I'm installing some new "heavy duty" swaybar links

[BigKriss]

I got them from a group buy over on mye28.com (http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=15908) recently. I can only do the front ones becasue the rear ones are for an aftermarket swaybar (the mounting holes) and I'm still running the stock 15mm item. They are adjustable, I haven't installed them yet, it took a long time to remove the stock links - the upper nut that attaches to the strut was hard to remove. They were usd$90 delivered for front and rear and the seller Ely has been extremely helpful. Actually shipping was basically free becasue I know it cost him usd$20 to send them to me, but he didn't charge me anything for it :) I'm on a lunch break now and when they are installed I'll put some more pics up.

Here are some pics;

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/1962/pict000119rj.jpg
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/8558/pict000212sy.jpg
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3515/pict000319ld.jpg
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/8674/pict000415ot.jpg

[Alexlind123]

wow, those look really sturdy in comparison to the OEM links. I always thought the factory links looked a bit spindly. Be sure to tell us how they work!

[BigKriss]

Well I finally had them installed and now they keep on clunking on me. this really gets me annoyed. I made certain that they are on tight, especially the nut on the strut. I torqued them under load the first time and took the car for a drive, clunk, clunk clunk I then reinstalled them to a shorter length but didn't torque the nuts under load and they are still clunking. I'm thinking the threads on the swaybar links are a bit smaller than stock, and this is causing the noise as the car moves around. Stock uses 17mm nuts while the aftermarket ones use 14mm nuts. I want to use them, but I won't be putting up with the noise.

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/5488/pict00082tz.jpg

Edit: The front swaybar links are common across many cars including the e28 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?part=31351134582&showeur=on). I don't know why its clunking.

cool. no worries - I got the 2nd length ones about 1,3" drop on my springs, the clunking was not there with the stock swaybar links. the mounts are fine also.

I tried adjusting them to almost full length to start off with, but the swaybar seemed too low to the ground, not much clearence so the second time I installed them, I made them as short as possible. I'm pretty sure the adjusters are tight.

hmm. I will do some more checking tommorrow.

[rs4pro3]

Hum this is odd, Your the first person to have the clunking issue, I wonder if the bar is hitting something in the suspension. I have these links on my daily driver e30, and a friend is running them every day on an E28, plus all the ones I've sold on mye28.com
Please let me know if you find the issue and I'll help you correct it as the clunking isn't acceptable and shouldn't be happening.

Well I finally had them installed and now they keep on clunking on me. this really gets me annoyed. I made certain that they are on tight, especially the nut on the strut. I torqued them under load the first time and took the car for a drive, clunk, clunk clunk I then reinstalled them to a shorter length but didn't torque the nuts under load and they are still clunking. I'm thinking the threads on the swaybar links are a bit smaller than stock, and this is causing the noise as the car moves around. Stock uses 17mm nuts while the aftermarket ones use 14mm nuts. I want to use them, but I won't be putting up with the noise.

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/5488/pict00082tz.jpg

Edit: The front swaybar links are common across many cars including the e28 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?part=31351134582&showeur=on). I don't know why its clunking.

cool. no worries - I got the 2nd length ones about 1,3" drop on my springs, the clunking was not there with the stock swaybar links. the mounts are fine also.

I tried adjusting them to almost full length to start off with, but the swaybar seemed too low to the ground, not much clearence so the second time I installed them, I made them as short as possible. I'm pretty sure the adjusters are tight.

hmm. I will do some more checking tommorrow.

[632 Regal]

Kriss, those look to be a bit longer than the stockers. check for interferance when the car is up on ramps, it mat be hitting something. Also if they are real tight they shouldnt be moving around in the swaybar.

[rs4pro3]

Ya they are designed to be longer then stock. When you lower the car, the way the bar mounts it pulls the end of the bar upward, Here is an extreme example on my e30 http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/4/5/1/PICT0002.JPG

The longer link pushed the bar back down. I'm thinking the links are hitting something also, On my car when I jack it up the link hits the control arm but never does under driving.

