Sway bar rubbing on lower control arm
 

I have an 06 LT with 89K. Last summer I replaced the sway bar end links, I have the F3 suspension. The ones that were on there were the 12" links so that's what I replaced with. Took a little of the front end noise out but not all. This past week I noticed a new sound,not a clunk but more of a metal on metal sound(something loose banging together) when driving on the passenger side.Doesn't take much of a bump to cause sound.Sounds like it starts in the front but because it seems to transfer sound toward the back it's hard to pinpoint. The only thing that I could find is the sway bar is making contact with the lower control arm while vehicle was jacked up(suspension hanging). Could be rubbing or making contact while driving. Not a lot of wear as the powder coat or paint has not peeled.Driver side no such problem. Any ideas on what would cause this to start making contact now. Would using the 10" links raise the sway bar higher? No one seems to know why they used 2 different length links.

12" end links cause the sway bar to rub on the LCAs.
GM did not use 2 different length links, yours were replaced at some time.
The parts books are wrong. The error comes from the part numbers, the one that ends in 12 (K750012) is the correct one but somebody assUmed that the "12" implied it was 12 inches. So when a parts guy asks "do you want the 12's?" you get the 12 inch links (K80252).

The other problem, I believe, is that the 12" links cause the sway bar to travel far enough L/R to dislodge the stops that are attached to the sway bar near the bushings. That is my opinion only.

I bought the car with 61k on it. Think they would change them so soon? I suppose it depends on the road conditions where they lived. Thanks for the info. At least they are easy to change.

Road conditions not really a factor! Search "end links" and you will find hundreds of references to bad ones at all sorts of mileages.

In passing and only tangentially related; Monroe recommends changing shocks & struts every 50,000 miles, even their replacements.

Check your sway bar bushings while you are in there and note the positions of the stops, they are plastic (I think) and ride on the inside of the bushings.

I replaced my 12" links with 10" links and all is well. Donbrew is right, I don't ever see where 12" links would be good. Thanks

Me! Right! I must be doing something wrong.

Don, now it's official, if it's on the internet it must be true!!

I recently had occasion to look at a Cobalt up on rack. Seems they use the 12 inch links and stamped steel LCAs and a smaller sway bar.