Question on upgrading sway bar end links

[PandaM3]

Seems that my front sway bar end links are pretty worn and clunking.

Instead of going with stock I want to upgrade to SPL adjustable end links which requires double checking the length needed.

I have the EDC compatible Bilstein B16 coilovers.

I’ve seen I need to measure the distance between the sway bar and the mounting on the coilover.

Is this done with the suspension compressed and the sway bar disconnected to get an appropriate distance? Or can I just raise the car up and just measure the distance with the suspension sagged in the air?

[roastbeef]

The length stays the same either way bud. Endlinks are adjustable, they don't compress.

[PandaM3]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

The length stays the same either way bud. Endlinks are adjustable, they don't compress.

Thought SPL has different adjustable ranges depending on which coil over you have.

[Gossypiboma]

Originally Posted by PandaM3

Thought SPL has different adjustable ranges depending on which coil over you have.

What he's saying is the length of the end links do not change with cycling of the suspension. Measure how you see fit, it will come out the same.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by PandaM3

Thought SPL has different adjustable ranges depending on which coil over you have.

They are, but cycling the suspension isn't going to change the length you have.

[PandaM3]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

They are, but cycling the suspension isn't going to change the length you have.

Cool so just order a set in the same size range as the stock ones (or whatever SPL’s standard size is)... cool that save me the trouble of having to jack the car up and measuring

[mlchen34]

Just installed them on mine. I also have b16 with two threads showing. My spl endlinks measured about 12 inches. Remember that the sway bar can be rotated up and down when disconnected from both struts so the length may be different for your setup. Watch out that the sway bar does not impinge on the lower control arm or inner tie rod.

Before installing the endlinks I measured the distance from the center of the hub to the fender lip with the car on the ground. With the car lifted and wheels off, I jacked up one strut to the same distance and installed the endlink. Making sure the locking nuts are snug, I moved on to the other side. I essentially recreated the car on the ground with two jacks under both discs.

There are many videos on how to remove preload so I won't go into detail here.

This setup works like a dream.

[PandaM3]

Originally Posted by mlchen34

Just installed them on mine. I also have b16 with two threads showing. My spl endlinks measured about 12 inches. Remember that the sway bar can be rotated up and down when disconnected from both struts so the length may be different for your setup. Watch out that the sway bar does not impinge on the lower control arm or inner tie rod.

Before installing the endlinks I measured the distance from the center of the hub to the fender lip with the car on the ground. With the car lifted and wheels off, I jacked up one strut to the same distance and installed the endlink. Making sure the locking nuts are snug, I moved on to the other side. I essentially recreated the car on the ground with two jacks under both discs.

There are many videos on how to remove preload so I won't go into detail here.

This setup works like a dream.

Cool I should try to re torque my front end links with the suspension compressed first before buying new end-links.

I had a shop replace my front control arms with monoball control arms. I started getting a low speed pop/ creak. Using a pry bar on everything only caused the end links to make noise and pop.

Should be easy enough to loosen them and re snug them back compressed… if it still makes noise then might as well upgrade them to the SPL's rather than replace.

Do you also have the rear SPL end links as well?

[mlchen34]

I have the rear endlinks but have not had a chance to install.

[PandaM3]

Got around to removing my front end links to see if they where making the noise.

The car drives much quieter. Both end link rubber covers are torn where they connect to the strut.

So I went ahead and ordered front and rear SPL adjustable end links.

[Redd]

I've got Ohlins R/T with H&R sways. Car is lowered to around ZCP height, so not extreme. What are the advantages for getting SPL endlinks for me, if any?

[tsk94]

Originally Posted by Redd

I've got Ohlins R/T with H&R sways. Car is lowered to around ZCP height, so not extreme. What are the advantages for getting SPL endlinks for me, if any?

You can prevent preload on the sway bar if you corner balance the car.

[BMotorenWerke]

PandaM3

I'm chasing a clunking sound at very low speed on going off the throttle, its not very consistent.

Its coming from front right wheel area and read up your post and some others on a common clunk at low speeds.
Car is a stock 2012 e92

Im not mechanically "gifted", but we all have to start somewhere..

Do these sway bar drop links look split or in need of replacing ?

Appreciate any insight, local tech shop hasn't been able to nail this one down yet and its not very consistent.

Some YouTube research
Timestamp 7:18 for split sway bar drop link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgBWv2g_-kY&t=438s
Timestamp 9:00 for what new one looks like
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgBWv2g_-kY&t=540s