Sway bar link popped off

[ccallana]

During my recent suspension bushing replacement, I put brand new stock style rear sway bar links in... Had the car aligned a couple weeks back - everything was all good after that - but then after this weekends Autocross training class, I see this behind my left rear wheel - I'm thinking a call into Elephant might be in order

[Alan L]

Is it just held with a rubber bush?
Maybe a heavy duty washer on the outside? And don't drive it so hard :-)
Alan

[ccallana]

I'd rather not add a washer - if the design doesn't work, I don't want to mess with it

I did do a search and looks like I am not alone in this - these Lemforder links seem to have a flaw in their design...

So my options are to go with Porsche versions for almost 10x the cost (Or Uro which look similar to Porsche... but already had bad luck with 1 third party...) - or move to Adjustable links from Elephant or Tarett - with or without a new adjustable sway bar - Elephant or Eibach maybe....

Not sure I really need the Adjustable - seems like if I install that, I'd need a new alignment since it mounts into the Camber hole on the spring plate...

[Jeff Burger]

been quite a while since I played with these but my guess is the two drop links are not the same so they could be installed on the wrong side, upside down or 180 degrees out giving a lot of wrong possibilities. if they are the same that still leaves upside down or backwards. Elephant should be able to tell you . good luck.

[pmax]

Did you feel it ?

[chrismorse]

If you want to really drive the car enthusiastically, an adjustable rear bar really helps.
It helps adjust the oversteer/understeer balance for your particular driving style/wheel/tire/car weight/power balance = move toward easier more comfortable - predictability, controllability. AutoXing is a great way to learn about controllability and make gradual changes, assess their effectiveness, learn and repeat, particularly as you upgrade the car's power.
Heim jointed drop links take almost all of the compliance, (slop) out of the suspension,
at a small increase in NVH.
An adjustable bar lets you get the car balanced, to what feels easy for you.
c

[ccallana]

Originally Posted by pmax

Did you feel it ?

To be honest, we were chucking the car around a lot harder that I usually do at the AX training - so never noticed - I have no idea when it happened - probably on the skidpad though...

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by Jeff Burger

been quite a while since I played with these but my guess is the two drop links are not the same so they could be installed on the wrong side, upside down or 180 degrees out giving a lot of wrong possibilities. if they are they same that still leaves upside down or backwards. Elephant should be able to tell you . good luck.

^^^ I was thinking the same thing.

Are you using the stock sway bar? If not stock, I’m wondering if there’s a length difference that causes the end links to bind or shift and it popped off.

[ccallana]

Totally stock set up - were we careful when making sure the angles were correct - left and right are different for sure - they really only fit one way unless you do some weird gyrations....


Can anyone confirm, if I put in adjustable links, then at least rear alignment needs to be redone since you have to take out the camber bolt to mount the link....

[nickelplated5s]

Go with what Chris said about adjustable links with heim's. Something looks off with the geometry in your photo. If you keep L & R the same your balance shouldn't change. Personally I'd just go with a new setup. Mine, albeit a SWB, is completely different than yours.

[PopsRacer]

fwiw i bought a cheap link originally and it popped off like this (exactly like this…) I replaced it with one by Uro and that has held up fine. They should not come apart (obv), and it’s pretty clear which sides they go on, as you note.

[dedyplay]

Maybe a heavy duty washer on the outside would help but don't drive it in too hard.

[ccallana]

picked up a set of Uro links that have the bushing encased - but things don't align without some serious force...

Is this normal with fixed links?






Looks like previous owner had new mounts welded in - not the cleanest welds I've seen ....

[Alan L]

Did your old one line up OK?
Maybe compare the angles of the URO one with the old one. Are they the same? In which case you probably just have to make it fit. If they are different and the old one fits better, ...........
Alan

[jkkarrow]

Maybe a washer on the outside would help..

[walfreyydo]

Originally Posted by jkkarrow

Maybe a washer on the outside would help..

Suspected bot, trying to build post counts to defraud on used parts marketplace. Keeps posting the same info others post earlier in the thread. Please report

[UROParts]

Hi Ccallana, there was an eye indexing issue with a production run of Sway Bar Links 930 333 071 00 / 930 333 072 00 about six years ago, which was quickly resolved. Looks like you may have received some old stock that was on a shelf somewhere.

Please email "sales at apaindustries dot com" with your order confirmation and details, and we'll be happy to send no-charge warranty replacements. Thanks!

[ccallana]

Email sent!!

Thanks for the info!


Hopefully that is the problem and I can get my sway bar properly reattached.