Sway Bar End Links

[425skyline]

I recently got the Hotchkis sways from Stillen.

Question: Do I need to upgrade my end links? I know the stiffer bars have a higher chance of wearing the end links out and busting them, but I wanted to know how often that actually happens or who has upgraded their end links.

I found an online retailer that had end links for sale but now I can't find it, even by searching google, etc. If anyone has a link to some G35 coupe sway bar end links it would be much appreciated.

[06PlatinumG]

This should help you


Whose got aftermarket end links?

[OH6 G35]

Originally Posted by 06PlatinumG

This should help you


Whose got aftermarket end links?

+1. Go Aftermarket! Either SPL Parts or PowerGrid. I'm using the SPLs (without
any "problems") and many are using the PowerGrids.

http://my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=316885

[425skyline]

awesome! thanks a ton... but damn the end links cost as much as the damn sways.. wtf

[OH6 G35]

Originally Posted by pavelpg

awesome! thanks a ton... but damn the end links cost as much as the damn sways.. wtf

"You get what you....", well you know the saying!

Here is a "comparison" of SPL Parts (L), Stock (M) and PowerGrids (R).



Happy Shopping...

[425skyline]

Yeah, I'm all for high quality. Just didn't expect to be paying 700+ for sways I suppose.

I'll prolly end up getting those powergrids soon.

[OH6 G35]

Originally Posted by pavelpg

Yeah, I'm all for high quality. Just didn't expect to be paying 700+ for sways I suppose.

I'll prolly end up getting those powergrids soon.

Either choice...good decision!

[06PlatinumG]

You can save your money if your not lowered, you shouldn't need to replace the end links right away. If you are lowered you are preloading the sway and need the adjustable links.

[425skyline]

hmm good point. I am getting that notorious squeaking noise right now and know I need to grease it up or something, but I got a little paranoid about not upgrading the end links either.

what kind of grease do you guys recommend? How do I grease the brackets? I didn't install my bars, but I think I'm going to go get a jack and some stands and grease them myself while I put those collars on. No reason to blow more money on labor.

[kenchan]

i use white lithium grease. inside and outside surfaces of the
bushing. use a good amount. you might be able to find some
rings at your local hardware store and just tie it down with some
hose clamps.

since you have the old bar that moves around, you might be better
off with teflon tape so that you can cover a larger area. and then
just greaseup the outside of the bushings using lithium grease.

[bert039]

Originally Posted by kenchan

i use white lithium grease. inside and outside surfaces of the
bushing. use a good amount. you might be able to find some
rings at your local hardware store and just tie it down with some
hose clamps.

since you have the old bar that moves around, you might be better
off with teflon tape so that you can cover a larger area. and then
just greaseup the outside of the bushings using lithium grease.

Actually, lithium grease is not usually recommended for rubber applications like bushings. White lithium grease is a petroleum based lubricant and is intended for metal to metal contact. Petroleum actually degrades plastic and rubber.

It's normally recommended to use heavy duty silicone spray instead. I've used this before on my end links' bushings and it works for a while, until the driver side bushing just crapped out and squeaked to no end. I ended up buying the revised end links from Riverside Infiniti for like ~$15 and installing them myself. So far so good! The install of the endlinks are super simple too.

[Boston]

Originally Posted by bert039

I ended up buying the revised end links from Riverside Infiniti for like ~$15 and installing them myself. So far so good! The install of the endlinks are super simple too.

I broke an front endlink after the Stillen sway install. I would have preferred to install aftermarket endlinks but it was cost prohibitive at the time. I called Riverside as mentioned above an purchased the OEM revised which were a bit beefier but non-adjustable. I'm on a medium setting up front and so far so good.

[Jeff92se]

Anyone have a pic of the revised versions? Or is the pic above show that?

[bert039]

Let me try to dig up a picture for you.

When I compared the two, the newer endlink was "beefier" in the extent that the thickness of the shaft was thicker. The bushings, on the other hand, looked about the same.

In all honesty, I think that if I were to have bought a new "unrevised" endlink (which Infiniti doesn't sell) it would have been the same. I'm a little skeptical about the how the beefier endlink solved the squeaking. I think that just the fact that the bushing was new on new endlink solved the problem. But hey, $15 to fix the non stop squeaking was peanuts to me.

[425skyline]

Ok, I just cleaned and re-greased the crap out of my bushings on the swaybars several weeks ago. Today I was going over some speed bumps and I'm hearing squeaking again... WTF?! I used this stuff called "Super Lube" from a local industrial supply shop. It's synthetic silicone type grease; not lithium. Is it normal for grease to wear out this fast? It was fine for several weeks until I took the bottom plastic shield/cover off and didn't put it on while it rained for a few days. It's not like I was river-crossing the whole time though, plus this grease shouldn't just run off with water, right?

what exactly is "preload" anyway? sorry for my ignorance