Too much fun = snap my swaybar end link.

[zpeed]

I have too much fun on that 30 min long PDX. Last combine A&B PDX about mid session I heard a loud bang in the front wheel. Just right at turn 15 before The Horse Shoe. I came in the Hot pit (sorry Pat :oops:) and start look around. Did not see anything wrong so went back to the track.

Today I went to adjust the alignment back to stock. The shop find out that right swaybar end link was broken. Trip to Kragen... it'll be here in 3 days.

2 more months for the next PDX :cry:

[Dean]

I'd upgrade rather than replacing with OE type. Is there an aftermarket alternative?

[BillH]

I'd agree with Dean, Nat. You're starting to push your car to where "stock" isn't going to cut it.

[vic]

At least it was not a rod exiting your motor.:D

[Skyhorse]

Mine was the inner bearing retainer on my alternator that came loose during CT qualifying. It sounded like I was dragging a garbage can around the course. I made sure I told Larry and Jim before the race that it was a normal BMW sound so they wouldn’t pull me in and ask for the can back

[Dave Deborde]

Nat, there are a number of pretty significant bumps on the track from before turn 15 all the way down to the entrance to turn 21. I am not surprised that an end link snapped. An aftermarket link would be a better choice.

Good the "bang" was nothing more serious. Thanks for coming out!!

Dave

[sperry]

Nat, there are a number of pretty significant bumps on the track from before turn 15 all the way down to the entrance to turn 21. I am not surprised that an end link snapped. An aftermarket link would be a better choice.

Good the "bang" was nothing more serious. Thanks for coming out!!

Dave
Shoot, I break endlinks turning into the driveway at work. At turn 21, I break control arms!

http://www.seccs.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4967&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1220381205

Nat, the S2000 is a pretty popular track car, I've got to think there are going to be some affordable aftermarket endlinks out there that are much stronger than stock. Hit up the S2000 forums?

[Cody]

If they are anything like the rear endlinks on Subarus, you'll be going from a plastic endlink to a solid metal (aluminum) link if you upgrade. Not only should this be more durable, but it will also make the endlink more effective...similar to increasing the diameter of the bar by a mm or two. Make sure you take this handling change into consideration. :)

[sperry]

If they are anything like the rear endlinks on Subarus, you'll be going from a plastic endlink to a solid metal (aluminum) link if you upgrade. Not only should this be more durable, but it will also make the endlink more effective...similar to increasing the diameter of the bar by a mm or two. Make sure you take this handling change into consideration. :)
Stiffer endlinks don't change the effective stiffness of a swaybar. They just change how quickly the swaybar effects the suspension. It's similar to how stiffer steering rack bushings don't make the steering ratio any quicker, but do make the steering rack more responsive.

[Cody]

Well, with the plastic endlinks that flex so much, going to an endlink that doesn't flex, your getting deeper into the progressive spring rate of the bar, so I disagree.

[sperry]

Well, with the plastic endlinks that flex so much, going to an endlink that doesn't flex, your getting deeper into the progressive spring rate of the bar, so I disagree.
Once the endlink has loaded to the point where it's transferring load to the swaybar, it's no longer part of the equation.

Imagine an infinitely stiff endlink pushing a 22mm bar... that bar isn't going to act like a 30mm bar because the endlink is so stiff... it's going to add the normal spring rate that a 22mm bar adds to the suspension, but it's just going to do it the instant there's a compression discrepancy between the two tires, rather than lagging behind the discrepancy the way soft endlinks do.

Like I said, a stiffer endlink makes the swaybar react quicker, but it cannot make the swaybar stiffer. In a steady state corner, stiffer endlinks are not going to change the balance of the suspension the way a stiffer bar would. They may however change the handling of the car at turn-in... especially if you're not smooth with your control inputs... but everyone here drives with slow, smooth, deliberate inputs at all times, right? :P But either way, the bar will never add more spring rate than the bar's got to add, no matter how stiff the endlink.

One other thing to note about stiff endlinks: endlinks are pretty much the cheapest component in the suspension. It makes no sense to get some so beefy and stiff that you break swaybars, swaybar mounts, control arms, etc instead of the endlink itself. The endlink should be the initial point of failure IMO.

[Cody]

Imagine an endlink that is made of rubber, like a dog toy. This will allow the body of the car to roll more, negating the effects of the bar. Stock WRX endlinks aren't that far off. :P

[Dean]

I'm with Scott on this one. The total additional stretch of even the plastic WRX endlinks is likely less than a few millimeters, but that will likely only be under instantaneous deflection, so the total additional body roll would be negligible.

[Kevin M]

Cody's right in principle, sort of, but the effect is negligible when measured as an actual force twisting the sway bar. Dean and Scott are correct in saying that endlink stiffness really affects the rapidity that the effect of the sway bar is felt on turn-in.

At least everybody can agree that stiffer=better.

[S2kreno]

omg you guys are geeks. if i asked an average guy about his endlink stiffness i doubt i'd get an answer like most of this stuff. Most ladies would probably go with the last sentence tho.

[Kevin M]

omg you guys are geeks. if i asked an average guy about his endlink stiffness i doubt i'd get an answer like that.

The post after my last one was supposed to be a TWSS. :(

[zpeed]

Too my surprise!!! nobody make one, I have to order a custom endlink. The shop that race S2000 told me to replace with the OEM one. He also said that my front sway bar may be setting too stiff.

That gonna be my weekend project.

[Dean]

That is weird. Take a picture of the stock one and hang onto the parts for the old one.

I built and/or speced parts to make ones for the Subarus and might be able to help with the S2Ks if I know what I am replacing.

[vic]

I made my own end links out of spherical rod ends from Summit for about 1/2 the cost of one OEM link from Honda. All steel and ajustable.