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      02-21-2019, 06:38 PM   #1
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Broken front sway bar end link

My car was making a rubbing sound on making full right turns. So I decided to have a look at what it was rubbing on, and it was my broken sway bar end link on the passenger side. Anyone had this happen to them? I'm wondering if the shop didn't install my coilovers properly or if it was damaged from wear and tear.

Debating if I should take to dealer or do it myself...doesn't seem like it would be too bad
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      02-21-2019, 06:44 PM   #2
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There is a diy on YouTube and it’s not that bad to do.

They are cheap as well. I would do both.
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      02-21-2019, 06:57 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by obert View Post
There is a diy on YouTube and it's not that bad to do.
From kies motorsports right? I just saw it...I think I can handle it. But I also read your car has to be jacked up evenly or else it's hard to tighten sway bar?

Should I replace with OEM or go for an aftermarket adjustable set? My car is lowered a decent amount
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      02-21-2019, 10:01 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 714f30 View Post
From kies motorsports right? I just saw it...I think I can handle it. But I also read your car has to be jacked up evenly or else it's hard to tighten sway bar?

Should I replace with OEM or go for an aftermarket adjustable set? My car is lowered a decent amount
Yeah from kies.

Unless you think you need to adjust them I would stay with OEM. I just bought a new set and I am lowered on BC. The coils I bought came with a shorter set.
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      02-21-2019, 10:16 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by obert View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by 714f30 View Post
From kies motorsports right? I just saw it...I think I can handle it. But I also read your car has to be jacked up evenly or else it's hard to tighten sway bar?

Should I replace with OEM or go for an aftermarket adjustable set? My car is lowered a decent amount
Yeah from kies.

Unless you think you need to adjust them I would stay with OEM. I just bought a new set and I am lowered on BC. The coils I bought came with a shorter set.
So you didn't install shorter links and got new oem links? How low is your car? I don't have measurements but I have a half finger/finger gap in the front and no gap in the rear. Just wondering if shorter links is needed with my drop
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      02-21-2019, 10:49 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 714f30 View Post
So you didn't install shorter links and got new oem links? How low is your car? I don't have measurements but I have a half finger/finger gap in the front and no gap in the rear. Just wondering if shorter links is needed with my drop
Sorry I should have said OEM style, not adjustable aftermarket ones.

Mine is just as low as yours or close to it. My BC coil kit came with shorter endlinks.

You can check out my build thread to see the kit I installed.
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      02-21-2019, 10:55 PM   #7
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I got the hotchkis adjustable endlinks. They're ok ... certainly overpriced for what it cost them to make them. When I lowered my car the drivers side endlink didn't exactly fit right (to say the least). I had to force it.

It was very cool to reach up in there with the wheels on the ground and feel the preload disappear as I adjusted each end. The car does ride a bit better, I imagine it handles more evenly L/R. There's some vids out there for how to install.

After bolting them up, leave the adjustment loose. Drive back and forth a bunch for it to settle. Get a friend or put weights in the drivers seat. Reach up behind the wheel and move it around to find where there's no resistance, then snug the nut. Then jack back up and crank the nuts down.

To install them is pretty easy. But there's not much room to get the tools in on the bottom end where the link attaches to the bar (maybe just an awd problem with all the extra nonsense up front). It took me longer than it should have and I cursed a bunch. It's doable, there's one exact spot where you can turn the wrench a bit and one exact spot where you can counterhold the bushing with a torx socket. A flex head ratcheting 16mm long handle wrench could be the deal but is not necessary.
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      02-22-2019, 03:25 AM   #8
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Thanks guys. Researched more and I think I am going to grab an adjustable set. Just need to figure out what range of adjustment I need (x" + or - y")
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      02-22-2019, 05:05 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 714f30 View Post
Anyone had this happen to them? I'm wondering if the shop didn't install my coilovers properly or if it was damaged from wear and tear.
Yes, it happened to me when I had KW V2s installed. The struts were installed on the wrong side...confused which was the left and right side of the car FYI, the label on the struts are marked L/R.

If the socket/ball are not damaged, you may be able to pop the ball back into the socket, re-grease and refit the dust boot. That is what we did to fix my link-ends. They have been fine since (2+ yrs).

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      02-22-2019, 07:20 AM   #10
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Super simple. I replaced mine with MEYLE HD.

Highly recommend you doing the same or similar.

Do not pay anyone to swap... unless its your nephew.
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      02-22-2019, 07:23 AM   #11
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Im lowered on Bilstein B8 and AC Schnitzer springs in case it matters.
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      02-23-2019, 04:40 PM   #12
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Is an alignment needed after installing new links?
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      02-23-2019, 04:44 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 714f30 View Post
Is an alignment needed after installing new links?
Nope. Not changing anything alignment related.

Assuming she tracks straight today... Id say the risk of her not tomorrow (with new links) is non-existent.
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      02-23-2019, 10:11 PM   #14
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Don't you need adjustable end links when installed coilovers since your car will be lowered?
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      02-23-2019, 10:17 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alexng72 View Post
Don't you need adjustable end links when installed coilovers since your car will be lowered?
My kit came with shorter none adjustable end links.
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      02-23-2019, 10:30 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alexng72 View Post
Don't you need adjustable end links when installed coilovers since your car will be lowered?
Depends on the drop I guess? I'm thinking my drop requires it as I broke my oem link.
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      02-23-2019, 10:46 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 714f30 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by alexng72 View Post
Don't you need adjustable end links when installed coilovers since your car will be lowered?
Depends on the drop I guess? I'm thinking my drop requires it as I broke my oem link.
Yea that's what i mean. Some kit don't include shorter end links so you have to get adjustable ones so they don't break like yours.
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      02-23-2019, 11:10 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alexng72 View Post
Don't you need adjustable end links when installed coilovers since your car will be lowered?
No. You dont.

See above posts.
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      02-23-2019, 11:11 PM   #19
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Why would you need shorter stabilizer links if Im telling you and proving with photos that you dont?

Are we trying to be difficult?!
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      02-23-2019, 11:12 PM   #20
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The body of the shock in the photo is the shortest that Bilstein manufactures. Shorter stabilizer links not needed.
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      02-24-2019, 01:18 AM   #21
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Before you buy another end link and having it snap again.

1, was the struts installed on the correct side?
2, are you using the correct front struts?

Cars with xdrive and all cars with EDC have different end links on L and R. While rwd cars without EDC have the same end link (both sides are the same as the L from a EDC or xdrive car) on both sides.

Because your end link snapped on the passenger side. It tells me that you are most likely using the wrong coilover kit for your car and you should be ordering a different end link for the passenger side.
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      02-24-2019, 01:27 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Why would you need shorter stabilizer links if Im telling you and proving with photos that you dont?

Are we trying to be difficult?!
I'm just trying to figure out the problem that i have cause I snapped 2 end links already. There must be a reason why they make adjustable end links. Since different coilovers have different heights and I'm trying to find out what a correct one is to buy. I don't wanna make anyone upset. Chill!
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