Advice on adjustable sway bar end links

[nycplumber]

I'm looking to fix a problem Im currently having with the front end links on my car. Not long ago I 'upgraded' to the dinan adjustable sway bar. My mechanic used the supplied Dinan front end links. I'm not sure why but I was informed that they're too long. Having reached out to Dinan every single day for the passed 3 weeks with pictures and other information they have become unresponsive. Which marks the last time I'll buy one of their products but that's another story. My question is what end links will work with the Dinan sway bar and Ohlins R&T coils which are set at the recommended height? I'm considering the Turner ones or the Fall line. Thanks

[slicer]

Do you know what length you need? What spacing you need from the sway bar, shock mount, and threaded shaft length for each? If so I can tell you if the fall-line links fit. I have fall line links now but I need something custom to fit all of my Eibach sway bar adjustment points. I ended up having SPL make something for me. I'll have my fall line end link available for sale once the replacement arrives.

[nycplumber]

I don't know the exact length which is the problem. I'm trying to get this information without having to bring my car in and put it on a lift to measure everything. I'm also asking because I want to find somebody who has a proven set up. Stock EL are 12.99" - 13.58" 330mm-345mm. To my knowledge the Ohlins drops the car anywhere from 30-50mm. Which would make it tricky to pick the correct one on Turner
Website because its only a 15mm threshold (about 9/16")

[inTgr8r]

It has nothing to do with ride height/drop/elevation.

The length depends on the type of coilover.
Each mfg. locates the mounting tab in a slightly different way.
Measuring is really the way to be sure.

Assuming the coilovers are installed....
Its easy to do, just remove a front wheel measure between the two points. (with the bar in aprox. correct position.)

[nycplumber]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

It has nothing to do with ride height/drop/elevation.

The length depends on the type of coilover.
Each mfg. locates the mounting tab in a slightly different way.
Measuring is really the way to be sure.

Assuming the coilovers are installed....
Its easy to do, just remove a front wheel measure between the two points. (with the bar in aprox. correct position.)

Ok thank you I did not know that. With the wheel off will that still simulate the necessary load needed to take the correct measurement?

[slicer]

Originally Posted by nycplumber

I don't know the exact length which is the problem. I'm trying to get this information without having to bring my car in and put it on a lift to measure everything. I'm also asking because I want to find somebody who has a proven set up. Stock EL are 12.99" - 13.58" 330mm-345mm. To my knowledge the Ohlins drops the car anywhere from 30-50mm. Which would make it tricky to pick the correct one on Turner
Website because its only a 15mm threshold (about 9/16")

The Fall-line front end link is 320mm center to center at it's shortest length. Agree with others, you can't just subtract the drop of the car to come to a correct length. It all depends on the specific suspension and sway bar. Plus the length isn't the only variable. There's also the distance between the face of the sway bar mount point and the face of the ball joint at the end of the end-link. That's where mine interfered. I needed a longer bolt and a longer spacer to allow the end link to clear the sway bar. The 320mm length was good in my instance.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by nycplumber

Ok thank you I did not know that. With the wheel off will that still simulate the necessary load needed to take the correct measurement?

Technically you want the sway bar length to be measured with the tires resting on the ground (or a stand or ramp). The sway bar is not supposed to be under load when the car is static. The end link should slide into place with the car on the ground. Jacking up the car and removing one tire will result in some twisting force and make measuring difficult, if not impossible. The best way to do it at home is putting the car on ramps that are tall enough to allow you to crawl under the car to measure.

[inTgr8r]

^ this....
I should have added, with wheel off you need to jack it into correct height position.

[bigjae1976]

Just use the OE links. I have them on my older version Dinan bar. Unless the new bar locates the ends of the sway bar in a different location.

On a different note, a sway bar is a mostly useless mod on this car. I'd go back to stock if I had one.

[simpleM3]

Reviving this thread for a relevant issue.