[genphreak]

Ya they are designed to be longer then stock. When you lower the car, the way the bar mounts it pulls the end of the bar upward, Here is an extreme example on my e30 The longer link pushed the bar back down. I'm thinking the links are hitting something also, On my car when I jack it up the link hits the control arm but never does under driving. THe threads are the same diameter are they not regardless of the nut size? Perhaps the larger (stock) nut gives it more purchase on the mount and stops movement between the thread to mounting. I suggest using a large flat washer in any suspicious areas, but it doesn;t sound right to me, what a weird issue. I doubt it is hitting something unless its in the swaybar mounts (perhaps now they are twisting differently and exhibiting a noise somehow. Weird! :( bad luck Kriss, what a PITA!

[Brandon J]

Yup, that can happen with these type of swaybar links. I do recommend them if you are going to do track driving because they won't break off like stock lnks can. They are durable, but they are not designed for noise comfort. The clunking you are hearing is probably from the play in the bearing. I have researched many many types of rod ends for this type of set-up and there are nylon, teflon and metal. Nylon is the weakest, Teflon lasts longer and can withstand more load, the metal is very durable, but needs to be constantly lubricated. They can all withstand the load of the sways and then some, but nobody guarantees the amount of play in them. I would go under neath the car and check for bearing race play especially since you said that the thread is on there tight.


Well I finally had them installed and now they keep on clunking on me. this really gets me annoyed. I made certain that they are on tight, especially the nut on the strut. I torqued them under load the first time and took the car for a drive, clunk, clunk clunk I then reinstalled them to a shorter length but didn't torque the nuts under load and they are still clunking. I'm thinking the threads on the swaybar links are a bit smaller than stock, and this is causing the noise as the car moves around. Stock uses 17mm nuts while the aftermarket ones use 14mm nuts. I want to use them, but I won't be putting up with the noise.



Edit: The front swaybar links are common across many cars including the e28 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?part=31351134582&showeur=on). I don't know why its clunking.

cool. no worries - I got the 2nd length ones about 1,3" drop on my springs, the clunking was not there with the stock swaybar links. the mounts are fine also.

I tried adjusting them to almost full length to start off with, but the swaybar seemed too low to the ground, not much clearence so the second time I installed them, I made them as short as possible. I'm pretty sure the adjusters are tight.

hmm. I will do some more checking tommorrow.

[rs4pro3]

I recomended for him to try some washers so we'll see if that fixes the problem or not, the ones for his E34 are the first I've done(front links are the same as E28 but rear's are different).

[rs4pro3]

The threads are the same diameter are they not regardless of the nut size?
Ya they are very close to the same diameter of the factory ones.

[BigKriss]

I removed my front swaybar and relubed the bushes - they needed it done. The swaybar wouldn't move easily otherwise. I removed the stock links again and installed these heavy duty items. I put them on the shortest length possible. Other than that they seem to close to the ground. The front swaybar is only 4" from the ground now. I didn't tighten them up under load. I took the car for a spin and it's fine now. No clunking - nothing. I think there is more vehicle harshness over bumps, I still have to do some more driving to reaffirm this. The swaybar is in the firmest position. I installed two washers were the link attaches to the strut and one on the wheel side of the swaybar link.

[genphreak]

...the front swaybar is only 4" from the ground now. I didn't tighten them up under load. I took the car for a spin and it's fine now. No clunking - nothing. I think there is more vehicle harshness over bumps, I still have to do some more driving to reaffirm this. The swaybar is in the firmest position. I installed two washers were the link attaches to the strut and one on the wheel side of the swaybar link.Freaking hey.... well done Kriss, persistence pays... what a pita!

[Zeuk in Oz]

I still have to do some more driving to reaffirm this.
Look out general public - Kristian is driving at the limit again ! :D

Well done with the mods ! :)

[Jon K]

dude the clunking is normal with that kind of joint... thats a spherical ball joint with what looks to be no grease. Thats just like when you get control arms with those joints, they clunk to high heavens. Dont be surprised if they start clunking again.