Need new sway bar end links

[BimmerWill]

The end links on my FK silverlines have had it. I'm thinking about replacing them but not sure if I need to go back with FK or if I can get them from a different manufacturer. I know that length is needed to be considered due to the coilover setup but I'm not really sure what a good length would be. I'm pretty unfamiliar with how this component of the suspension is supposed to be so any help or advice as to where I should go from here is appreciated.

[danewilson77]

I think the FK's will take stock endlinks. I'm going oem (Lemforder) with my KW's. See what length you have.

If they appear to be shorter than stock, and adjusteable endlink or an E36 ///M3 endlink should work.

[echo46]

I'm with DW, I would go with Lemforder. However, check the length.

[BimmerWill]

The ones that came with the coilover kit are shorter. It's been so long ago that I dont remember if the stock length would go back on but I don't believe they will due to me lowering the car so much in comparison to stock. I may have to see what options I have with adjustable ones or go with e36 m3 ones.

[zhp43867]

Mason engineering and Turner both make really solid, durable adjustable endlinks. If you go turner, get the more expensive ones.

http://www.masonengineering.net/Subpages/Other_BMW_Products.htm

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3849-turner-motorsport-adjustable-front-sway-bar-end-links-pair.aspx

[BimmerWill]

Mason engineering and Turner both make really solid, durable adjustable endlinks. If you go turner, get the more expensive ones.

http://www.masonengineering.net/Subpages/Other_BMW_Products.htm

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3849-turner-motorsport-adjustable-front-sway-bar-end-links-pair.aspx

Awesome thanks I will take a look at these!

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[danewilson77]

Just so you know...you may still need to go with the e36///M3 adjusteables.

Don't think you can get, the ones for e46 and be done with it.

Def don't go the Mason route. Those have to specially fabricated....and you don't need those.

The endlinks look much shorter in pics than the e46 endlinks. I think you're going to need those speciafied for the e36///M.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=833472

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/5575310577_f75632ce65_b.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/5575309441_5272ec2e5b_b.jpg

[BimmerWill]

Yeah they were much shorter then my stock ones. Ill take a look into the e36 M3 ones when I get a chance. Thanks for the heads up Dane!

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[danewilson77]

Yeah they were much shorter then my stock ones. Ill take a look into the e36 M3 ones when I get a chance. Thanks for the heads up Dane!

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Here.For.You

[BimmerWill]

Okay so I looked up the M3 endlinks for the e46 but it looks like these aren't adjustable.
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E36-M3-S52_3.2L/Suspension/Sway_Bar/ES51073/

So do I need these instead?
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3670-adjustable-sway-bar-link.aspx?utm_source=goog_product&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=31351134582A&gclid=CNj-_qyNmLYCFQGCnQodHkIAdQ

Also FK has them available for cheaper then what I found online for the E36 ones but they are backordered...
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Suspension/Sway_Bar/ES261698/

[danewilson77]

Okay so I looked up the M3 endlinks for the e46 but it looks like these aren't adjustable.
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E36-M3-S52_3.2L/Suspension/Sway_Bar/ES51073/

So do I need these instead?
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3670-adjustable-sway-bar-link.aspx?utm_source=goog_product&utm_medium=feed& utm_campaign=31351134582A&gclid=CNj-_qyNmLYCFQGCnQodHkIAdQ

Also FK has them available for cheaper then what I found online for the E36 ones but they are backordered...
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Suspension/Sway_Bar/ES261698/

1st or 2nd link end links should work.

I would Get Turners to be sure though.

Sent from the HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA and USA

[BimmerWill]

Yikes, all told gonna run $212.73. Think I may have to wait til summer time when I can get some more extra cash handy. Thanks for the help Dane!

[LivesNearCostco]

Just ordered Ground Control adjustable front swaybar links. Much more expensive than Myele HD, but less expensive than the nicer Turner or the Mason Engineering adjustable links. Discovered that with my new Hotchkis swaybar, the stock links work in the softest setting, but putting them in the middle or stiff position angles the back (ends) of the swaybar down enough that they could hit the front control arms. Need something shorter than stock.

