How long to set adjustable end links?
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From: San Jose CA
How long to set adjustable end links?
I got a set of the adjustable heim end links with Addco sway bars, which come with virtually no useful instructions. How long do I need to set the end links to be sure I have no preload and minimal noise? Just long enough that the bolts are roughly perpendicular? Or some other length? Thanks!
Safety Car
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I got a set of the adjustable heim end links with Addco sway bars, which come with virtually no useful instructions. How long do I need to set the end links to be sure I have no preload and minimal noise? Just long enough that the bolts are roughly perpendicular? Or some other length? Thanks!
Thread Starter
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From: San Jose CA
How do tell how much preload there is? Seems I can rotate the bar any amount and adjust the end link length to that.... No tightness in any position. Both link lengths need to be exactly the same, right?
Safety Car
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Why are you using the adjustable links?
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From: San Jose CA
You're saying if there is no preload I should be able to push the bar by hand and have it rotate? With the stock links attached, I can't budge it by hand at all.
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I tried the stock links, but I get a fair bit of noise, and seems like the bar is able to move a bit side to side (clunking sounds). Seems like I need to use a different length, hence using the adjustable ones.
You're saying if there is no preload I should be able to push the bar by hand and have it rotate? With the stock links attached, I can't budge it by hand at all.
You're saying if there is no preload I should be able to push the bar by hand and have it rotate? With the stock links attached, I can't budge it by hand at all.
With the car on the ground adjust until it it pulls the bar snug but not loading on the bar. I dont know what else to say. Thats all there is to it.
Last edited by C6400hp; Jun 20, 2008 at 08:02 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: San Jose CA
Thanks for the replies.
Sorry if I wasn't clear--I am getting the clunking with the stock end links--the adjustables haven't gone on yet, I was hoping I could get away with just the stock links. I'm using the 35mm Addco sway. The sounds I hear are quite metal-on-metal. Guess the bar is too strong and broke the links, maybe? Or it's because they are not the right length for this swaybar and thus cause preloading? It's quite heavy, 25 lbs vs 12 lbs Z51 front.
Sorry if I wasn't clear--I am getting the clunking with the stock end links--the adjustables haven't gone on yet, I was hoping I could get away with just the stock links. I'm using the 35mm Addco sway. The sounds I hear are quite metal-on-metal. Guess the bar is too strong and broke the links, maybe? Or it's because they are not the right length for this swaybar and thus cause preloading? It's quite heavy, 25 lbs vs 12 lbs Z51 front.
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What do you mean by preload? Sway bars are not preloaded- they should be free to rotate without the end links connected. With the car sitting level, the end links should be adjusted to put the sway bar about in the center of it's travel. Do this using one link, then adjust the other one so there is no torsion on the bar when all the fittings are tightened up.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 49
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From: San Jose CA
What do you mean by preload? Sway bars are not preloaded- they should be free to rotate without the end links connected. With the car sitting level, the end links should be adjusted to put the sway bar about in the center of it's travel. Do this using one link, then adjust the other one so there is no torsion on the bar when all the fittings are tightened up.
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Your end links should be the last thing adjusted.
Tire pressure is set first, then alignment, then scale (with sway bars un-hooked), lastly while the car is still on the scale pad the links are adjusted so that you have no pre-load on the bar.
Typically I will do this, so that the attachment bolt is free to move in and out with out having to force the end link to hook up.
Tire pressure is set first, then alignment, then scale (with sway bars un-hooked), lastly while the car is still on the scale pad the links are adjusted so that you have no pre-load on the bar.
Typically I will do this, so that the attachment bolt is free to move in and out with out having to force the end link to hook up.
