1LE endlinks vs Prothane on 1LE bar, pics inside

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

I got both the 1LE and Prothane endlinks along with 1LE bars. There was a lot of confusion about which fits better. How are they better? Hard to describe in words, so here are some close up pics.

First a pics of both bars along with stock, 1LE, and Prothane endlinks. Prothane is red, 1LE is white, and stock is black. First thing you might want to notice is that both bars have the same exact ends. That's the front 30mm bar and above it is the 32mm 1LE bar. Notice 1LE endlink is drastically different from the other two. The other two are kinda similar. All three are made for the same end though.

http://www.geocities.com/d_payton1/a..._both_bars.jpg

A closer pic.
http://www.geocities.com/d_payton1/all_closer.jpg

Another closer and slightly on the angle pic.
http://www.geocities.com/d_payton1/a...ted_closer.jpg

Even closer and more of an angle. Here you can see that Prothane endlink is domed, not flat. It's a slight dome. Not like 1LE, which is all one big dome. It also has a raised middle, which coincidently is the same size as the hole in the 1LE bar.
http://www.geocities.com/d_payton1/all_veryclose.jpg

Both endlinks side by side.
http://www.geocities.com/d_payton1/b...links_side.jpg

Again, slight angle this time.
http://www.geocities.com/d_payton1/b...nks_tilted.jpg

Both endlinks on the bar. Notice the contact area. That slight dome in the Prothane endlink fits into the hole. So the rest of the endlink is making contact with the bar as well and that raised middle portion is making contact on the inside portion of the hole. Much more contact area compared to the 1LE endlink that is only touching the bar with the upper portion of its dome. A very small contact area.
http://www.geocities.com/d_payton1/both_onbar.jpg

Just the Prothane endlink on the bar.
http://www.geocities.com/d_payton1/prothane_onbar.jpg

Just the 1LE on the bar.
http://www.geocities.com/d_payton1/1LEonbar.jpg

Both bars and 1LE endlink very close and on an angle.
http://www.geocities.com/d_payton1/1..._veryclose.jpg

You may draw your own conclusions from the pictures. I have them at twice the size and 10 times the quality (600+KB) if you want to see them. Just post your email and which ones you want.

In my opinion, I prefer the Prothane endlinks. I compared them installed also. They hold the end much better. The 1LE endlinks felt like cheap plastic. They were definately made from a different material. I didn't see an advantage of this one big dome with just the tip of it making contact. Definately not a solid mounting point. On top of it, 1LE endlinks as the same for the 21mm bar and 32mm bar. I guess one size fits all.

You can draw your own conclusions though. That's why I took the pics.

[Dominic]

Thats very interesting, makes me want to use prothanes instead - thats for sure... Thank you for the photos! Just, next time, try to not host them off geocities [img]smile.gif[/img]

[V6Bob]

Great pics. Always nice to have facts.

[Magnus]

I was there with Dom for most of the installation.

I was very confused about this whole thing. When I saw the 1LE endlinks and how different they were from my prothane endlinks (I have them on the rear), I was very curious to see what the 1LE bar looked like (Because it was supposed to mate perfectly)... Well when I finally saw the 1LE end I was very confused.. Many times I told Dom that I didn't think that was the 1LE bar. I was expecting some sort of convex socket type mounting surface, yet its no different than the stock mounting surface.

I still told Dom many times though to make sure that bar is infact a 1LE bar... From the recent posts, I was very convinced that you need 1LE enlinks for the 1LE bar.

The 1LE endlinks seem very cheap plastic type material. They also mate very poorly with the 1LE Bar.

The Prothane endlinks fit beautifuly. They even ahve a little dome in the center to match the hole of the swaybar.

The 1LE enlinks were all over the place.

I'm very curious as to WHY the 1LE endlinks are the better endlink?

[Seppo Kaitainen]

I guess my TA came with 1LE endlinks stock. B/c those are the same endlinks that were on my TA from GM.

