Should I buy? (Hotchkis sways)

[PirateZHP]

I feel that this is a good deal and shouldn't be passed, but I was wondering what the family thought? I know Chirs (Hokie) had these on the ZHP and seemed to really like them. The more important question is what does everyone think about needing to get the new endlinks? Seems like I may be able to get them from hotchkiss cheap/free.

Any thoughts?

http://nceuro.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17773&sid=9ab10277be88348613cb944c6d1af2a1

[UdubBadger]

Great deal, grab um and just get some adjustable end links from Turner if hotchkis won't replace for free.

[derbo]

that is cheap!

[LivesNearCostco]

Wow, great deal. Wish I'd seen that one before buying my new Hotchkis front sway from BimmerWorld. AFAIK, they don't come with front swaybar links, only rear links. At least my front bar didn't come with links. I used stock end-links for a week without any funny noises, then put on Ground Control adjustable end-links. In my case, using stock end links would only work on softest setting for the front bar; choosing the middle or stiffer setting looked like it would make the bar ends hit something.

[M0nk3y]

No need for adjustable end links unless yours are seized, or your car is lowered.

Just IMO. Sometimes the hassle isn't worth it

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[PirateZHP]

I'm not lowered. I just want to stiffen it up in the corners. Why do you think the endlinks are making that noise? Could it be car specific?

I have been in talks with him, so I may be coming home with some new sways!

[UdubBadger]

No need for adjustable end links unless yours are seized, or your car is lowered.

Just IMO. Sometimes the hassle isn't worth it

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Correct.

My suggestion was based on if you're gonna buy why not set yourself up in case you ever do want to get lowered instead of having to buy new ones again?
Price difference isn't that bad anyways.


Goin' HAM mobile

[PirateZHP]

Seth,

Good advice. The guy is holding them until Friday when I can get to him and give him the money. I will check everything out. After talking with him, he said that it only makes a slight "popping" sound when going over speed bumps.

On top of that, I have already sent an email to Hotchkis whom I have read will replace them for free becuase they changed the type they were using. We will see if the happens or not. If so, I could have some Hotchkis sways for $200... which makes me happy.

[PirateZHP]

... And how difficult are sways to install? I don't have a lift, but have access to jack stands. Is that enough?

[danewilson77]

... And how difficult are sways to install? I don't have a lift, but have access to jack stands. Is that enough?

I can say that front is super easy diy.

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[HokieZHP]

I did them in my driveway. Pretty easy. That popping sound is the end links. I bet one of them is stripped. That's what the issue with mine

[UdubBadger]

I can say that front is super easy diy.

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Fronts sways are.

Never done rears on e46 but with e9x and e8x the subframe had to be dropped so it was super intensive.


Goin' HAM mobile

[HokieZHP]

Rear involves undoing some bolts and nuts on the suspension arms but it's still not difficult. Doesn't require touching the subframe at all.

[UdubBadger]

Rear involves undoing some bolts and nuts on the suspension arms but it's still not difficult. Doesn't require touching the subframe at all.

Excellent to know


Goin' HAM mobile

[HokieZHP]

Yup I believe it's 6 bolts total to remove the rear bar.

[LivesNearCostco]

Good point... my car is lowered. I don't think the lowering itself caused the Hotchkis bar to almost hit the control arms... but GC does modify the swaybar brackets on the struts to make room for the coilover sleeves, which allow the lowering, so it's possible that lowered the swaybar ends with the stock links. Not a problem with the stock swaybar.

No need for adjustable end links unless yours are seized, or your car is lowered.
Just IMO. Sometimes the hassle isn't worth it
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[PirateZHP]

I did them in my driveway. Pretty easy. That popping sound is the end links. I bet one of them is stripped. That's what the issue with mine

Chris... do you think it's the endlink, or a bushing? I may be a noob and that may be (basically) saying the same thing. I'm just trying to figure out what I may need. When I get them, I'm going to want to install them.

Also, all of this could have been avoided if you just sold yours with the car!

[HokieZHP]

Chris... do you think it's the endlink, or a bushing? I may be a noob and that may be (basically) saying the same thing. I'm just trying to figure out what I may need. When I get them, I'm going to want to install them.

Also, all of this could have been avoided if you just sold yours with the car!

Well when the end of my rear end link stripped on my set, I heard a pop when I went over bumps and it flexed the bar. So that may be the issue. If you buy them just take the end links apart and look at the threads. Bushings shouldn't make a popping sound.

[PirateZHP]

Well when the end of my rear end link stripped on my set, I heard a pop when I went over bumps and it flexed the bar. So that may be the issue. If you buy them just take the end links apart and look at the threads. Bushings shouldn't make a popping sound.

And by "look at the threads", what should I be looking for?

[HokieZHP]

They will be significantly worn down or stripped completely if they are bad

[PirateZHP]

Sweet. I'm buying the sways... It's just too good of a deal. Even if I have to buy new endlinks, I think it's worth it. Agree, or disagree?

[UdubBadger]

agree fully

[PirateZHP]

Going to pick them up today!

[PirateZHP]

So, I have them... the ball joint on the endlinks look a bit poor, but not horrible. I figured I would go ahead and talk to Hotchkis about it... and they are sending me new ends to the endlinks. Pretty pumped about that. If I can get it done, I will be installing these plus some other goodies this weekend!

[PirateZHP]

^ Dangit... I can't install them this weekend because I won't have the new parts Hotchkis is sending! I am too excited for my own good. Sorry, everyone...

[derbo]

Good stuff. At least you are getting new links!


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[QC_ZHP]

Nice pickup, I bought Hokie's old sways and love them.

[danewilson77]

So, I have them... the ball joint on the endlinks look a bit poor, but not horrible. I figured I would go ahead and talk to Hotchkis about it... and they are sending me new ends to the endlinks. Pretty pumped about that. If I can get it done, I will be installing these plus some other goodies this weekend!

New ends to the endlinks?

Que?

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[PirateZHP]

New ends to the endlinks?

Que?

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Dane, you'll have to forgive me because I don't know the proper verbiage... on both ends of the endlinks, the ball joint (as I will call it) can be replaced. They are giving me all four ends for free. Hopefully that's more clear...

[danewilson77]

Dane, you'll have to forgive me because I don't know the proper verbiage... on both ends of the endlinks, the ball joint (as I will call it) can be replaced. They are giving me all four ends for free. Hopefully that's more clear...

Ok.

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[PirateZHP]

Ok.

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Maybe it wasn't more clear... I will take pics when I get a chance. I will also probably start a project thread.

[danewilson77]

Maybe it wasn't more clear... I will take pics when I get a chance. I will also probably start a project thread.

Nope. You described it great. I just have never seen or heard of end links with replaceable ball joints.

Learn something new every day.

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