Dynamic Drive Active Stabilizer Bar Leak *fix*
 

Hello all I have decided to fix what appears to be the last leak I have. Before I toss out $1800 on a new unit I decided to reseal the boots. I am not sure if this is going to solve the problem yet, but I am confident in my abilities.

*Please note that I am not liable if you choose to attempt this on your own. Wear your PPE and please be extra safe*

Notable tools needed... *not everything pictured*
-3/8" ratchet and extensions
-16mm, 13mm, 10mm, 8mm(1/4") and wobble sockets
-17mm, 14mm, 11mm, 10mm wrenchs
-T30 torx
-I used a 5/8" as my 16mm went missing.
-various tools like pics, small screw drivers
-brake cleaner
-heat gun

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nA...=w1046-h588-no

Leaking sway bar...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YX...k=w784-h588-no

1. Jack up and secure car.

2. Remove driver and passenger wheels.

3.Remove 8mm bolts holding the black protective plastive covering the control arm.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/go...=w1046-h588-no

4. Open the power steering reservoir and then remove the 17mm and 14mm hydraulic lines on the sway bar. *be ready to catch fluid*.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GY...s=w657-h369-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Cp...=w1046-h588-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EH...=w1046-h588-no

6. Disconnect the distribution valve for the vent valves...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gW...=w1046-h588-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gu...=w1046-h588-no

7. Remove 10mm nut on bracket near sway bar mount and loosen the other. Then, swing the bracket out of the way.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wX...=w1046-h588-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/57...=w1046-h588-no

8. Remove sway bar end links with T30 and 5/8" or 16mm wrench.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kO...=w1046-h588-no

9. Remove the sway bar mounts which are each held on by a 13mm bolt on top and a 13mm nut on bottom. *Be careful as it will be ready to pull out after this.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yv...=w1046-h588-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/An...=w1046-h588-no

10. Remove sway bar...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ur...=w1046-h588-no

Now that the sway bar is out here are shots of where its leaking and what needs to be fixed.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/au...=w1046-h588-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sk...=w1046-h588-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VF...=w1046-h588-no

11. Remove vent valves and set aside for later.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UI...=w1046-h588-no

12. Remove as much glue as you can. One side can be removed from the pump and the other cannot. A heat gun can be used here but be very careful you do not melt the boot.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/e0...=w1046-h588-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ly...=w1046-h588-no

I used a really small allen to remove glue between boot and bar....

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CA...=w1046-h588-no

All clean. I was able to completely remove all the glue from this side.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RY...=w1046-h588-no

This side I removed as much as I could with a small screwdriver and allen wrench. I also tried to stretch the boot out a little bit so I could fit new product in there.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hV...=w1046-h588-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xo...=w1046-h588-no

13. Time to add gasket maker and glue. *clean with brake cleaner one more time and make sure it is dry*

First I added a ring of Permatex Ultra Black

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tQ...=w1046-h588-no

Followed by this glue...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aw...=w1046-h588-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yW...=w1046-h588-no

For this side I pryed open the end and used the nozzle on the Ultra black to inject the boot with as much sealer as possible. Then I packed in new glue.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Fo...=w1046-h588-no

14. clamp down and clean... Do not clamp so hard that all the sealer comes out. *I used a heat gun to shrink the boot back tight to the metal then clamped the boot. If there were any more waves in the boot I hit it with heat till it smoothed out.*

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oR...=w1046-h588-no

How it will sit for the night.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eU...=w1046-h588-no

Last part for the night. Tomorrow will be assembly.

15. Clean the vent valves. Here I took apart the vent valves, cleaned, and reassembled pictures of them. This piece may need to be replaced, so we will keep an eye on it.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lp...=w1046-h588-no

There are rubber o-rings inside the end that may be seeping. If so these valves would need to be replaced.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/C7...=w1046-h588-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XJ...=w1046-h588-no

All cleaned...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_3...=w1046-h588-no

From here it will be installing in reverse order. I will leave the clamps on for a while as the clamps do not affect the use of the sway bar. Eventually I will take them off.

I am hoping this will be a long term fix and will post back once the system is up and operational.

Excellent job. Thank you for sharing this! Keep us posted how it all worked out.

I just went out and checked it as I needed a break from homework. It seems like it sealed well and is dry/hard. I will install it tomorrow.

Both left sides of each boot came unglued as soon as I removed the clamps. The right sides were sealed really tight though. I think I clamped them too tight and did not allow enough glue to remain between the boot and bar. Anyways, I repacked the left side of the boots with a mixture of Ultra black and glue. I also reapplied another coat to the already sealed right sides. It looks rough but I am confident it will hold and seal now when it dries.

Here is a shot of the right side. It looks better in person, I swear.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xa...=w1046-h588-no

I will report back in the morning.

Keep us posted. It doesn't matter much how it looks as long as it functions. No-one can see this part anyway.

This turned out much better.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3N...=w1133-h637-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/39...=w1133-h637-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bK...=w1133-h637-no

Now that its installed you will have to fill the power steering reservoir and clock the wheels a few times.

Then you will have to initialize the ARS system. I did this using ISTA+

Here is a video that I took of the system performing the test. I am so happy to be learning as much as I am about these cars.


Sorry for the bad video. Not a fan of recording with my cell phone.

Here is a link in the event youtube stops working.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Zi...&cver=20171025

No leaks are present so it will be a matter of time to see if this will be a long term fix.

How it feels now? It’s not leaking?