Custom endlinks

[mrltd]

Looks like I'm gonna make some custom endlinks to use the spindle mounting points on the newer brake setup. I just purchased a used Addco 1 1/4" front bar with all new hardware. Of course I really need the REAR bar to get the car to do what I want..but oh well it was a good deal. I will be getting the wagon cargo coils soon.

So, I will be using 3/8" hiems (because I have a bunch of 'em) and hopefully it won't break like all the factory ones and a few of the ENS endlinks...The hiems should last for a looong time too. They lasted over 2 years on the daily driver (like 80K miles ) So the few miles I put on the wagon shouldn't wear 'em out too quickly.

I posted over on CVN, and got 1 reply so far....From Duece..LOL

[DuceAnAHalf]

I dont know if a 3/8" heim will be strong enough. A sway bar will put a tremendous load on the heims. Id go with at least a 1/2", but more likely a 5/8"

[mrltd]

That'll be tough to squeeze in there. What's the rating on a 3/8" bolt? I think that's the size on the ENS endlinks...and at least one person snapped them...

The thing is, getting a 1/2" or 5/8" bolt in that spindle won't work unless I drill the thing out. Which isn't that big of a deal I guess-except for the fact I'm drilling a big hole in the spindle...

[DuceAnAHalf]

That'll be tough to squeeze in there. What's the rating on a 3/8" bolt? I think that's the size on the ENS endlinks...and at least one person snapped them...

The thing is, getting a 1/2" or 5/8" bolt in that spindle won't work unless I drill the thing out. Which isn't that big of a deal I guess-except for the fact I'm drilling a big hole in the spindle...

according to Mcmaster the strongest steel 3/8" rod end is rated to 9,550 lbs of static load. If your car without sway bar compresses 2" on one side in a corner thats 2,000#s+ of force that is being applied over a span of under a second, do that a few dozen times on a Auto-x course and you will quickly fatigue it, not to mention if it hits the limit of its movement which can snap one very fast.

Also you can find rod ends with enlarged shanks, so maybe get one that accepts a 3/8" bolt but treads into a 1/2-20 hole

[nitroracer]

Like these: http://forums.probetalk.com/showthread.php?t=1701081946



I have one on the probe because the stock endlinks are made of thin spaghetti and rust apart in three days. Hasnt given me any trouble in the three weeks Ive been running it.

[mrltd]

Was thinking about it on the way home...A female rod end for the spindle side with a bolt that goes through the bar, with some poly bushings. Or I could bolt a tab to the swaybar and do double hiems....

Matt, mazda endlinks suck...I put the stockers back on the front of my protege and it's like the swaybar isn't even connected...I can bend them by hand!