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Are the XI's sway bar end links longer than the I's?
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01-09-2013, 02:03 PM | #1 |
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Are the XI's sway bar end links longer than the I's?
I am curious- I measured mine at 13.5 in, but I read OEM are 11.5. Any one know?
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01-09-2013, 03:51 PM | #4 |
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01-17-2013, 01:11 PM | #6 |
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Yes, front sway bar end links are substantially longer on the xi at 13.5 inches. The only adjustable end links I could find that fit are the HP Autowerks adjustable end links. The lower you go, the longer the end link will need to be to be able to reach to stay at the correct angle
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01-17-2013, 03:11 PM | #7 | |
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01-17-2013, 04:16 PM | #8 |
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01-17-2013, 07:49 PM | #9 |
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Won't it depend on if the strut has a mounting point similar to the stock strut? The Meyle links are shorter than the xi ones and my car seems to handle so much better now after swapping.
Also, is the point suppose to be no load on the sways and endlinks when the car is sitting on the ground? |
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01-23-2013, 10:51 AM | #10 |
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I ordered the 13.5's from Harold as well. (same length as oem). They are also the same length as the M3 apparently. The important thing I learned when looking at the car on the lift is (at least for the AST's) the mounting point on the strut is orientated 90 degrees from the oem strut. The bracket is not mounted in the center of the strut, but askew, and made to be set running front to back- not side to side. The end links on the XI have a 180 degree orientation, but you really need a 90 degree orientation for the correct fitment with the AST's. The adjustable endlinks from Harold solve this issue.
The length of the link is of less concern with the AST's as the mount on the strut is adjustable. I noticed this issue because I found my RF endlink was coming into contact with my drive axel, actually causing wear on the endlink. It is due to the endlink having to be twisted a bit to fit the mounting point. Just wanted to pass on what I learned.
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01-23-2013, 08:03 PM | #11 | |
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01-24-2013, 03:05 PM | #12 | |
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I can mount the endlink on it, by rotating it slightly aft, but it doesn't quite line up correctly. Think of the endlink as a 3d "S". Then take the top bolt and rotate it 90 degrees. Thats what I need. ANSWER= Adjustable endlink from Harold.
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01-24-2013, 04:47 PM | #13 |
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So pits200, do you think the issues you had were just the AST's link attachment collar initially maybe not being at the right height plus perhaps the wrong orientation as ultraracer13 is saying?
I'm asking because so many people have lowered their cars and yours is the first I've heard of the OEM end links length being a problem. The sway bar is supposed to rotate in the bushings anyway when you go over bumps, so unless it is binding in there somehow I don't get it. I have not been under my car yet to look at mine though. |
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07-14-2014, 09:43 PM | #14 | |
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07-15-2014, 07:06 AM | #15 |
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I think the idea on the mod by TCK is to return the sway bar ends where the bottom end of links attach to a more horizontal/neutral orientation, so the OEM links should be fine. FWIW I don't think anyone using stock links with ordinary konis & eibachs had any problems (eg I don't), just shocks like AST's and some others had different mounting tab orientation, and combined with lowering there was interference. HP will be happy to sell you anything but I am not sure you need it in your case.
The "problem" being fixed by the TCK mod is, briefly, when the car is lowered by say 2", this moves the hub and everything bolted to it up 2" relative to the chassis, including the lower shock body. The sway bar link mounting tab on the shock body is one of those things, and this then pulls on the link and rotates the bar in its mounts up out of horizontal, where it had a better lever arm. Lowering the mounting tab the same amount as the car is dropped then puts the bar ends back to horizontal. Make sense? It is a nice detail mod that you'd not think about unless you do real race car suspensions day in day out like those guys do. Just to make sure you might want to get under the car with the wheels loaded up (on ramps or whatever), and see what is what. |
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07-15-2014, 09:15 AM | #16 | |
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07-15-2014, 09:19 AM | #17 |
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