SLP/1LE Swaybar Endlinks

[Dominic]

I called SLP about their 1LE 21mm rear and 32mm front sways with bushings, and the guy on the phone told me that I could reuse the endlinks I currently have with these largr bars - is this true or do I need new endlinks?

What would buying new endlinks accomplish if I don't need them?

Thanks guys [img]graemlins/kitty.gif[/img]

[Fin]

You always want to try to replace bushings when you can, and in your case, it's fairly easy. You need the 1LE endlinks (although alot of people say you can use aftermarket, such as Energy Suspension). Just check GMPartsDirect, they have the endlinks for about $5 a piece.

[FirebirdGT]

You CAN NOT reuse the stock V6 endlinks. 1LE sway bars are different than the stock and aftermarket sway bars. You need to use the 1LE endlinks. I have bought the different brand endlinks and will have the details in the TD soon. Those for sure don't work are the Prothane and PST endlinks. I'm still waiting for the others to arrive.

[94-3.4]

I use Energy Suspension endlinks and bushings on my swaybars. I have noticed no xtra harshnes or noise from them but i did notice an improvement in handling. I would just opt and go aftermarket.

[Dominic]

Damn thanks a lot Robert - Go yell @ SLP for me [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Wicked 3800 V6]

You can re-use easily. But you should put in poly bushings. Trouble is ... endlinks rust like hell and usually one side breaks during the removal. So take it and go match it to a new pair of endlinks at Pep Boys. Cost me $15, and came with poly bushings. I ended up reusing the middle metal spacer, since the one on the new endlinks was about 1/4" too long and I didn't want to dremel. Very easy process, and you might as well replace the endlinks because they rust rust rust. My fronts are new but my rears aren't ... but poly all around.
-Rob

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Wicked 3800 V6:
You can re-use easily. <hr></blockquote>


You can not use V6 sway bar endlinks on a 1LE sway bar. They DON'T fit.

[PSU 98]

Robert's right, if you actually had the 1LE parts in your hands, you'd see that they fit together similar to a bone in a joint.

[Dominic]

Lastly, would there be any advantage to buying prothane 1LE endlinks instead of GM ones?

[ January 20, 2002: Message edited by: TheCardinal ]</p>

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by TheCardinal:
Lastly, would there be any advantage to buying prothane 1LE endlinks instead of GM ones?

[ January 20, 2002: Message edited by: TheCardinal ]<hr></blockquote>

NO WAY. Read my eariler post. Prothane and PST endlinks are square. They do not fit a 1LE sway bar. The will fit any aftermarket sway bar however.

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by PSU 98:
Robert's right, if you actually had the 1LE parts in your hands, you'd see that they fit together similar to a bone in a joint.<hr></blockquote>


Perfect way to explain it! The 1LE sway bar and endlinks are made to fit together. Using any other endlink, or any other sway bar with 1LE endlinks just doesn't work right.

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

I changed to 1LE bars so this is from experience.

The endlinks on older cars will be so rusted that you will either break them or dremel them off. I unfortunately had no dremel so I had to take off the brackets that the endlinks are attached to. Then with it out of the car and more room to work with, it still took hours to get those nuts off the endlinks. You might as well get some new endlinks cause you aren't going to be reusing the stock ones. From the looks of it, any endlink would work. It is just a clam of sorts that keeps the end of the sway bar in place. Bushings are there just so it doesn't clank if there is movement. I would use something that doesn't use rubber though. Deflection isn't good. You want that bar solidly in place. I used Prothane endlinks, but 1LE will work great also. It doesn't matter what you get. I don't see any difference between the two. As long as the sway bar is clamped in place I don't see how size, shape, length, thickness, within reason, can make a difference.

I got Prothane bushings also. I don't understand why they supposively don't fit? The hole in the middle is perfect for the sway bar. One side is flat and another convex, both fit the stock clamp perfectly. I can't imagine how a different shape would fit. Again, 1LE would work great also.

I'm doing the fronts soon. Since only 1LE makes the endlinks, I'll be getting those. I already have Prothane bushings. They have the same shape as stock ones so I don't see a problem fitting them in.

I'll take pictures eventually so I can show how nicely they fit. I used Prothane cause I already had them for a long time. I'm not partial to anything. I would have run 1LE if I had them on hand.

One thing I do need to order and maybe someone can help me out. Where can those clamps that hold the bushings in place? Both front and rear. Mine are so rusted I don't really want to use them again. What's the size or part number of them?

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dom:
From the looks of it, any endlink would work. It doesn't matter what you get. I don't see any difference between the two. As long as the sway bar is clamped in place I don't see how size, shape, length, thickness, within reason, can make a difference.
<hr></blockquote>

NO, VERY WRONG. It does matter, and will soon be on the TD site.


<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>I got Prothane bushings also. I don't understand why they supposively don't fit? The hole in the middle is perfect for the sway bar. One side is flat and another convex, both fit the stock clamp perfectly. I can't imagine how a different shape would fit. <hr></blockquote>

I never said the bar bushings won't fit, only the endlinks. Any brand of bar bushing will fit and work, it's a matter of how hard, and that is the 1LE.

[Dominic]

I'm sticking with you Robert, when I buy 1LEs I'll find some endlinks too. Thanks a lot for your help guys, I think the 32/21 will be *enough* antisway for me for now [img]smile.gif[/img]

The SLP bars already come with bushings, high durometer rubber they claim.

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by TheCardinal:
I think the 32/21 will be *enough* antisway for me for now.<hr></blockquote>

Be careful as the car will now oversteer more, unless you raise the FRONT spring rate.