Review Cheap Adjustable Sway Bar End Links
04-10-2012, 12:22 PM
#35
Why do you need adjustable sway end links?
There are two main reasons:
1. To eliminate preload caused by uneven height. This is the main reason that OEM end links break. When one side of the suspension is even slightly lower than the other, it causes pull on one side and push on the other. When you make an aggressive turn, the weight shifts even more and causes the force to multiple, to the point that exceeds the force rating of the end links.
2. This is not as obvious but also very important. The optimal angle for sway bars is parallel to the car. When the car height is lowered, angle of the sway bar is shifted. The bushing of the sway bar is connected to the car's body and is lowered with car. But the ends links of the sway bar is connected to the suspension upper control arm, which does not lower with the car's height. As a result, the sway bars are angled up and no longer at the optimal working angle.
Here is a picture of stock height rear sway bar. Notice the relative parallel angle of the bar:
In contrast, here is my car with kw coilovers and lowered 1.5 inch. The end links were set to stock length. Notice how the sway bar is pointed up:
And this is after lengthening the end links and bringing the angle back down:
There are two main reasons:
1. To eliminate preload caused by uneven height. This is the main reason that OEM end links break. When one side of the suspension is even slightly lower than the other, it causes pull on one side and push on the other. When you make an aggressive turn, the weight shifts even more and causes the force to multiple, to the point that exceeds the force rating of the end links.
2. This is not as obvious but also very important. The optimal angle for sway bars is parallel to the car. When the car height is lowered, angle of the sway bar is shifted. The bushing of the sway bar is connected to the car's body and is lowered with car. But the ends links of the sway bar is connected to the suspension upper control arm, which does not lower with the car's height. As a result, the sway bars are angled up and no longer at the optimal working angle.
Here is a picture of stock height rear sway bar. Notice the relative parallel angle of the bar:
In contrast, here is my car with kw coilovers and lowered 1.5 inch. The end links were set to stock length. Notice how the sway bar is pointed up:
And this is after lengthening the end links and bringing the angle back down:
Last edited by Modme; 04-10-2012 at 12:40 PM.
04-10-2012, 12:57 PM
#36
Update on the front end links:
The front end links were difficult to put together for a few reasons:
1. The length was extremely short: 76mm
2. The length of the bolt is extremely long: 80mm. The end link top bolt is the same mounting bolt for the shock.
3. The end link utilizes 14mm bolt for the top side and 12mm bolt for the bottom sway bar side.
The only solution was to use heim joints for the front end links. I was able to find super heavy duty metric size joints from an European company. They should arrive in a week. However, the front end links cost significantly more than the rear. It cost me around $200 for all the parts. Pics to come.
The front end links were difficult to put together for a few reasons:
1. The length was extremely short: 76mm
2. The length of the bolt is extremely long: 80mm. The end link top bolt is the same mounting bolt for the shock.
3. The end link utilizes 14mm bolt for the top side and 12mm bolt for the bottom sway bar side.
The only solution was to use heim joints for the front end links. I was able to find super heavy duty metric size joints from an European company. They should arrive in a week. However, the front end links cost significantly more than the rear. It cost me around $200 for all the parts. Pics to come.
04-10-2012, 04:59 PM
#38
OT: The eccentric lockout works great. There is 0 room for any slippage. The camber can only be changed with the coupling nut on the camber arm. The problem is the toe bolt. Since the toe bolt is also the spring perch, I couldn't get rid of the eccentric toe bolt. I've noticed some toe slip every half a year or so.
In terms of pricing for the front end links, it is all premature for now. I have to do fitment and testing on the it. If all works out well, I think we can get a group discount to bring the price closer to $150.
04-11-2012, 02:06 PM
#42
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did the whiteline rears fix your ride height issue?
04-11-2012, 09:48 PM
#43
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its true! these g/z forums have become to saturated with the SAME EXACT thing over, and over, and over again, i feel like im on hondatech, no offense. its just the amount of information about identical things is absurd. i remember in 06 things were being invented for the platform and everyone was innovative. everyday owners were turning to machining for parts that werent available yet. those days are gone...or so i thought. its just nice to see someone put their brain to use, and not their wallet. dont mind my bitter self.
BUMP! ill take the rear ones...as of last week if possible, i have no rear sway bar, my link snapped completely off some months back. i have new oem's but this is a far superior design for dropped cars
BUMP! ill take the rear ones...as of last week if possible, i have no rear sway bar, my link snapped completely off some months back. i have new oem's but this is a far superior design for dropped cars
04-11-2012, 11:27 PM
#44
its true! these g/z forums have become to saturated with the SAME EXACT thing over, and over, and over again, i feel like im on hondatech, no offense. its just the amount of information about identical things is absurd. i remember in 06 things were being invented for the platform and everyone was innovative. everyday owners were turning to machining for parts that werent available yet. those days are gone...or so i thought. its just nice to see someone put their brain to use, and not their wallet. dont mind my bitter self.
BUMP! ill take the rear ones...as of last week if possible, i have no rear sway bar, my link snapped completely off some months back. i have new oem's but this is a far superior design for dropped cars
BUMP! ill take the rear ones...as of last week if possible, i have no rear sway bar, my link snapped completely off some months back. i have new oem's but this is a far superior design for dropped cars
That's exactly how i feel! I keep seeing the same threads over and over again. Sometimes I try to help out, but I wish there is more creativity and activity in the forum. Anyways, thanks for the support!
04-11-2012, 11:29 PM
#45
Whiteline has both front and rear. i guess i checked on for g35 so i might be wrong! but i have hotchkis sways and i think i really need some endlinks. i haven't checked if they're broken or not but i'm having some clicking sound from the front and my stance isn't even comparing the right and left side of the car sitting on springs.
I've only seen this issue with hotckis sways!
I should really check now that you said that. i have hotchkis and remember that i had to put A LOT of pressure to move them so i can make them fit. i'm sure they have been SUPER preloaded. and with that clicking from the front, i'm assuming i have broken all four
My ride height is uneven too. right is higher than the left. i've always thought it was my springs but that wasn't the issue. i recently started to think it might be the endlinks. i gotta check em tonight when i get home.
did the whiteline rears fix your ride height issue?
I've only seen this issue with hotckis sways!
I should really check now that you said that. i have hotchkis and remember that i had to put A LOT of pressure to move them so i can make them fit. i'm sure they have been SUPER preloaded. and with that clicking from the front, i'm assuming i have broken all four
My ride height is uneven too. right is higher than the left. i've always thought it was my springs but that wasn't the issue. i recently started to think it might be the endlinks. i gotta check em tonight when i get home.
did the whiteline rears fix your ride height issue?
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