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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Sway Bars and End Link Lengths



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      09-06-2015, 12:19 AM   #1
sle39lvr
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Sway Bars and End Link Lengths



I've read over and over how sway bars should mount to the subframe and mount to suspension in the SAME HORIZONTAL PLANE. Is this true with our cars?

I have a non-sport E90, which I put FK Coilovers and their front end links started knocking from day 1. I just got HPA adjustable links (which were about 1" longer than FK ones at their shortest) and the difference is amazing. Front suspension now feels tighter and crisper. On highway, the front end seems less bouncy. This is with the stock front sway bar the came with. STILL....end mount of the sway bar is not horizontal with the body mount. Links should extend about 2 more inches; however, I am worried about the end hitting the front arms.

Now I am looking at the rear. I have a M3 sway in the back, yet stock sway bar end links it the car came with. Realoem lists all E9X's having the same rear sway bar links weather its a non sport or a sport or even an M3. STILL....in the back, end mount of the sway bar is not still horizontal with the body mount. Should they be? In order to gain proper performance out of sway bars?

Our suspension guru's would give me some input I hope
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      09-06-2015, 11:10 AM   #2
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On significantly lowered e9x the front sway bar links need to be longer and shorter in the back.
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      09-07-2015, 02:45 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by feuer View Post
On significantly lowered e9x the front sway bar links need to be longer and shorter in the back.
Hmmm...anyone makes shorter ones for the back?
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      09-07-2015, 03:16 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sle39lvr View Post
Hmmm...anyone makes shorter ones for the back?
No one, however you can get adjudtable links and set them to desired lenght.
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      09-07-2015, 03:17 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by feuer View Post
No one, however you can get adjudtable links and set them to desired lenght.
I was hoping some other OEM part from like E46 or F30 may fit..I guess nvm.

So far I found:

HOTCHKIS
https://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/hot...ftsjmd7rvkvt77
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      09-07-2015, 03:21 PM   #6
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AKG Motorsports #STBR9X

http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog...ion%2FBushings

Another option anyway...
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      09-07-2015, 03:24 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justpete View Post
AKG Motorsports #STBR9X

http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog...ion%2FBushings

Another option anyway...

Perfect. Thank you. These look a little cheaper.

I am only about 10mm below M-sport height. I was amazed how the longer front bars fixed the ride. That pogo stick effect on highway. I am hoping rears would do the same....even though I don't have any knocking or play in the rear right now....just a harsher ride.
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      09-07-2015, 03:33 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sle39lvr View Post
Perfect. Thank you. These look a little cheaper.

I am only about 10mm below M-sport height. I was amazed how the longer front bars fixed the ride. That pogo stick effect on highway. I am hoping rears would do the same....even though I don't have any knocking or play in the rear right now....just a harsher ride.
Running them myself with Turner adj endlinks up front. Ride height is 559mm, give or take, with 18" wheels, and ground clearance is about three inches if that helps at all.
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      09-07-2015, 04:46 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justpete View Post
Running them myself with Turner adj endlinks up front. Ride height is 559mm, give or take, with 18" wheels, and ground clearance is about three inches if that helps at all.
How long did u make them? (I believe you are talking about rear ones? )
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      09-07-2015, 04:53 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sle39lvr View Post
How long did u make them? (I believe you are talking about rear ones? )
Sorry, don't remember and the car is at the shop or I'd check. And yes, AKG rear endlinks are on the car.
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      09-07-2015, 05:42 PM   #11
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I'm getting ready to install some KW clubsports and plan on lowering the front about an inch and the rear maybe a half inch (from stock sport height) and will be using the stock sway bars (the front is actually from the BMW PS kit). Are you guys saying I'm going to need adjustable end links for the front and rear? Can I get by with just the fronts since I'm not lowering the rear so much? I currently have Ohlins coils with this same ride height already and I just used the stock end links, did I do it wrong? I haven't noticed any ill effects? Also, since most coilovers are designed to lower the car somewhat, wouldn't they take into consideration the sway bar end link mounting point and adjust it accordingly on the front struts (I can't remember where the rears connect)?

Last edited by nikitino25; 09-07-2015 at 06:16 PM..
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      09-07-2015, 10:54 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nikitino25 View Post
Also, since most coilovers are designed to lower the car somewhat, wouldn't they take into consideration the sway bar end link mounting point and adjust it accordingly on the front struts (I can't remember where the rears connect)?
Well, they didn't and they don't hence the existence of adjustable links. With coilovers, especially if you want to corner weight your car adjustable links are a must.
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      09-07-2015, 10:57 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sle39lvr View Post
How long did u make them? (I believe you are talking about rear ones? )
that is easy, you lower 10mm, you make the front longer 10mm and rear shorter 10mm, or at least close to that.
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      09-08-2015, 12:31 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by feuer View Post
that is easy, you lower 10mm, you make the front longer 10mm and rear shorter 10mm, or at least close to that.
Makes sense
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      09-13-2015, 03:22 AM   #15
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Whats's the proper way to adjust the front end links? My car is on jack two jack stands with the front in the air, can I jack up both hubs to ride height (measured from fender) or must the car be on the ground with full weight on it? How do I know when the sway bar is oriented correctly with no preload to line up the end links? My bar (bmw ps front bar) has all kinds of twists and turns and I don't know how to angle it....using hotchkis adjustable end links...my bar is shaped totally different than the pic in OP's first post...
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      09-13-2015, 11:24 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nikitino25 View Post
Whats's the proper way to adjust the front end links?
You can do it with the car on jack stands or on the floor, is really up to you. If on jack stands you will have to raise at least one hub up to riding height. You only need to measure one side actually. Then just copy the length of the link on the opposite side. Place the sway bar in natural position (the way it sits from factory) raise the hub to riding height, and adjust the length of the link so the ball rod will go into the mounting tubs of the sway bar and the strut with little resistance. Duplicate the length on the link for the other side and you are all set.
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      09-13-2015, 12:21 PM   #17
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I am waiting my rear adjustable end links to come in. Planning of doing a comprehensive post about my findings after that. If the rear changes the way the front did with proper links, I think all of us who lowered out e9X's should look in to this....
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      09-13-2015, 04:27 PM   #18
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Just another option are the Ground Control adjustable rear end links. They are a very high quality piece.
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      05-06-2016, 09:48 AM   #19
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Looks like I will be needing some shorter links. I think im going to get them from turner
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      05-06-2016, 09:49 AM   #20
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One thread left on Bilstein b14 coils. End links are def maxed out and I'm experiencing same symptoms over bumps
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      05-16-2016, 09:40 PM   #21
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WOW. Just installed LONGER front end links (yes the lower you are the longer they need to be) and what a difference. Night and day. My front sway bar is an m3 H&R one so my problems were a little worse due to it being so freaking thick but longer links fixed the issue entirely. No noises, no extra stiffness, not super bouncy anymore, perfect.

If anyone is wondering I got the turner 12.99"-13.58" length (stock is 11.5"). I had to preload my suspension to measure so it was the perfect length when car is just sitting as normal. Because they are now longer I had to preload each side a little bit to get the end links in place, but that wasn't too hard.
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