DIY Sway bar end links?
 

Another idea for possibly saving a few dollars.....

Can I make my own sway bar end links? I mean, obviously I know that I can do it, I'm just wondering what the downside to them will be. See as always I am trying to save some dough were I can without sacrificing quality for functionality. I have been eyeballing RB's adjustable end links, and it makes me wonder why I can't just buy a set of 3/8" heim joints like the ones in the link below and use some grade 8 all thread with some jam nuts. Obviously it won't have the bushings but will that make a huge difference? Has anyone considered this? Tried it? Am I out of my mind? I think I could build a set of end links for about 40 bucks for all four corners so unless someone calls me crazy I may give it a try.

I know this isn't a suspension forum, but I feel like there is better technical knowledge over here, and less flaming.

link to heim joints---->Standard Steel Heim Joint Rod Ends, 3/8-24 LH Female

That's exactly what I did. Not rocket science, either. But, I used grade 5 hardware there. Grade 8 is very strong in tension and clamping, but can be brittle under lateral stress.

What size did you use?

3/8". I used two female ends and a connector piece with two jamb nuts. Once I get it on the ground and start adjusting things, I might find that to be a little too long. If so, I'll just use a male and female end with one jamb nut. Shorter, and lighter.

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...ine=1444276523

The reason the lower mount (on the arm) looks differant is because I had to move the sway bar forward to clear the crank pulley. So I moved the sway bar mount forward to match. The tie rod has about 1/4" of clearance at full lock.

Mine looks pretty much like Bobs and this is what's doing the job for me.




I also moved the mounting points on the control arms so they are inline with the sway bar in it's 5/8" forward from stock position.

Folks, I'm dying to know if this worked?!?

I have a FM's front sway bar on a somewhat modified mount. It forces the bar upwards to reach the long OEM end link.
My research has said a sway bar works best when it's horizontal. I would need a very very short link to bring all the stars/bar into proper position.

Can anyone speak to failures or sucesses? I'll do it myself too if you think the villiage idiot should be doing this and running around in monster miata. :)

Thanks for the comments and feedback.

R,
Chris

Thank you for this post! I hope it becomes it's own thread! :appl::smilie_daumenpos:

Hey bud, I did end up doing it this way. Used parts from speedway, female on one side, male on the other. Still haven't pushed the car really hard yet, but I have been happy so far. Got close to 1000 miles on it since I got it driveable.

Works just fine. I have a number of track days, and pushed the car pretty hard. No evidence of failure.