friscomgm

Hello all - have a '14 C63 sedan lowered on BC Racing Coilovers and have a clunking sound that is almost certainly due to the worn sway bar end links currently on the car.

I've been researching aftermarket solutions and aside from Agency Power I have not been able to find any other recommendations. I have also read on this forum that the AP units squeak and rattle and many have not had good experiences with them.

Do people on coilovers just continuously replace these every 20k miles with OEM comparable units such as the Mahle aftermarket links? Or Moog? Or does anybody besides Agency Power actually make a decent setup? Thanks for your time!

BLKROKT

I don't think there are any other decent options unfortunately. Since I refuse to give AP any money ever, I was also researching this. I found a few on eBay but they looked dodgy.

friscomgm

Man that is disappointing to hear. :-(

I saw like 5 years ago a place called RPM did a batch of there own here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...end-links.html

But they haven't been around in a long time. Hopefully somebody has a solution!?

BLKROKT

I was looking for adjustable end links again, and thought that if we knew the measurement that basically any universal heavy-duty unit should work. Right? It's not that difficult a part - just an aluminum rod with adjustable ends - so if you get the length right everything should be fine.

Some conflicting info on length (340mm or 260mm from the above linked thread), and I'm not near my car to measure myself, but you can find various lengths at a number of manufacturer websites - just need to make sure the length and adjustability range are ok, and the rod ends are quality bearings:
https://amrengineering.com/product/a...ybar-endlinks/
https://store.034motorsport.com/sway...-a5-s5-q5.html

Or even get any unit, and then replace the rod ends with something quality like from Aurora: http://www.aurorabearing.com/index.html

AMG3.2

I've got the ones that came on my coilovers from Fortune Auto. Maybe give them a call and see if they're willing to sell you a pair. Super nice guys so I'd be hard pressed if they say no.

friscomgm

Thx guys for the recommendations. I did in fact pick up a set of the Agency Power end links and will be installing asap. I will report back with findings and if in fact they squeak and/or have the issues I have heard of in the past I would honestly consider making my own...

Mort

I have the Agency Power links as well that I will be trying this spring/summer.

Thanks BLKROCT for the rod end link. If need be I will upgrade the rod ends.

BLKROKT

Yeah that's what I'm doing too Mort. Just buy any unit and then replace their problematic rod ends with something quality from either Aurora or QA1 (https://www.qa1.net/rod-ends-and-related/rod-ends).

I wonder if I can find a machined aluminum hexagon rod threaded on both sides though? There's got to be something out there cheaper than buying something just for the rods and tossing the rest of it. I'll do almost anything to not give those AP guys a cent...

Mort

Sometimes it is best to just take the path of least resistance. It would be nice to find a viable option.

Jasonoff

Don't forget about mcmaster-carr as well.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#end-links/=16ht6sd

BLKROKT

Thanks for the link Jasonoff, add it to the list.

I bet these could be made for about half the cost of the AP unit, with absolute top-end components. Top-tier rod ends are about $15ea. Nuts bolts and rods another $20.

Does anybody with the AP or other adjustable end links know the length of their Front and Rear rods? Or even the length of the OE ones handy?

BLKROKT

Universal Tie Rod Adjuster Sleeves are a thing

http://www.jegs.com/i/Proforged/469/...FUZLDQodE2EK-g

http://www.jegs.com/i/UMI+Performanc...FZmCswodyMkCrQ

http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...ed4978a2f826b7

http://www.powerhouseperformance.ca/...roducts_id=266

http://www.ridetech.com/store/1955-1...ters-pair.html






Getting closer....

BLKROKT

9" Joe's Aluminum Hex Tube
This looks like the winner, it's inexpensive, strong, and comes in a lot of lengths.

http://www.jegs.com/i/JOES-Racing-Pr...11159/10002/-1




These are 1-1/8" OD and made with 6061-T6 aluminum - the same size and material I've seen used on commercial products for end links, control arms, camber/toe arms, etc. I could make a whole bunch of these in different lengths to start replacing all sorts of things under there....
[EDIT: Just learned that you should make all control arms out of chromoly, rod ends can also be improved. But the OE control arms look pretty overengineered to me already - maybe just a bushing/bearing replacement? I'm guessing this is another reason why KMAC is more popular than new adjustable arms too. Hmm.)

