides. They DO NOT happen at highway speeds or anything over say 10mph.

I recorded this clip just in my neighborhood... the swishing is my hand on the steering wheel so ignore that. It's the noise that sounds like two pots clanking together or the dull metallic pop/clunk:

I also discovered that the stock swaybar bushing/spacer is installed in the middle of the swaybar so I'm hopeful that's the culprit since the instructions clearly say it's supposed to be removed.

 

[Dapsters]

If you only have 950 miles on it and just got it, I wouldn't mess with anything. Bring it back to them and make them fix it, if you try and find an issue I'm sure they'll blame you for their screwups and refuse to fix it

 

[firebird1999us]

If you only have 950 miles on it and just got it, I wouldn't mess with anything. Bring it back to them and make them fix it, if you try and find an issue I'm sure they'll blame you for their screwups and refuse to fix it

Why would I have done anything other than that? I was asking so people could give me their opinion in case the dealer tried to brush it off? Which is exactly what the service advisor did when I showed up...

Turns out it was exactly what I asked about above. The rubber damper should have never went back in and was not allowing the swaybar any movement.

So now people can have a point of reference if something similar happens to them in the future.

 

[firebird1999us]

.

 

[Dapsters]

Why would I have done anything other than that? I was asking so people could give me their opinion in case the dealer tried to brush it off? Which is exactly what the service advisor did when I showed up...

Turns out it was exactly what I asked about above. The rubber damper should have never went back in and was not allowing the swaybar any movement.

So now people can have a point of reference if something similar happens to them in the future.

You never know, a lot of people like to be DIY'ers (myself included) and would suck to be blamed for a screwup you didn't do.

Glad you got it figured out.

 

[firebird1999us]

You never know, a lot of people like to be DIY'ers (myself included) and would suck to be blamed for a screwup you didn't do.

Glad you got it figured out.

I'm typically DIY but yeah on that kind of thing there was no way I was going to try to take the back of the car apart! Glad it turned out to be something simple... it's so nice backing out of the garage and not hearing a steel drum solo coming from the back of the car! lol

 

[my16corolla]

I am glad you posted this in case I was to experience this when I switch to the TRD springs and swaybars in the coming months.

 

[15BlueRolla]

I have the rubber damper installed in mine with no problems. I did find out sometimes the bolts will get a little loose after too much flexing. Causing a weird popping noise when flexing or turning hard.

 

[IRanNaked]

Why would I have done anything other than that? I was asking so people could give me their opinion in case the dealer tried to brush it off? Which is exactly what the service advisor did when I showed up...

Turns out it was exactly what I asked about above. The rubber damper should have never went back in and was not allowing the swaybar any movement.

So now people can have a point of reference if something similar happens to them in the future.

How's the sway bar treating you? Debating on getting one to improve handling