[bomorgan123]

Hey guys, I've got a bit of a problem. I installed some longer end links last night, as my car has been lowered on eibach springs. I went for a drive this morning and took a look at the links when I got back. The drive shaft as eaten half way through each link! I will include a pic of each side. What could be causing this? The links are at the longest setting, but only one side seemed to still have a good bit of preload on the sway bar. I'm lost. oh and don't mind my salty under carriage

[bomorgan123]

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[bomorgan123]

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[vwetish]

Originally Posted by bomorgan123

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Are the struts on the correct position? You have left and right.
Looks like you have them reversed. The sway bar link should be on the other side of the half shaft.
On the side of the caliper, toward the back of the car.

[bomorgan123]

The struts? Im pretty sure they are right. Are you referring to the end link that has an "L" on it? But I don't see how the sway bar could go over the half shaft. I know it goes over the tie rod. Here is a generic photo I found:

[bomorgan123]

http://blog.bavauto.com/wp-content/u.../11/fig152.jpg

[vwetish]

Originally Posted by bomorgan123

The struts? Im pretty sure they are right. Are you referring to the end link that has an "L" on it? But I don't see how the sway bar could go over the half shaft. I know it goes over the tie rod. Here is a generic photo I found:

What i'm saying is that you have Left and Right struts. They aren't identical.If they are reverse it will cause issues.

[bomorgan123]

Oh ok, I thought maybe you were referring to the big L on the end link. The struts are installed correctly. I took note of this on the install.

I can't figure out what else would cause this!! Anyone with a lowered xi have this problem?

[vwetish]

Originally Posted by bomorgan123

Oh ok, I thought maybe you were referring to the big L on the end link. The struts are installed correctly. I took note of this on the install.

I can't figure out what else would cause this!! Anyone with a lowered xi have this problem?

At this point you are better off taking this discussion at XI/XDrive section.
Sorry I couldn't have been more of a help to you.

[ajsalida]

Take some pics of your car exactly like the bavauto pic linked above. Either the upper part of the link is on the wrong side of the strut tab, the link is too long, or something is misaligned/reversed. Impossible to tell from your pics or description.

Something has to have been installed incorrectly to push the link back into the axle, I am not even sure it could happen if the link was too long or short and everything else was done right. Basically when on the ground the end of the sway bar where the link attaches should be horizontal, in line with the axle, and have a lot of clearance.

[bomorgan123]

I don't even think that pic is from an e90 but I can take one regardless.

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by bomorgan123

I don't even think that pic is from an e90 but I can take one regardless.

You're right it clearly isn't but that angle is more likely to show what is wrong.

Also could you explain your comment about preload on the sway bar? Another thing could have happened is the bar somehow is loose, coming backwards and then pushing the link into the axle. Not a whole lot of ways you can get the link back far enough to touch the axle.

[bomorgan123]

I figured it out! If you look in the above image, you can see that the tab on the strut is perpendicular to the vehicle. Mine was parallel, pointing towards the rear. This changed the angle and made the end link way to short. I simply loosened the strut clamp, and twisted the strut accordingly.

Thanks for making me take a second look at that pic!

[jwzimm]

Your struts should have a pin in them them that aligns with the split in the knuckle. Are you sure you have the struts fully seated in the knuckle?

[Jsoboti]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Your struts should have a pin in them them that aligns with the split in the knuckle. Are you sure you have the struts fully seated in the knuckle?

+1

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by bomorgan123

I figured it out! If you look in the above image, you can see that the tab on the strut is perpendicular to the vehicle. Mine was parallel, pointing towards the rear. This changed the angle and made the end link way to short. I simply loosened the strut clamp, and twisted the strut accordingly.

Thanks for making me take a second look at that pic!

OK that would do it. Good job finding it. I agree with others, make sure the struts are seated as far down as they can go into the knuckle. Are those Konis? If so the bottoms should stick out quite a ways, like 2" or more. There is a kind of cup machined into the knuckle, the strut housing has a matching shape and they should fit snug. Plus the tabs for the links need to face inwards, as you found out.

[ajsalida]

One more thing here, you need to look closely at the axles and the links, they, some or all, may need to be replaced if they were ground up as bad as they look in the pics. Basically you made a lathe out of them and you really don't want any of those parts failing under load.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by bomorgan123

I figured it out! If you look in the above image, you can see that the tab on the strut is perpendicular to the vehicle. Mine was parallel, pointing towards the rear. This changed the angle and made the end link way to short. I simply loosened the strut clamp, and twisted the strut accordingly.

Thanks for making me take a second look at that pic!

There should be a notch off the shock that fits within the knuckle. Does yours not have it?

[bomorgan123]

Sorry guys, I haven't been on the site lately but thanks for the comments.

The bottom end of the strut is smooth all the way around.

[bomorgan123]

Originally Posted by ajsalida

One more thing here, you need to look closely at the axles and the links, they, some or all, may need to be replaced if they were ground up as bad as they look in the pics. Basically you made a lathe out of them and you really don't want any of those parts failing under load.

I thought I had everything figured out until I broke another end link. (Nice prediction) These adjustable links are close to $200 shipped! Im thinking the links were just weak because of being worn. Oh and I checked the axles no damage.