[B58Bar]

!!!SOLVED!!! - see posts #8 and #9

2016 340i. Just recently installed an H&R front sway bar with SPL front end link. Installed the sway bar first alone, no issues, but a few weeks after installing the front end links I'm hearing loud clunking sounds when turning quickly or on uneven roads.

Took a look at this thread but didnt seem to apply: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2080457

But i think i found the problem. The front-end link bolts are coming into contact with a metal bar (not sure what the name of this part would be, front subframe bar?). What's the solution for this? Do i have to raise my suspension (already tried 1.5 inches, no change), or mount the links differently?

I could also add washers to move the bolt away from the metal bar, or to raise the suspension so that the bolt is over top that bar. Suspension measures 14.5 inches from bottom of BMW wheel emblem to bottom of fender. 225/45/R18 tires on m-sport rims.

[c31tuck]

Try shimming. Easiest solution first. Washers will work but proper shims would be preferred. I question whether this could introduce bending loads on the link. Trimming the threaded bolt coming off the lollipop is also an option. I can walk you through that or I’m sure there’s a bolt trimming vid on YouTube. And just to confirm, there is no preload on the sway bar, right?

[B58Bar]

Originally Posted by c31tuck

Try shimming. Easiest solution first. Washers will work but proper shims would be preferred. I question whether this could introduce bending loads on the link. Trimming the threaded bolt coming off the lollipop is also an option. I can walk you through that or I’m sure there’s a bolt trimming vid on YouTube. And just to confirm, there is no preload on the sway bar, right?

Did consider washers but one of the bolts literally pressed up against that metal arm/bar, i worried i wouldnt have enough clearance regardless. No preload, and the photos were taken on a ramp at ride height.

Posted this on some other forums too, the consensus seems to be that i need to raise my suspension or get shorter links. Actually, most people said to cut the bolt or use washers but id like to avoid that if possible.

[c31tuck]

If you’re not under preload with these links, changing to shorter ones would definitely change that. Changing the ride height is an option, but you would effectively have to raise it quite a bit and totally change your asthetic. Best of luck!
Keep the thread updated, if you don’t mind. Would love to learn from your experience.

[iroblesui]

Are you on stock or modified suspension? I had a similar issue with a terrible clunking noise coming from my SPL endlinks, turns out they were loose and because I was on Coilovers the length of them was not correct causing them to loosen and be overloaded causing binding.

I removed them and maxed them out on shortness and re installed while the car was on the ground and suspension was under load.

So far it’s been a week since then and no issues have came up and the terrible noise is gone.

Were your endlinks installed with suspension under load? Or were the endlinks length matched to stock endlinks?

[B58Bar]

Originally Posted by iroblesui

Are you on stock or modified suspension? I had a similar issue with a terrible clunking noise coming from my SPL endlinks, turns out they were loose and because I was on Coilovers the length of them was not correct causing them to loosen and be overloaded causing binding.

I removed them and maxed them out on shortness and re installed while the car was on the ground and suspension was under load.

So far it’s been a week since then and no issues have came up and the terrible noise is gone.

Were your endlinks installed with suspension under load? Or were the endlinks length matched to stock endlinks?

I definitely need to go back and check my preload, likely i wasn't fully under load OR too compressed. Im on KW v2 right now, lowered quite a bit. My SPL links at their shortest position are the same size as my OEM links. I also recently purchased a pair of ECS end links for lowered suspension just in case: ES#4733391

SPL: between 11.4" to 12.9"
ECS: 215mm (8.46") to 275mm (10.82")

Will go back this weekend to check preload and install the ECS links if needed

[iroblesui]

Originally Posted by B58Bar

I definitely need to go back and check my preload, likely i wasn't fully under load OR too compressed. Im on KW v2 right now, lowered quite a bit. My SPL links at their shortest position are the same size as my OEM links. I also recently purchased a pair of ECS end links for lowered suspension just in case: ES#4733391

SPL: between 11.4" to 12.9"
ECS: 215mm (8.46") to 275mm (10.82")

Will go back this weekend to check preload and install the ECS links if needed

Also worth just checking if they are fully tightened (locking nut, endlink body and mounting nuts to the strut and daybed). When I adjusted mine I found they were incredibly lose after install even though I torqued them down after initial install. Might be worth checking that aswell. When reinstalling have the front end on ramps or blocks to have the suspension evenly loaded. I’m on ST XA coils lowered a lot aswell.

[B58Bar]

Tentatively fixed the problem. Bought the ECS links (red) and installed on the car while under load. Made sure to measure ride height while on the ground vs on ramps to ensure match. The bolt is now above the subframe bar. Have a 4hr drive coming up so we will see if it works. I could have also lifted the car up via the suspension to move the SPL bolt above, but as some Facebook members said, the SPL links with no grease or rubber boot were unlikely to last long.

Side note, im sure SPL has something on their website about ride height tolerances (ECS does), but if it doesn't have pictures or the word "horsepower" in it, im not reading it.

ECS links on left, OEM in middle, SPL on right.

Will update Sunday/Monday if it solved the problem.

[B58Bar]

Originally Posted by B58Bar

Tentatively fixed the problem. Bought the ECS links (red) and installed on the car while under load. Made sure to measure ride height while on the ground vs on ramps to ensure match. The bolt is now above the subframe bar. Have a 4hr drive coming up so we will see if it works. I could have also lifted the car up via the suspension to move the SPL bolt above, but as some Facebook members said, the SPL links with no grease or rubber boot were unlikely to last long.

Side note, im sure SPL has something on their website about ride height tolerances (ECS does), but if it doesn't have pictures or the word "horsepower" in it, im not reading it.

ECS links on left, OEM in middle, SPL on right.

Will update Sunday/Monday if it solved the problem.

SOLVED - took it on some back roads with no issues. Bumps, hard cornering, and some light drifting.

What I Learned - Check your end link specs to see what ride heights they fit. I could've raised the car via my coils so the SPL links fit correctly but I opted to instead buy end links specifically for lowered cars. The pair i got was from ECS: ES#4733391

[iroblesui]

Originally Posted by B58Bar

SOLVED - took it on some back roads with no issues. Bumps, hard cornering, and some light drifting.

What I Learned - Check your end link specs to see what ride heights they fit. I could've raised the car via my coils so the SPL links fit correctly but I opted to instead buy end links specifically for lowered cars. The pair i got was from ECS: ES#4733391

Happy to hear it was resolved