Factory sway bars/linkages

[Azgasser]

Just got back from the dealership and had a front sway bar replaced under an extended warranty. I had a squeal from the front, driver more than left side, that has been going on for about 10 weeks. Some days better and some days worse. It was only turning left/hard left at slow speed (15-25mph). No handling issues, vibrations, or other noises. Drover over 5K miles since the noise started but could not pin it down.
They put it up on the rack, pulled the wheels and found that the sway bar was bent and rubbing on the half shafts. With no other suspension issues/damage noticed, just a bent bar, I am looking for thoughts on this. Was the original just a bad product that took 60K miles wear down? Are the factory sway bars a weak point in the suspension and steering? Any recommendations on an upgraded more robust bar? There is about a 1/4” space between the linkage and the half shafts. Thanks in advance for thoughts.

Passenger side

Drivers

 

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[LegalBrief]

You have a lot of dust.. suspect u hit ditch or raven at some point. Interesting they didn’t do the end links, or replace that drive shaft. Hmm?

Yes - There are numerous after market sway bars that are solid.

 

[Azgasser]

So after a little more digging, it seems that the 19-22 AT4s have shorter sway bar linkages that the refreshes. By almost an inch. I’m guessing there were enough issues that they made the modifications. The two linkages have different part numbers although GM shows that the new ones will work with the early AT4s. With the longer length this pushes the swat bar up and away from the axle allowing more space to prevent rubbing.
Here is the original links.

Here is a side by side look and the increase in spacing.

Of note, is did add the 6112s and new UCAs about 3 months before the noise was first noticed.