Front sway bar links - Weak point or coincidence?

Technical and Repair Discussions
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:44 am
While going over the car this weekend (among other thing$) I noticed that both front sway bar end links (vertical rods from sway bar to suspension teeter-totter) are bent. They were both bent about 20 degrees on the lower ends, right at the heim joint. Is this a common issue or perhaps it was one hard hit that bent both? Do I replace the whole rod, or just the threaded end?

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 11:08 am
The heim end usually bend as a result of a suspension hard hit/accident. They are the weak link in the system. All you need to do is replace the bent rod end.
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 11:48 am
I replaced mine a couple years ago and I have a vague memory of being told to bend them on purpose to reduce binding due to the angle of the link. I can't remember whether that came from my CSR or from some other trustworthy source. I also can't remember the reason that the link angle was more severe than it was when the suspension was designed: ride height, softer bar settings since Goodyear tires, or what?

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Last edited by Ed Cavalier on Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:04 pm
Ed Cavalier wrote:I replaced mine a couple years ago and I have a vague memory of being told to bend them on purpose to reduce binding due to the angle of the link. I can't remember whether that came from my CSR or from some other trustworthy source. I also can't remember the reason that the link angle was more severe than it was when the suspension was designed: ride height, softer bar settings since Goodyear tires, or what?

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That is helpful. I'll definitely speak with the CSR. Dammit if I busted all my knuckles getting them off last night only to have to put them back on!!! And yes, I did straighten one out, so I'll have to bend it again!?! Metal fatigue 101.

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 3:16 pm
we bend them about 20 degrees at the upper end for the reason Ed said. I can't imagine why yours are bent at the bottom unless someone flipped them over.
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 4:33 pm
Thx. I am self-impressed that I guessed 20 degrees by eye. And that will come in handy when I re-bend it tonight. I will put them in the correct way.
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:09 pm
:roll: That doesn't sound very "spec" to me.
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:30 pm
dave wrote::roll: That doesn't sound very "spec" to me.


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