Snapped End Link

Jagtem · 03-27-2019, 11:56 PM

Hi all,

I recently picked up a 2006 330i with sport suspension. I'm in the process of going through it and refreshing it. I knew the car at least needed some tires and an alignment, but it still drove relatively well.

Going around a corner the other day, I felt/heard a *clang* from the suspension and the traction control indicator lit up briefly. I cautiously drove the car home and pulled the wheels off. I found the passenger side sway bar end link snapped in half (see photo below).

The interesting thing is that this was on the inside/unloaded side of the car when it broke around that corner. The other side was fine, but I've removed it for now. I've ordered and received a complete M3 control arm kit from FCP, along with new tie rods and end links. I will probably have a shop go through and replace everything, but I don't want this to happen again. The front sway bar seems to be very stiff and I can't move it much by hand when the car is in the air. Should it move/rotate relatively freely? Any ideas on additional things to check? Or just install all the new suspension, get an alignment and cross my fingers?

weehe126 · 03-28-2019, 10:06 AM

I'm going to guess they jumped a curb and bent it, but it didn't break. Just so happened to break when it did. Definitely not normal.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 04-09-2019, 08:23 PM

This happened to my friend, but not like that. His was sheared off at the head because the shop used a really cheap and shitty end link.

Jagtem · 04-09-2019, 11:16 PM

Hmm. Well, I'm still waiting to install my M3 control arm package. I've decided I'm also going to replace all the shocks/struts/mounts while I'm in there, so it will basically be a complete suspension refresh. Hoping after a good alignment I don't have any issues. Otherwise, well at least I've got the FCP warranty if this should happen again.

03-27-2019, 11:56 PM	#1
Jagtem Private 26 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 2006 330i / 2004 F150 /2009 R1 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Snapped End Link - Happen To Anybody Else? Hi all, I recently picked up a 2006 330i with sport suspension. I'm in the process of going through it and refreshing it. I knew the car at least needed some tires and an alignment, but it still drove relatively well. Going around a corner the other day, I felt/heard a clang from the suspension and the traction control indicator lit up briefly. I cautiously drove the car home and pulled the wheels off. I found the passenger side sway bar end link snapped in half (see photo below). The interesting thing is that this was on the inside/unloaded side of the car when it broke around that corner. The other side was fine, but I've removed it for now. I've ordered and received a complete M3 control arm kit from FCP, along with new tie rods and end links. I will probably have a shop go through and replace everything, but I don't want this to happen again. The front sway bar seems to be very stiff and I can't move it much by hand when the car is in the air. Should it move/rotate relatively freely? Any ideas on additional things to check? Or just install all the new suspension, get an alignment and cross my fingers?
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03-28-2019, 10:06 AM	#2
weehe126 Brigadier General 1189 Rep 3,228 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	I'm going to guess they jumped a curb and bent it, but it didn't break. Just so happened to break when it did. Definitely not normal.
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04-09-2019, 08:23 PM	#3
Welcome to NBA Jam Is it the shoes!? 3893 Rep 5,111 Posts Drives: (Sold) 2011 E92 335i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	This happened to my friend, but not like that. His was sheared off at the head because the shop used a really cheap and shitty end link.
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04-09-2019, 11:16 PM	#4
Jagtem Private 26 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 2006 330i / 2004 F150 /2009 R1 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Hmm. Well, I'm still waiting to install my M3 control arm package. I've decided I'm also going to replace all the shocks/struts/mounts while I'm in there, so it will basically be a complete suspension refresh. Hoping after a good alignment I don't have any issues. Otherwise, well at least I've got the FCP warranty if this should happen again.
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