What end links to get for rear ST swaybar?

[iamsam]

I searched through this forum, but did not find a definitive answer to this question. More specifically, can I use IE front end links on the rear ST bar? (see pic below)



The ST website is pretty dang useless, it doesn't even list a swaybar kit for an E30, so I couldn't find a good picture of the ST rear end links.

Found the rear end links on TMS:



The whole kit is $93, but I just need the end links. It is also hard to tell from the above picture hoe exactly it all goes together, as far as how it bolts the the swaybar, the bolt must run through the spherical ball joint and then through a sleeve and then through the bar. However, the fixed "nut" on the IE one looks like it will act like the sleeve in the ST kit.

My ST end links clack like CRAZY, the spherical joints have TONS of play in them and make an immense amount of noise. Do these IE ones bolt right up? They look like a very similar design.

Thanks guys.

[Gooch]

I can't say with 100% certainty, but it seems like they'd work fine. They look similar to what I have in the rear with my ST sways.

[TimR]

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-35...-3-series.aspx My rear ST links look about 1 " longer than the IE in your pic. They look long in the pic at Turner too. Someone should know if they will work

[iamsam]

Updated the first post w/ ST pic and short analysis. Thanks Tim, for pointing out the TMS kit.

Colorado Cabrio actually misses you in the Mountain section, man! ;)

Also, how does the length of the end link affect swaybar performance? I am not sure what the angle is between the end link and swaybar arm as my car sits currently at static ride height...

[Bimmerman325i]

The link length affects bar preload. Ideally you want the bar to be level with the ground (car on ground obv, not in air), and adjust the endlinks so that the bar is parallel to level ground without any force applied to the bar. If the IE front ones are shorter, I don't know if they'd work.

You can easily make your own too, just go to McGucks and get the turnbuckles.

Other places to look/call: Ground Control, Bimmerworld, VAC.

Alternatively, stock endlinks I'm sure would work.

[iamsam]

The link length affects bar preload. Ideally you want the bar to be level with the ground (car on ground obv, not in air), and adjust the endlinks so that the bar is parallel to level ground without any force applied to the bar. If the IE front ones are shorter, I don't know if they'd work.

You can easily make your own too, just go to McGucks and get the turnbuckles.

Other places to look/call: Ground Control, Bimmerworld, VAC.

Alternatively, stock endlinks I'm sure would work.

Yeah i'll have to see if I can shove my head under the car w/out jacking it up, and take measurements.

Also, stock endlinks are a completely different design, and not compatible at all w/ aftermarket swaybars.

McGucks may be the place to go, too...

[TimR]

Sorry, still in the doghouse, you could build up the stock mount an 1" and use fronts, find 4" rears, take stock ones, drill out rubber bushings, install urethane bushings, $15

[TimR]

http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7...ends/index.htm http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7...=1306461134/** http%3a//www.trackdogracing.com/website/suspension/swayars_endlinks.htm SORRY ONLY COMPLETE ONES JUST DONT TELL WHERE YOU GOT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[iamsam]

http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7...ends/index.htm http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7...=1306461134/** http%3a//www.trackdogracing.com/website/suspension/swayars_endlinks.htm SORRY ONLY COMPLETE ONES JUST DONT TELL WHERE YOU GOT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

None of your links work.

[SkinnyVT]

The link length affects bar preload.

This is false, link length has nothing to do with preload on the bar. The difference in length between the right and left endlink is what creates preload.

[TimR]

Try first one, just worked for me, and last one, last you might have to type in, sorry, still a computer dummy unless its appraisal software http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/Kit258 then type in heim they got a bunch cheeeep

[jlevie]

If you call ST or one of their re-sellers you should be able to get replacement links. I have no idea if IE or some other link would work.

[iamsam]

Yes, I can get a replacement kit for ST at TMS for $93, but if the $55 kit from IE works, I'd rather get that.

[iamsam]

Update

So I bought end links from mcmaster, since I couldn't argue w/ the price ($5 a piece) and I put them in today, and seem to be pretty decent quality. No play whatsoever. I will see what time tells though, and see how they hold up.

This is the part I got: http://www.mcmaster.com/#2458k341/=ckwlmh

[Gooch]

I didn't realize you were looking for just the rod ends and not the entire rear links. Although it seems like you edited your post and may have specified after my response.

When I have to replace my rod ends I'm going with aurora.

http://www.aurorabearing.com/