Anyway, slap on some nice rod ends and VOILA, super high quality sway bar end links that hopefully won't squeak and bind like the AP ones are known to do. Hopefully.

Oh yeah, and it should come out to less than $50 each. Like I said, half the price of the least-expensive retail options out there, PLUS made with much higher-quality components.




Summit also has a million choices for aluminum suspension tubing here too: https://www.summitracing.com/search/...ibanner=SREPD4
More here: http://pitstopusa.com/c-132185-chass...ion-tubes.html

BLKROKT

DIY Guides (apparently this is more common than I realized):
http://www.mwrench.com/Whitepapers/swaybarlinks.pdf - this is the best one
https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho....php?t=1761090
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...-Sway-Endlinks
https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...-Bar-End-links

This guy made adjustable rear control arms for his Benz using the same method: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w201...mber-arms.html

I'm totally doing this. Add another project to the bonfire.

friscomgm

WOW thank you so much for the research on this BLKROKT! At this point I'm down to replace the rod ends with Aurora or QA1 for sure before I even install the AP ones. Let me know which ones you decide to order? Also I can provide the measurements on the AP ones as I have a set sitting next to me currently. I'll post with the measurements and a pic here shortly!

BLKROKT

That would be really useful thanks!

The measurements that matter are (all with rod ends fully screwed in):
- length of hex aluminum tube F/R
- total length with rod ends F/R
- length from center-to-center of rod ends F/R (optional)
- rod end measurements A B C D from the below diagram (optional)




Both Aurora and QA1 seem to be great quality and used interchangeably. Also should probably look at rubber rod end boots to keep them clean like these from RERS: http://sealsit.com/product/rers36pk-rod-end-boot/





I'm probably leaning towards the QA1 XM Enduro Series Chromoly spherical end links here:
https://www.qa1.net/rod-ends-and-rel...chromoly-steel
XML12 and XMR12 have the right thread for the Joe's Hex Tube - $28ea


I'll order the parts as soon as we have good measurements. Thanks again.
4 - XML12 QA1 XM Series Rod Ends @ $28ea = $112
4 - XMR12 QA1 XM Series Rod Ends @ $28ea = $112
4 - SG124 QA1 1/4" Stainless Spacers @ $5ea = $20
4 - SG1212 QA1 3/4" Stainless Spacers @ $5ea = $20
4 - Joe's Racing #11159 9" 3/4-16 Thread Aluminum Hex Tube (estimate length) @ $14ea = $56
8 - JNL12S 3/4-16 QA1 Steel Jam Nuts @ $1ea = $8
8 - Rod End Boots @ $4ea = $32
TOTAL = $360 for full 4pc F/R set

Not bad I think we finally have a better alternative

(and not a bad business to be in either when you consider that the 'scumbag-shop-that-shall-not-be-named' ones probably cost 1/2 that in lower-quality parts plus 5min of screwing together to make.... I'd like to be making well over 100% margins in my business too except in my world that would be called fraud.... )

Mort

The AP rods for the front are 8 3/4" long. I guess friscomgm is coming with the measurements.

BLKROKT

Excellent. Sounds like 8" rods for the front then, thanks.

Jasonoff

You know. You could just measure the OEM endlinks and do the math.

I can draw a picture if it will help...

BLKROKT

I haven't gotten home yet and besides why crawl under there later if I don't have to

friscomgm

Unfortunately I only have a front set currently:

Bar length with no rod ends: 8.75in - 222.25mm
Bar length with rod ends: 12.9in - 324.66mm
Length from center-to-center of rod ends: 11.5in - 292.1mm
Rod end measurements
A - 2.5 in - 63.5mm
B - Not quite sure how to measure this?
C - 1 5/16in 33.34mm
D - 1 7/8 in - 47.63mm

Jasonoff

So what you're saying is. You just want to ask a stupid fkn question on a car forum and have the "smart" members give you the answer?

Jasonoff

How ironic you posted just before me. You should fudge the numbers just to be a dick.

BLKROKT

GTFOH

BLKROKT

That's excellent thanks!

I'm going to crawl under the car and take more measurements since Jasonjerkoff feels like shaming me into it today. The rod end threads each have about 1.5" of usable thread, so the 8" rod should be fine for the front. 9" is probably too long.