Sway bars, stabilizer bars, whatever...

[bwanac]

Another question regarding differences in models, but a technical one. :?:

On my normal eta, an 87' 325, i have the stock sway bars. Now on the 325es parts car I know the suspension is a little stiffer and "better," so the question I pose is: what are the diameters of the stock sway bars for a baseline eta and for a sports model eta?

If anyone knows that would be helpful bc I may decide to put the sway bars on my car, if they are a little stiffer. Free upgrades from a parts car are always nice. Once I go full out on my suspension I will buy m3 sway bars or the like. ;)

[Ryan Stewart]

s cars just got different springs, same sways.

[bwanac]

you positvie on that one? the only reason i have doubt is bc in fred's write-up on the differences between models he mentioned that 's' cars have stiffer sways. both of you are credible sources so i dont know who to believe!

[Ryan Stewart]

the M got a thicker rear bar, and a thinner front bar. Other than that there was just a standard bar, but sorry, I dont know the thicknesses. I didnt measure my old ones, just threw them away.

[chrisd]

remember with the m swaybars, there is a bunch of welding to do too- so do it at the same time as a grournd control coilover install...
The mounting points are different.

[Ryan Stewart]

I would like to do this actually. I has to help to take the the stress off that outer ball joint on the control arm.

[trent]

I would like to do this actually. I has to help to take the the stress off that outer ball joint on the control arm.

huh?

[Bill 84 318i]

I would like to do this actually. I has to help to take the the stress off that outer ball joint on the control arm.

Yeah, that wouldn't happen.

[Ryan Stewart]

the M swaybar setup. Where the pickup is directly on the strut. I dont know the official name but that ball joint that connects the CA to the strut. Its gotta have some play in it, and the up down pushing pulling cant help it at all. Plus that play may affect how the sway works.

I know its marginal but still...

[Bill 84 318i]

Even if the swaybar does put that much stress on it (which I don't see being much relative to the movement the road inflicts), there will still be stress from the M swaybar pickup point.

[EVOIIIM3]

the M swaybar setup. Where the pickup is directly on the strut. I dont know the official name but that ball joint that connects the CA to the strut. Its gotta have some play in it, and the up down pushing pulling cant help it at all. Plus that play may affect how the sway works.

I know its marginal but still...

Note, red rods, that is the sway bar link....





They are GC sway bar links and GC coil overs with the stock perch cut off.
If you want beefy stock bars, get the M3 rear and 325ic front. Those are the stiffest stock bars. However, I don't really like SB, they stop the suspension from working, so do springs and shocks first, if you still have to much roll, then adjust the bars.

[Bill 84 318i]

The front M3 bar is actually smaller than regular non-M front bars. 19mm (as opposed to 20, I think).

[Ryan Stewart]

[derek w]

[EVOIIIM3]