Adjustable Sway Bar End Links

[itdnwiwbp]

What adjustable sway bar end links are folks here running? I'm aware of the Ground Control ones but just want to make sure I haven't missed anything before I make a decision.
Thanks!

[dorifto88]

funny i was just looking at this info this morning. i believe status tuning (i think is how you spell it) makes a set as well for less than 100 for the set. ive also heard reference that whiteline makes a set for the e46 but i wasnt able to find it on their page when i was looking earlier this morning

[itdnwiwbp]

My greatest concern is to find the best quality possible. I've (against my better judgement) spared no expense (short of going with Motons) on the other suspension components I'll be installing next month and just want to make sure I end up with the best available. I know many people love their Ground Control components but my mechanic strongly advises against them due to quality issues (and for the record he's not selling anything to me). That said, if nothing else enticing comes up I'll be going with the GCs.

[DSC_OFF]

I used the Bimmerworld ones, I needed shortest possible so I went with their e36 adjustable ones.

[inTgr8r]

This is something I also need to do.

IIRC there was a previous discussion on sources for these

[itdnwiwbp]

I just called GC to confirm fitment and their rears won't fit a stock swaybar. I talked to Turner and they said their e46 rears will fit based on having the same part number in the diagrams. Can anyone confirm that the e46 and e86M have the same rear swaybar end links?

[mfanatic325]

Can someone enlighten me as to what benefits there are for swapping out the OE links?

For my MR2, I had to get these beefy-ass end links for the front axle because the car had some crazy stiff ST swaybars and kept destroying end links left and right. But I don't recall reading up about shortening links aside from clearance issues

[itdnwiwbp]

I'm no suspension expert but it's my understanding that to properly corner balance a vehicle with coilovers adjustable end links are necessary to remove the preload from the swaybars. I'm sure someone else with more technical knowledge can chime in with a more detailed answer.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by mfanatic325

Can someone enlighten me as to what benefits there are for swapping out the OE links?

....

Originally Posted by itdnwiwbp

I'm no suspension expert but it's my understanding that to properly corner balance a vehicle with coilovers adjustable end links are necessary to remove the preload from the swaybars. I'm sure someone else with more technical knowledge can chime in with a more detailed answer.

Yes it's for corner balancing.
Do the corner balance with endlink disconnected then when done reinstall.
- adjust endlink for Swaybar angle and zero load (s.bar is in neutral position)

[mfanatic325]

Ah I see. So just plainly corner balancing without adjustable en links isn't as good right? Cause that's all I had done (no adjustables).

[Kgolf31]

You can actually run on OE endlinks depending on how low you go.

Once you develop pre-load on the bar is when you need adjustable endlinks. However the OE endlinks do have some movement and can avoid preload to a certain point.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

You can actually run on OE endlinks depending on how low you go.

Once you develop pre-load on the bar is when you need adjustable endlinks. However the OE endlinks do have some movement and can avoid preload to a certain point.

? Not following that one.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by itdnwiwbp

I just called GC to confirm fitment and their rears won't fit a stock swaybar. I talked to Turner and they said their e46 rears will fit based on having the same part number in the diagrams. Can anyone confirm that the e46 and e86M have the same rear swaybar end links?

According to realOEM part #s are the same

[itdnwiwbp]

The Turners are on the way and will be installed with everything else as soon as I move out of my place with a very steep underground garage entry. I'll post an update at that time.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

? Not following that one.

I phrased it wrong.

The swaybar itself can pivot within the bushings. So it can avoid pre-load by itself.

I talked with TCK about this and he says he is running stock endlinks and has no pre-load on any bars. For reference this is his car:

[inTgr8r]

IC..
I supose it would depend on how evenly the mass is distributed & how little you have to adjust height during corner balance.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by itdnwiwbp

The Turners are on the way and will be installed with everything else as soon as I move out of my place with a very steep underground garage entry. I'll post an update at that time.

Looking forward to the update

[seank]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

IC..
I supose it would depend on how evenly the mass is distributed & how little you have to adjust height during corner balance.

WHS.

If you have coil overs for a purpose, other than visual, you need adjustable end links.

[mfanatic325]

I guess I got lucky then, since I have TCKs, and I don't recall the tuning shop mentioning needing adjustable links. I just had them provide me a street/track compromise setting, with less (rather than more) emphasis on tire saving.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by seank

WHS.

If you have coil overs for a purpose, other than visual, you need adjustable end links.

If you don't have pre-load you don't have pre-load...

The sway bar is a torsion bar, it shouldn't at all effect the corner balance UNLESS you add pre-load to it.

Am I understanding this wrong?

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Looking forward to the update

Your kw club sports came with new end links..... Why do you need to change these???

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Beedub

Your kw club sports came with new end links..... Why do you need to change these???

because they're not adjustable to remove preload.

before I buy, I'll do a comparison on the scales. (in the spring)
- corner balanced with end links disconnected.
-then connect the links & observe the change on the scales.