My issue is slightly different as I'm running the stock ARB, but since installing the Ohlins I've noticed that although the Ohlins are great and handling is drastically improved, something isn’t right and I believe It’s with the endlinks. The suspension doesn't feel as tight and firm as it should. At slow speeds and often over speed bumps, it almost feels a little sloppy.

I'm lower than the Ohlins recommended ride height, which I believe is causing the issue with the end links. I suspect the endlinks may be too long for it now, making them less effective. I wouldn't be surprised if the joints were compromised. This is all just speculation seeing as that I'm not a suspension expert.

I'm looking to get adjustable endlinks to see how/if they help. Any recommendations on a manufacturer? Hotchkis appears to have stopped making theres for the E9x M3 chassis.

[MikeM5]

FWIW, I am running the Fall-Line Motorsport sway bar end links front and rear. Similar to the issue that most are running into in this thread, I needed a shorter link to account for my KW Clubsport ride height. As a result, the E46 M3 length versions of the Fall-Line links were appropriate.



Largely, aftermarket manufacturers are selling them as "E46 M3" or "E9X M3", etc. because their lengths correspond to adjustment dictated by the OE range. Once you move outside that OE range, it becomes a matter of measurement and seeking out a solution accordingly.

PM incoming!

[e9x_m3]

Originally Posted by MikeM5

FWIW, I am running the Fall-Line Motorsport sway bar end links front and rear. Similar to the issue that most are running into in this thread, I needed a shorter link to account for my KW Clubsport ride height. As a result, the E46 M3 length versions of the Fall-Line links were appropriate.



Largely, aftermarket manufacturers are selling them as "E46 M3" or "E9X M3", etc. because their lengths correspond to adjustment dictated by the OE range. Once you move outside that OE range, it becomes a matter of measurement and seeking out a solution accordingly.

PM incoming!

Reviving an old thread! I just picked up KW clubsports and am pairing them with Hotchkis sway bars for my 2008 E92 M3.

It's confusing because some people are saying that the 9"-10.5" front adjustable endlinks from bimmerworld will work but then these fall line E46 front adjustable endlinks have an adjustability range of 10"-11". I've inquired at Turner Motorsport and SPL and both have said they can't make custom length endlinks with an adjustability range of 9" to 10.5"... so what is the length that works with the KW clubsport really? SPL can make me a link that is 9.9" - 11"

on bimmerworld they have the following ranges for their endlinks:
E9X M3 w/ Stock Strut - 12 - 13.5
E9X M3 w/ MCS - 11 - 12.5
E82, E9X Non-M - 11 - 12.5
E46/Z4 (All) - 10 - 11.5
E30/E36 M3, MZ3 - 9 - 10.5
E36/Z3 - MCS Specific - 7 - 9.5
F2X/F3X - MCS-specific - 10 -11.5

[nickauger]

Originally Posted by e9x_m3

Reviving an old thread! I just picked up KW clubsports and am pairing them with Hotchkis sway bars for my 2008 E92 M3.

It's confusing because some people are saying that the 9"-10.5" front adjustable endlinks from bimmerworld will work but then these fall line E46 front adjustable endlinks have an adjustability range of 10"-11". I've inquired at Turner Motorsport and SPL and both have said they can't make custom length endlinks with an adjustability range of 9" to 10.5"... so what is the length that works with the KW clubsport really? SPL can make me a link that is 9.9" - 11"

on bimmerworld they have the following ranges for their endlinks:
E9X M3 w/ Stock Strut - 12 - 13.5
E9X M3 w/ MCS - 11 - 12.5
E82, E9X Non-M - 11 - 12.5
E46/Z4 (All) - 10 - 11.5
E30/E36 M3, MZ3 - 9 - 10.5
E36/Z3 - MCS Specific - 7 - 9.5
F2X/F3X - MCS-specific - 10 -11.5

Club sport coilover have the tab mount much lower than Kw v3 and bilstein pss10 and oem, I have them all on my chest . Lenght of 10-11 would be find, this was the measure I was going to use. All the measure you gave before are going to work since you have space to move the sway bar up and down a bit.