Endlinks Too short?
 

Is it possible to have adjustable end links too short?

I noticed after adding the whiteline adjustable endlinks that the car has more direct steering and is more prone to oversteer and I'm thinking this is because end links are binding? No noise from the front and everything feels smooth, just more oversteer.

Thanks!

114 views and no replies...I guess what I'm asking is it possible to have the end links too short that would cause a performance decrease? I have Koni inserts in the front which are the same height as stock.

I'd post the question here:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45554

I do believe it's possible to have them installed in a way that creates a bind not allowing the swaybar (I assume that's what these endlinks are attached to) to move freely which could reduce grip. However for that to result in oversteer would mean they were installed in the back, sounds like they were put in the front? I'm no guru, @Racecomp Engineering is.

It is possible to preload the swaybar. Ideally the endlinks should be at the length where they just line up with the holes in the bar at normal ride height (i.e. installed with the suspension loaded).

- Andrew

If you adjusted the endlinks to be shorter than stock when you installed them, yes, especially if you are at stock ride height.

-alex

Well the thing is the I was able to get the end links to fit in with no preload and with the car on the ground. I was able to fit shorter end links by rotating the sway bar arm (with the holes on it) closer to the shock so they would fit.

No ones done this before so that's why im wondering if it's bad.

I autocrossed yesterday and it actually under steered much harder when I overdrove the car but seemed to feel very controllable at the limits.

I'm on RCE Tarmac springs and Koni inserts so I'm probably about 1" dropped.

I've gathered from my thinking that since the front struts have the stock housing the distance between the struts and sway bar probably EXPANDED because the sway bar is in a static area and the struts are closer to the strut tower because the springs have 1" more compression than stock.

Have you had an alignment since lowering the car?

Got any pictures of your install?

- Andrew

So I just installed RCE Yellow springs on to the stock struts and also installed the Whiteline adjustable endlinks with the stock sway bars. I'm getting a clunking sound on the front right side when going over bumps and while braking.

I have the endlinks at the shortest setting right now and I think they may be too short and hitting the strut since the ride height is only about .5" lower while the endlinks are at least an inch shorter than stock. They barely clear the strut when I have the front jacked up and the suspension is unloaded.

If I lengthen the end links do I need to add a extra nut to secure the threads? I ask because the links don't seem very stable when the threads are extended even a little bit.

I'm not familiar with these particular links but they should have some kind of jam nut to keep them in place. The wobble you feel is just the slop in the threads(a necessary feature of mating parts). If you are worried about it being loose, run out the endlinks to see how much thread you have. I imagine you need a minimum of 1/2 of thread screwed into the body if the endlink per side to be safe. You can check your undercarriage for marks where the sway bar may be hitting. Even without any marks, it could be the endlinks binding up when the ball joint maxes out and then deloads. This will clunk. My stock rear endlinks did this when I got new sway bars. Fixed with adjustable endlinks on their shortest setting(this was the rear, remember)

Edit: Sorry, I read the post above this and thought it was the OP. I dunno how to help him lol