[Cale]

Dom,

Could you point me to the direction of where I could get my hands on the prothane endlinks? I'm waiting on my 1LE bars and have the 1LE endlinks sitting here from GMPartsdirect and would send them back since Prothane seems the better choice.

Thank You

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Magnus:
I was there with Dom for most of the installation.

I was very confused about this whole thing. When I saw the 1LE endlinks and how different they were from my prothane endlinks (I have them on the rear), I was very curious to see what the 1LE bar looked like (Because it was supposed to mate perfectly)... Well when I finally saw the 1LE end I was very confused.. Many times I told Dom that I didn't think that was the 1LE bar. I was expecting some sort of convex socket type mounting surface, yet its no different than the stock mounting surface.

I still told Dom many times though to make sure that bar is infact a 1LE bar... From the recent posts, I was very convinced that you need 1LE enlinks for the 1LE bar.

The 1LE endlinks seem very cheap plastic type material. They also mate very poorly with the 1LE Bar.

The Prothane endlinks fit beautifuly. They even ahve a little dome in the center to match the hole of the swaybar.

The 1LE enlinks were all over the place.

I'm very curious as to WHY the 1LE endlinks are the better endlink?<hr></blockquote>


Maybe because they aren't 1LE sway bars? The end of the bar where the endlink mates looks nothing like my 1LE bars that I bought from the dealer. The 1LE endlinks fit perfectly.

[ February 25, 2002: Message edited by: FirebirdGT ]</p>

[Magnus]

What bar could it be? We did measure it and it was thicker than the stock bar.

I believe Dom ordered it through GM Parts Direct.

Robert, do you have pictures of the 1LE bar ends?

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Magnus:
Robert, do you have pictures of the 1LE bar ends?<hr></blockquote>

No. I think that Dom, you and I should meet up and we can get this straight for all the membership.

[Magnus]

Woah, you live in Wi.. not very far at all..

I'm sure once we see a real 1LE bar our confusion will be cleared up.

It struck me as very odd that the new bar had the old style mounting surface.. hmmmm

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

Quantity
PART NO.
DESCRIPTION
PRICE
EXT. PRICE
TOTAL
STATUS
Tracking #

1
26032907
SHAFT-FRT
$67.04
$67.04
$67.04
Shipped

1
10164174
SHAFT-RR
$45.66
$45.66
$45.66
Shipped

Here is a copy of my account for that shipment from gmpartsdirect. Your rear sway bar part number is different in the tech database. They both show sway bars. Slightly different price. Your part number just says shaft, mine says shaft-RR.

However, the front sway bar part numbers do match. Both show shaft-FRT. In the picture it was the front sway bar, which was thicker then my stock one, so what else can it be. Rough measurement showed 32mm and my stock one showed 30mm. Whatever bar I have is thicker then stock and is from GMParts direct and it is plain black. Maybe they're using different ends on them now. It has same ends as my stock bars so maybe GM is using the same ends on all bars now.

[Magnus]

Where are all the people who have purchased 1LE bars recently, do yours look like this?

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dom:
First thing you might want to notice is that both bars have the same exact ends. <hr></blockquote>

My stock 30mm and 1LE 32mm had different ends. The stock endlinks looked like the Prothane. That is the 1LE endlink in the pictures.

[spunger]

My 1LE bars i just got look just like Dom's. They do measure thicker so I am assuming they are a different than stock.

I came to my same conclusions as you with the endlink deal. My ES bushings work and fit fine. 1LE seemed different.

Just my 2 cents
chris

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

I asked around and people seem to have the 1LE bars I have. I was told by knowledgable people that include moderators in autocross and road racing forums that 1LE bars are just a bigger version of stock bars with the same ends.

There is obviously some other bar out there since Robert has it. What I would recommend is that you order the bar first, check the ends, then order the appropiate bushings for it.

spunger, are you using the ES endlinks for the front? If so can you link me to the place you got it from? I could only find the rear endlinks and front/rear bushings, but no front endlinks.