Most people with BMW's get adjustable links to lengthen their front links when lowering the suspension (to remove sway bar preload), never thought about doing it for more clearance when interfacing with other suspension parts but that makes sense. When shopping for links I usually try to avoid anything with exposed spherical bearings, just in case it gets wet (which my car usually doesn't but still)
The entire point of adjustable end links is to adjust the length to change the preload (or completely remove preload). If you are shortening the length on the front end of a bmw, your are in effect increasing the bar preload, which is probably not a good thing
Dialing out preload is one of the functions, the other is gaining optimal geometry (maintaining a right angle from the sway bar arm to end link). If you have stock sway bar bushings, which impart a "natural" position" on the bar, then you'd be correct that changing the lengths I might be inducing preload, however I have bushings which don't impart any particular position of the bar so I can place the bar in any orientation without preload.
@@FaRKle0079 not really sure about what bushings you have, but if you have relocated the sway bar mounts to change the geometry, maybe you dont have any preload. Only way to know is to get the car on ramps and unbolt the links, if there is no load on the links (when the car is at ride height) from the bar then you will know for sure
I was always under the impression that you should set your adjustable sway bars with the car at static ride height, or with driver’s weight, to promote no tension on the bar when the car is “flat” Any thoughts?
Yeah, if you're running coilovers, you would measure static ride height and then with the wheel off. you will jack the rotor up to the measurements that you recorded. Install the endlinks into the swaybar, making sure the ends are as straight as possible.
Question, have a f30 with a b58. HR front sway bar. I recently bought some ground control adjustable sway bar links as my car is lowered, i immediately noticed a clunking noise. Sure enough it was the sway bar links. Have you experienced any noise with the SPL ones?
Not sure if this is a dumb question, but with a stock style bushing for the sway bar, where the sway bar has a set position in its natural state, would you want to adjust the preload at the appropriate ride height (either with the vehicle on the ground or wheels jacked up to ride height)? I think you have the M2 CS Racing sway bar, so perhaps it's a non-issue in your case, as both sides of the sway bar will just rotate in unison.
Absolutely not a dumb question, and you're right that it's a bit more difficult with the stock sway bar. I have another video covering this: ua-cam.com/video/Q_sBjb82glc/v-deo.html&
I recommend adjustable end links if you want to try multiple positions on an aftermarket bar. It can also help to optimize the geometry with a lowered suspension (like your M-Perf).
@@FaRKle0079 yes indeed! I've been looking for a solution to increase camber w/o the level of added NVH that generally comes with camber plates. I was running Vorschlag a few months ago, but the clattering was a bit too much for me, especially as a daily.
Most people with BMW's get adjustable links to lengthen their front links when lowering the suspension (to remove sway bar preload), never thought about doing it for more clearance when interfacing with other suspension parts but that makes sense. When shopping for links I usually try to avoid anything with exposed spherical bearings, just in case it gets wet (which my car usually doesn't but still)
Not to mention ride quality issues using stock sway bar links when lowered.
Just ordered these with a new AFE 32mm front sway bar, very excited 😈 great video bro!
The entire point of adjustable end links is to adjust the length to change the preload (or completely remove preload). If you are shortening the length on the front end of a bmw, your are in effect increasing the bar preload, which is probably not a good thing
Dialing out preload is one of the functions, the other is gaining optimal geometry (maintaining a right angle from the sway bar arm to end link).
If you have stock sway bar bushings, which impart a "natural" position" on the bar, then you'd be correct that changing the lengths I might be inducing preload, however I have bushings which don't impart any particular position of the bar so I can place the bar in any orientation without preload.
@@FaRKle0079 not really sure about what bushings you have, but if you have relocated the sway bar mounts to change the geometry, maybe you dont have any preload. Only way to know is to get the car on ramps and unbolt the links, if there is no load on the links (when the car is at ride height) from the bar then you will know for sure
Amazing channel! Would love to get in touch with you for some questions about m2c handling problems.
I couldn’t use stock endlinks with spl lca at all. Don’t even have this sway bar.
Wow. I didn't have any problems with the OE end links and SPL arms on stock sway bar. Did a few track days with that combo.
@@FaRKle0079 I'm lowered on coilovers.
I was always under the impression that you should set your adjustable sway bars with the car at static ride height, or with driver’s weight, to promote no tension on the bar when the car is “flat”
Any thoughts?
Ideally you're right. Since I'm on stock suspension keeping pretty much the same length as the stock end links is fine.
Yeah, if you're running coilovers, you would measure static ride height and then with the wheel off. you will jack the rotor up to the measurements that you recorded. Install the endlinks into the swaybar, making sure the ends are as straight as possible.
Question, have a f30 with a b58.
HR front sway bar.
I recently bought some ground control adjustable sway bar links as my car is lowered, i immediately noticed a clunking noise. Sure enough it was the sway bar links.
Have you experienced any noise with the SPL ones?
Not sure if this is a dumb question, but with a stock style bushing for the sway bar, where the sway bar has a set position in its natural state, would you want to adjust the preload at the appropriate ride height (either with the vehicle on the ground or wheels jacked up to ride height)?
I think you have the M2 CS Racing sway bar, so perhaps it's a non-issue in your case, as both sides of the sway bar will just rotate in unison.
Absolutely not a dumb question, and you're right that it's a bit more difficult with the stock sway bar. I have another video covering this: ua-cam.com/video/Q_sBjb82glc/v-deo.html&
So if you have the CS bar like I do as well with stock arms, do you recommend the change?
That depends on whether you're making contact or not.
Hi, do you need these for the Hotchkins roll bar? or is it possible to do without oe? I have m performance shock absorbers in fact it is oe
I recommend adjustable end links if you want to try multiple positions on an aftermarket bar. It can also help to optimize the geometry with a lowered suspension (like your M-Perf).
Will you have an update after putting some miles on them, both at the track and the street?
I sure can! Things have been pretty unremarkable in the couple hundred street miles and one track day so far. That's a good thing!
@@FaRKle0079 yes indeed! I've been looking for a solution to increase camber w/o the level of added NVH that generally comes with camber plates. I was running Vorschlag a few months ago, but the clattering was a bit too much for me, especially as a daily.
Hey! What end links did you order? Just regular spl f8 links?
Yup, just the regular SPL F8x front end links: www.splparts.com/products/bmw-f8x-front-endlinks-m2-m3-m4.html
SPL told me to install these while car is under load do u think that's necessary?
It's ideal to adjust to the optimal length under load, but you don't need to install them under load.