Who's got the best sway bar endlinks as far as longevity & durability goes? Or are all endlinks gonna wear out after a few years? Should I just go with stock? I stripped the hex key in my OEMs so I'm thinking about replacing them.. I was planning to run my sway bar in the middle setting in the cold & rain, and stiffest setting in the hot summer, but no longer have the confidence that stockers will hold up to multiple changes.

Running an H-sport 25.5mm

 

I too stripped the Allen key in one of my oem end links, during a shock and spring upgrade, I ended up cutting it off with a die grinder. I drove it one mile with the new suspension missing an end link and honestly the new suspension is so good I could hardly tell it wasn't there! That said I did replace it with a 30 dollar oem ish autozone replacement. They are pretty thin and same Allen key and nut style... If I find some end links that have a simple nut and bolt I'd be sold...

 

$30 for 2?

 

Don't go with stock. You'll regret it. I did that twice, and the third time I learned my lesson. I bought Detroit Tuned stainless steel end links. Well worth it instead of dealing the end links going out often.

 

30 dollars for one, I didn't need to replace the other one and later when I get new sway bars I'll replace both end links anyways. Looking up the Detroit tuned ones now, thanks for the suggestion Rob

 

Gotcha. Looking at the Detroit Tuned as well, but I think for that money I'll go with WMW's endlinks

 

Looked at the Detroit tuned ones, they use the same nut and Allen key system... No thanks. Found these Alta's, they seem to use a nut and counter nut system... Preferable to me, still looking for a better connection
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...end_links.html

 

I'm fairly certain they're the same product. Plus they're exactly the same price.

 

after doing some cursory looking around and research I think I've decided that I'm just going to fab up my own. it looks like to get what I want I have to make it, which is typical if you want something done right you gotta do it yourself

 

FWIW from WMW apparently you do not need to use the hex key system, "there is a large flat on the back side of the link you can use a 17mm wrench on."

 

Yep and actually there is a flat on the OEM as well. It's under the rubber boot. Thats how I tighten my OEM links on my Hotchkis RSB

 

??? you're kidding - if that's true I don't need the WMW one - do you have a pic? So you can tighten in with that part and just hold it and turn the nut?

 

Just need 2 wrenches, one on front one on back. And sorry no pics . But using 2 wrenches was the only way I could confidently tighten the links to the bar.

 

do you know what size? thank god - i stripped out the little 5mm hex, you just saved me some money from going aftermarket endlinks... i owe you a beer

 

I'll take the cyber beer once you've accomplished your repair I have a 2007 R56, so there was plenty of time for them to change the design, but I'm sure it's the same.

 

lol great. you don't recall what size it is on the back either do you? the nut on the front is a 16mm, maybe the same size?

 

Yeah it was 16 or 17mm. I'm pretty sure it was the same size

 

Just talked to my buddy who was working on the car with me at the time, he said he thought we used a 16mm.

 

S.o.b.... All this fussing with Allen keys for no GD reason...

 

If you're one to adjust the rear swaybar a I'd still get adjustables because after tightening the links a lot using this method the boot will probaby eventually wear through or rip. So not ideal there, but if its a one and done (like myself) then you should be fine.

 

I can confirm it as well!!!!! Thank you GrizId700!

I used a 17mm, basically it was in between the sway bar and the rubber boot. Worked perfectly, and now I won't be getting aftermarket endlinks! woot!

 

Hooray!! I'm glad to be of assistance!

 

That's awesome. I had no idea. Wonder if other OEM endlinks are set up that way. I've had to cut my fair share off.

As to the original question... I have the Alta endlinks. They've been fine. No real complaints other than they're kind of noisy. Also with the joint that isn't protected from the elements I'm sure they'll wear out eventually.

 

I also have the alta end links (and rear control arms). After 2 years of driving (including winters), somehow all of the joints are still tight. Numerous people have commented that they are noisy and rattle.

If I was spending the money again, I would probably go with the boot-style end links, just for protection from corrosion.

Just my opinion.

Have fun,
Mike

 

I have NM endlinks. After a while they became noisy, as expected. I replace the rod ends with some from QA1 and used these to cover the ball joint:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#rod-ends/=w9oped