2nd Generation Specific 1986-1992 Discussion

Sway Bar End Links

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Old May 13, 2004 | 11:20 AM
  #1  
donhayes's Avatar
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From: El Paso, TX
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My sway bar end links are shot. I have mazdatrix replacement end links and i want to know if there is any special way to replace them or do i just unbolt the old ones and put the new ones on? Is it a pretty painfree process because so far almost everything i've done on my car has hurt a lot. The only easy mod i've done is the strut tower brace. Thanks for you input.
Old May 13, 2004 | 11:27 AM
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I am guessing you have the adjustable endlinks now?



They are very simple to replace. One benefit of the adjustable endlinks is being able to preload them. I ad a friend adjust mine while I sat in my car.
Old May 13, 2004 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Jims5543' date='May 13 2004, 08:27 AM
I am guessing you have the adjustable endlinks now?



They are very simple to replace. One benefit of the adjustable endlinks is being able to preload them. I ad a friend adjust mine while I sat in my car.
I always wondered about that preload. Is it a noticeable difference in feel and responce?
Old May 13, 2004 | 12:39 PM
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Easy way - adjust links to same dimensions and slap them on.

Hard way - adjust links to "0" load with car at driving weight.



I could never understand the reason for "pre-loading".

Maybe someone can tell me how it works?

If you tension the bar one way, then it'll "work against" turning one way but work "with" turning the other - I could never understand how this would work?

Is there an advantage for having such a stagger?





-Ted
Old May 13, 2004 | 01:28 PM
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donhayes's Avatar
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to adjust them you just sit in the car while the other person twists the bolt? Am i hearing this right? Or is there a way to just put them in a standard postion and put them on?
Old May 13, 2004 | 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by RETed' date='May 13 2004, 09:39 AM
Easy way - adjust links to same dimensions and slap them on.

Hard way - adjust links to "0" load with car at driving weight.



I could never understand the reason for "pre-loading".

Maybe someone can tell me how it works?

If you tension the bar one way, then it'll "work against" turning one way but work "with" turning the other - I could never understand how this would work?

Is there an advantage for having such a stagger?





-Ted
possibly for circle tracks and such??



For a street car I've always set mine to neutral with someone in the passenger seat. I see no reason to pre-load for something other than a race car. Unless possibly you could pre-load each side equally to stiffen up the chassis even more, but you'd have to do it in the rear as well to avoid throwing off the balance of the car.
Old May 13, 2004 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by RETed' date='May 13 2004, 12:39 PM
Easy way - adjust links to same dimensions and slap them on.

Hard way - adjust links to "0" load with car at driving weight.



I could never understand the reason for "pre-loading".

Maybe someone can tell me how it works?

If you tension the bar one way, then it'll "work against" turning one way but work "with" turning the other - I could never understand how this would work?

Is there an advantage for having such a stagger?





-Ted
I've always wondered this too. I have the RB adjustable units on one of my cars..
Old May 13, 2004 | 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by RETed' date='May 13 2004, 12:39 PM
Easy way - adjust links to same dimensions and slap them on.

Hard way - adjust links to "0" load with car at driving weight.



I could never understand the reason for "pre-loading".

Maybe someone can tell me how it works?

If you tension the bar one way, then it'll "work against" turning one way but work "with" turning the other - I could never understand how this would work?

Is there an advantage for having such a stagger?





-Ted
Its sort of a ghetto adjustable sway bar. I am actually gonna yank my front one soon and put in a true adjustable one.



If you set the end links equal with the car empty then add 150-200 lbs to the drivers seat it will load up the swaybar ever so slightly. The idea of the adjustable links is to bring it back to neutral.



Preloading was probably a bad word to use although it can be done I personally do not have mine preloaded just brought back to neutral while I am in the car. Taking a passanger during an Autocross throws off my cars balance its pretty noticable to me when driving and more so when I go alone after having a rider. My turn ins are more responsive when I am alone.
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