[BimmerWill]

Just ordered Ground Control adjustable front swaybar links. Much more expensive than Myele HD, but less expensive than the nicer Turner or the Mason Engineering adjustable links. Discovered that with my new Hotchkis swaybar, the stock links work in the softest setting, but putting them in the middle or stiff position angles the back (ends) of the swaybar down enough that they could hit the front control arms. Need something shorter than stock.

What did the ground control units run you? I have yet to get any myself.

Sent from S4

[LivesNearCostco]

$119 plus tax and shipping. For you, no tax but possibly more shipping. Stock are like $30 each? I think basic Turner are $89 and fancy Turner are around $140?

Very nicely done but require a little more work to install because after you set the length, there are two jamb nuts that must be tightened using two open-end wrenches. You set the length of one side with the car in the air, but you install the other side a bit loose, then lower the car, then adjust it to relieve any pre-load. Then you either raise the front again or turn the wheel and reach around to tighten the jamb nuts on the 2nd side.

[BimmerWill]

I need some that are shorter as my current ones that came with my coilovers were shortened to compensate for the drop in suspension and are kind of crap quality imo.
Is that $119 a piece?
Sent from S4

[LivesNearCostco]

$119 a pair, see http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=677/CA=258
However, since you need shorter than stock, you should contact Ground Control before ordering to explain which coilovers you have, or just tell them how long your current end links are. Otherwise if they send you their standard E46 end links, it actually might not get as short as you want.

[quikryptonite]

If our cars aren't set up with lowered suspension, would it be better to go with the OEM or Meyle HD sway bar links?

Meyle HD (http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/31351095694/ES1843949/)

OEM (http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/31351095694/ES51181/)

[Oli77]

Wonder what BimmerWill ended going with.

[alexandre]

If our cars aren't set up with lowered suspension, would it be better to go with the OEM or Meyle HD sway bar links?

Meyle HD (http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/31351095694/ES1843949/)

OEM (http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/31351095694/ES51181/)

I installed meyle hd last year and they failed in a sea of rust this month. Personnally I'd go with lemfoerder, works well, oem, and proven.


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[Oli77]

Thanks Alex I will do that then.

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[QC_ZHP]

Bumping this. How are the Ground Control links holding up Costco? Leaning towards a buying a set.

[Johal E32]

Im going to get 2008 Impala SS (Chevy) rear sway bar end links to run on the front sway bar of my E46. They are 7 inches long and perfect for low/slammed cars. Not as expensive as adjustable links either. About 40 bucks for the pair, brand new.

[LivesNearCostco]

Holding up great but I've only had them on since about August 2013, or maybe it was September, so they only have 6 track days on them. When you install them you have to make sure the two rod ends are parallel to each other before tightening the locknuts. And in my case if you get the GC hybrid camber plates, there's a little creaking noise transmitted through the camber plates when making big steering movements at very low speeds (like backing out of a parking spot). I don't think you'd hear any of that if you have the GC street camber plates or stock strut mounts.

Cliffs: If you need adjustable front swaybar end links, they're great. If you don't need adjustable, get something else.


Bumping this. How are the Ground Control links holding up Costco? Leaning towards a buying a set.

[QC_ZHP]

Im going to get 2008 Impala SS (Chevy) rear sway bar end links to run on the front sway bar of my E46. They are 7 inches long and perfect for low/slammed cars. Not as expensive as adjustable links either. About 40 bucks for the pair, brand new.

Interesting. Gonna look into this


Holding up great but I've only had them on since about August 2013, or maybe it was September, so they only have 6 track days on them. When you install them you have to make sure the two rod ends are parallel to each other before tightening the locknuts. And in my case if you get the GC hybrid camber plates, there's a little creaking noise transmitted through the camber plates when making big steering movements at very low speeds (like backing out of a parking spot). I don't think you'd hear any of that if you have the GC street camber plates or stock strut mounts.

Cliffs: If you need adjustable front swaybar end links, they're great. If you don't need adjustable, get something else.

I appreciate the info. I'm on coils with Hotchkis sways. Think I probably should, right?

[Johal E32]

Interesting. Gonna look into this





http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=759568

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=842979

http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3978