END LINKS

[nodemon]

This may be premature because I don't have pictures(yet) to show with this question, but some of you may know... I purchased a front suspension kit a couple years ago. I'm just now tearing mine down and I instantly noticed that my factory end links look CONSIDERABLY shorter that the new ones. I thought maybe it was a mistake so I went to the auto parts store to buy some and they brought out the same link..a much longer link than the factory one. Am I just crazy and over looking something..? I can post photos later if needed.

 

[Professor Fate]

What vehicle?

 

[Dana67Dart]

End links?

Are you talking tie rod ends?

Or

The rubber bushing on the strut rod?

 

[72bluNblu]

Probably the sway bar end links, but yeah a picture and year/model would be super helpful

 

[Scody21]

Or the roll bar end links

 

[nodemon]

What vehicle?

72 Demon

 

[nodemon]

End links?

Are you talking tie rod ends?

Or

The rubber bushing on the strut rod?

Sway Bar links

 

[nodemon]

Probably the sway bar end links, but yeah a picture and year/model would be super helpful

Yep, sway bar links. 72 Demon

 

[72bluNblu]

Yep, sway bar links. 72 Demon

Are the end links more like a bolt with a sleeve? A lot of the aftermarket kits will have a long bolt for the end link with a sleeve, the intent is you cut the sleeve down to the length you need, then cut the extra threads off of the bolt. Depends on the kit, some come with multiple length sleeves, with the bolt having some length of shoulder but generally a ton of threads. That way you can make the end link the right length to make the outer leg of the sway bar parallel to the ground for your car, ride height, etc

 

[nodemon]

Are the end links more like a bolt with a sleeve? A lot of the aftermarket kits will have a long bolt for the end link with a sleeve, the intent is you cut the sleeve down to the length you need, then cut the extra threads off of the bolt. Depends on the kit, some come with multiple length sleeves, with the bolt having some length of shoulder but generally a ton of threads. That way you can make the end link the right length to make the outer leg of the sway bar parallel to the ground for your car, ride height, etc

Thanks for that info..and with your explanation it makes sense. My kit only came with one "long" sleeve..
Can I ask, if you know, how critical it is for the sleeve length to be "right".. Meaning, is there a tolerance...or does it need to be perfect..?

 

[WymanV]

I'm just now tearing mine down and I instantly noticed that my factory end links look CONSIDERABLY shorter that the new ones.

If you still have the factory links just use those for your measurements.

 

[72bluNblu]

Thanks for that info..and with your explanation it makes sense. My kit only came with one "long" sleeve..
Can I ask, if you know, how critical it is for the sleeve length to be "right".. Meaning, is there a tolerance...or does it need to be perfect..?View attachment 1716256206

It really doesn't look like they sent the right stuff.

The goal is to have the sway bar arms parallel to the ground when the car is at ride height. They don't have to be perfect, but the closer the sway bar arms are to parallel the more efficient the bar will be. A small difference isn't a big deal, so the end link length is by no means super critical.

 

[nodemon]

It really doesn't look like they sent the right stuff.

The goal is to have the sway bar arms parallel to the ground when the car is at ride height. They don't have to be perfect, but the closer the sway bar arms are to parallel the more efficient the bar will be. A small difference isn't a big deal, so the end link length is by no means super critical.

I at first thought it was wrong too... but I ordered in a set from Moog and they were the same in my kit.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Here are photos and dimensions from my 67 Dart OEM link and the part number of the OEM repo links installed.

If your OEM sway bar has these type of mounts to the frame

and looks like this

the links are probably the same as 67.

Approximate center between bushings 4.5"

Washer to washer 3"

Pretty sure I got them from Classic Ind

 

[Demonic]

The factory bushings smush down quite a bit over time. I've had to squeeze and hold the new ones with a welding clamp during install to get the nuts started.

 

[nodemon]

It really doesn't look like they sent the right stuff.

The goal is to have the sway bar arms parallel to the ground when the car is at ride height. They don't have to be perfect, but the closer the sway bar arms are to parallel the more efficient the bar will be. A small difference isn't a big deal, so the end link length is by no means super critical.

I at first thought it was wrong too... but I ordered in a set from Moog and they were the same in my kit.

Here are photos and dimensions from my 67 Dart OEM link and the part number of the OEM repo links installed.

If your OEM sway bar has these type of mounts to the frame
View attachment 1716256394

and looks like this
View attachment 1716256393

the links are probably the same as 67.

Approximate center between bushings 4.5"
View attachment 1716256390

Washer to washer 3"
View attachment 1716256391

Pretty sure I got them from Classic Ind
View attachment 1716256392

Thanks for your response and pix.

 

[72bluNblu]

I at first thought it was wrong too... but I ordered in a set from Moog and they were the same in my kit.

Thanks for your response and pix.

Just because that's what moog sent doesn't make it right. Moog is a hot mess and has been for at least a decade now, getting worse all the time. I think nowadays you're more likely to get a part from Moog that doesn't fit than actually get something that fits properly.

The end links that @Dana67Dart posted are much closer to what they should look like, that's what you should get with a stock rebuild kit for a factory bar. A bolt in replacement that doesn't require sizing.

And to be clear, I'm not opposed to the bolt/sleeve set up, I run exactly that on my Duster. It's pretty common with aftermarket sway bar set ups where you actually need to tune the length of the end link depending on the car and its equipment, but even then you typically get 2 bolts and 2 sleeves that are at least close to the appropriate length without any cutting.

 

[GUMM B]

Dumb question: Are my sway bar end links supposed to be bent like this?

 

[nodemon]

Dumb question: Are my sway bar end links supposed to be bent like this?

View attachment 1716368395

View attachment 1716368396

I don't believe so.

 

[72bluNblu]

Dumb question: Are my sway bar end links supposed to be bent like this?

View attachment 1716368395

View attachment 1716368396

Nope, those were straight before their end link duty.

 

[str12-340]

replace with straight new grade 8 bolts?

 

[GUMM B]

Yeah, I really don't see the difference. Are the cup washers and sleeves worth selling? I'm actually going with a custom front end.

 

[RustyRatRod]

It's very common for end links to be incorrect length on some of these budget sway bar kits. I had to get different link kits for my Addco front bar. Their bars are good quality, but the installation kits are lacking. Like @72bluNblu said, as long as the bar is parallel to the ground....or close with the vehicle on the ground, you're good.