Hotchkis Rear Sway Bar - broken centering collars

[Jon2000]

My 2007 MS3 has been clunking/rattling for a while so I finally got time to put it up on the hoist. I was surprised to see both centering collars are broken causing the bar to move left/right. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm going to contact Hotchkis as well.

Pic: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Thanks,
Jon

[Noisy Crow]

Link doesn't work.....

[Jon2000]

^ thanks for pointing that out. I copied/pasted it from another forum.

Please try: https://picasaweb.google.com/jonwilson78/HotchkisBrokenCollar#5638962426179566978

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Kg1OWnrzeNw/TkGeczo1PYI/AAAAAAAAA40/VlwzDIzRprc/s912/IMG_2143.JPG

[cwp_sedan]

I'm pretty sure those collars aren't from Hotchkis. The Hochkis bar has welded stoppers on the bar already. See the picture below.

http://cf.mp-cdn.net/bb/4f/8b9f883b7a0e9408587789e0abd0.jpg


I know some people used to use those on the V1 Progress bars because they didn't have any stoppers. How old is your Hotchkis bar? Maybe at one point they didn't have them. Did you buy it new or used?

[MajesticBlueNTO]

those look like Tri-Point collars...if so, those aren't the first i've seen that broke.

[Jon2000]

Actually on page 9 of 11 in the install manual on their site it shows how to install the centering collars that were included with the rear sway bar kit. I bought the bar brand new last November from StreetUnit.

Snippit from page 9:
================
To ensure the rear bar stays centered, Hotchkis provides split clamp-on collars. First, center
the bar left to right so that the end links are at equal angles. Next, install the collars on the
inside of the bushing edge. Make sure the collars are butted up against the bushings. Fully
tighten the 2 socket bolts on each collar.
================

[cwp_sedan]

I really didn't think they came with them but now that I have seen the install instructions I guess they do. Oh well. Yeah the rear moves a lot more than people might think and those clamps aren't really that strong.

Well definitely contact them and let us know how it goes.

[Jon2000]

^ will do! I sent them an email yesterday (using the form on their website) explaining what happened and mentioned I have a pic to send them. I'm waiting to hear back.

[Jon2000]

I just got an email back from Hotchkis sales ..they asked me to send them a photo so they can see and send the correct part!

[cwp_sedan]

I just got an email back from Hotchkis sales ..they asked me to send them a photo so they can see and send the correct part!

Nice! Good company there.

[Jon2000]

Hotchkis sent new centering collars free of charge via UPS today (hope I don't get a bill for brokerage later)! Great service so far!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r3p_r494NaM/TlL1BR9v4zI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/bi0tgkJKs_I/s1152/IMG_2237.JPG

[cwp_sedan]

Nice! :thumbsup