Front sway bar links with KW-based coilovers

[Chuckable]

Figured I’d share my experience in case it helps anyone in the future. Car is 2017 Toyota 86.

While using KW-based coilovers (KW, ST, RCE) the stock end links may or may not be too long depending upon what front sway bar you run.

In my case, I am running a Perrin 22mm front bar. With this setup the stock end links are too long, resulting in slight contact between the sway bar and control arm halfway between full droop and ride height.


I originally tried Whiteline KLC180-195 end links based on recommendations I found on this forum. These end links moved the sway bar from below to above the control arm which avoids any contact issues with the control arm. However, at full compression the sway bar would just barely contact the chassis in this area.


Even when adjusting these beyond what Whiteline recommends I still had very slight contact with the chassis, like just barely touching the paint. Here’s the clearance at ride height.


So, I researched and found that Whiteline KLC180-215 is a longer version. With this setup, I have plenty of adjustment in the link and have gained about 1/2” in clearance to the chassis, which should be all that is needed. Here’s the clearance at ride height.

Here’s a comparison of all 3 end link lengths.


If you run a different front sway bar then this may not be an issue for you. However, I did notice the problem even with a stock front bar.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[steved]

@Chuckable how much lower are you than stock? I feel like the ride height plays in here as well when trying to determine which length endlink to buy.

[Chuckable]

Definitely it does. I’m about 1” lower than stock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[smg1138]

I'm lowered about 1.25" on RCE Tarmac 2's. Which version would be best for me?

[Chuckable]

Originally Posted by smg1138

I'm lowered about 1.25" on RCE Tarmac 2's. Which version would be best for me?

I hesitate to make a recommendation since I don’t want to be wrong and waste your money, but if you have a Perrin front sway bar then I think the KLC180-215 will work. You won’t have much adjustment in the end link because it will be nearly the right total length.

If you had a stock front bar then I’ve been told that the OEM link will work, but I don’t know if that’s true.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[norcalpb]

I’m wondering if this thread is relayed to the issue I’m hearing. Driving over bumps I’ll hear a clunk sometimes coming from the front crossmember.

I know the Perrin front bar isn’t exactly shaped like the stock one so that could be causing issues, but I also have 1/6 of the crossmember bolts stripped and therefore no bolt is there.

Maybe the extra leverage from the bigger front bar is causing the crossmember brace thing to flex?

[Chuckable]

Any noise I’ve ever heard in that area was a loose end link, though your thought is certainly just as plausible.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[trinidadj]

Hey everyone sorry to revive this thread but I'm having the same issue making contact with the lower control arm.



My set up is RCE tarmac 2's with RCE camber plates at -2.4 and I'm using the stock sway bar. I'm lowered about 1.25" maybe a bit more. Do you think the KLC180-215 will help fix that?



Thanks

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by trinidadj

Hey everyone sorry to revive this thread but I'm having the same issue making contact with the lower control arm.



My set up is RCE tarmac 2's with RCE camber plates at -2.4 and I'm using the stock sway bar. I'm lowered about 1.25" maybe a bit more. Do you think the KLC180-215 will help fix that?



Thanks

I’m running those with T2’s. No hitting on my hoopty.

[Chuckable]

Trinidadj, responded to your PM.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[trinidadj]

Thanks Chuckable and NoHaveMSG, I'm going to post a pic of what it currently looks like maybe that can a give a bit more insight.

[trinidadj]

See link below for pics of my set up


https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14dPwCDo6IPZhwK5CK_ucM_kpbucLGJBO?usp=sharing

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by trinidadj

See link below for pics of my set up


https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14dPwCDo6IPZhwK5CK_ucM_kpbucLGJBO?usp=sharing

An adjustable sway bar link like the Whiteline should take care of it. My setup is very similar, I am running the 22mm Perrin adjustable sway, lowered 1.25 inch from stock, -3.2 camber and mine clears with the whiteline endlink. I had to shorten in most of the way to get it there but it clears by a good amount as you can see from my previous picture.

[trinidadj]

okay thank you so just to confirm you went with the KLC180-210?