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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Twisted Front End Links - ST XTA Coilovers and Whiteline sway bar



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      11-03-2019, 08:35 PM   #1
Stevesmokeman
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Twisted Front End Links - ST XTA Coilovers and Whiteline sway bar

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice on the issue im having. See photos of twisted end link. This is the same on both sides after upgrading to ST XTA coilovers and a whiteline front sway bar.

I've only lowered about 1 inch, maybe 1.5. The height is right in the middle of the range for the coilovers.

Before purchasing, i called ST to ask them if I'd need adjustable end links, they said no. Supposedly the end link mounting point on the shock body was designed to accommodate lowering. Although this was specifically an answer if keeping the OEM sway bar. I have compared the whiteline bar and the OEM, the dimensions look pretty damn close on the whiteline, so I doubt its an issue with the sway bar.

So have I done something stupid on install? Or do I just need to get adjustable links?
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      11-04-2019, 09:24 AM   #2
weehe126
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You need adjustable end links.
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      11-04-2019, 06:38 PM   #3
Stevesmokeman
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weehe126 View Post
You need adjustable end links.
Ya, thats the conclusion Im reaching. How do I determin how long they need to be? I see several options available for the E92, but they all seem to have the same base length as OEM, 11.5".

I've seen another post where someone discusses the Whiteline adjustable links and says they are 12.5" out of the box, but according to whiteline tech support, they are 290mm, or 11.5 inches.

Any recommendations on a product?
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      11-04-2019, 06:55 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevesmokeman View Post
Ya, thats the conclusion Im reaching. How do I determin how long they need to be? I see several options available for the E92, but they all seem to have the same base length as OEM, 11.5".

I've seen another post where someone discusses the Whiteline adjustable links and says they are 12.5" out of the box, but according to whiteline tech support, they are 290mm, or 11.5 inches.

Any recommendations on a product?
I went with Whiteline adjustable end links. I set them up in a bit of a crude fashion by just measuring the OE ones and setting the length on the adjustable ones by the amount of drop from a spring change. The right way is to put them on the car and adjust until the sway bar geometry is correct.

Maybe just placebo effect, but, they seem to have really helped flatten out the car in cornering.
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      11-05-2019, 06:37 AM   #5
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The ARB drop links are handed.

Lemforder parts:

35364-01 LH https://webcat.zf.com/nc2_teile_info...EINSPNR_ART=35

35365-01 RH https://webcat.zf.com/nc2_teile_info...EINSPNR_ART=35

Have you fitted them to the correct sides?
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      11-05-2019, 12:35 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevesmokeman View Post
Ya, thats the conclusion Im reaching. How do I determin how long they need to be? I see several options available for the E92, but they all seem to have the same base length as OEM, 11.5".

I've seen another post where someone discusses the Whiteline adjustable links and says they are 12.5" out of the box, but according to whiteline tech support, they are 290mm, or 11.5 inches.

Any recommendations on a product?
Has nothing to do with length. Either you have the struts or the links mounted on wrong side.
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      11-05-2019, 02:25 PM   #7
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Oh man, that could definetly be the problem. I didn't realize they were handed!

Wow, thanks guys, I will take another look tonight.
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      11-05-2019, 03:34 PM   #8
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Post back your result please.
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      11-07-2019, 07:16 PM   #9
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Well, add this to the saga of noobism. I had the sides mixed up. I have laid under my car for hours trying to figure this out, so thank you stevesingo for pointing out the obvious to me.

To top off my noobism, I immeditly purchased a set of adjustable end links after the first two comments to this thread. But i swapped the OE Myle links last night and everything fits perfectly, lenght is just fine.

So now I have an extra set of unused, un-needed whiteline adjustable end links! PM if you need a pair!
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      11-07-2019, 10:42 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevesmokeman View Post
Well, add this to the saga of noobism. I had the sides mixed up. I have laid under my car for hours trying to figure this out, so thank you stevesingo for pointing out the obvious to me.

To top off my noobism, I immeditly purchased a set of adjustable end links after the first two comments to this thread. But i swapped the OE Myle links last night and everything fits perfectly, lenght is just fine.

So now I have an extra set of unused, un-needed whiteline adjustable end links! PM if you need a pair!
The fact the OE links fit fine doesn't mean your sway bar is working optimally. Check out this thread.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1523326

And don't feel bad for a screw up. Everybody has at least 1 to their credit. If someone says they don't, they are fibbing.
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Last edited by gjm120; 11-07-2019 at 11:03 PM.. Reason: add
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      11-08-2019, 02:43 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevesmokeman View Post
Well, add this to the saga of noobism. I had the sides mixed up. I have laid under my car for hours trying to figure this out, so thank you stevesingo for pointing out the obvious to me.

To top off my noobism, I immeditly purchased a set of adjustable end links after the first two comments to this thread. But i swapped the OE Myle links last night and everything fits perfectly, lenght is just fine.

So now I have an extra set of unused, un-needed whiteline adjustable end links! PM if you need a pair!
Result.

I only knew of this as I refurbed my suspension a few months back and after fitting one drop link I noticed that it didn't look right. I figured it out when I got the other out of the wrapper and placed it along side the one I had fitted.

Easily done.
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      11-08-2019, 09:44 AM   #12
weehe126
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Well you will have the new adjustable links for when the stock ones go bad in 10k miles or less.
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      11-09-2019, 11:41 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gjm120 View Post
The fact the OE links fit fine doesn't mean your sway bar is working optimally. Check out this thread.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1523326

And don't feel bad for a screw up. Everybody has at least 1 to their credit. If someone says they don't, they are fibbing.
Not all lowering require adjustable sway bar links! What happens when you drive on hwy speed? Car rides lower. What happens when you drive with 3 or 4 passengers? I assume you adjust the sway bar links, yes?
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      11-09-2019, 11:53 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by feuer View Post
Not all lowering require adjustable sway bar links! What happens when you drive on hwy speed? Car rides lower. What happens when you drive with 3 or 4 passengers? I assume you adjust the sway bar links, yes?
Yea I pull over and get out my tool kit before getting on the freeway

If the car lowers at highway speed or loaded, the standard length are just that much more less than perfect. Anyway, why not start out as close to optimal as possible? They aren't too pricey ~ $120.
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      11-09-2019, 12:03 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gjm120 View Post
Yea I pull over and get out my tool kit before getting on the freeway

If the car lowers at highway speed or loaded, the standard length are just that much more less than perfect. Anyway, why not start out as close to optimal as possible? They aren't too pricey ~ $120.
Wow, only $120! Get few sets then so you will have the correct length ready to go before going on the hwy or loading passengers. I wonder why vendors don’t market already pre set length sway bar links? Like: options for 1 passenger, or 2 or 3, or for 80mph, or 100mph, 120mph and so on. It will be very lucrative Jokes aside, for moderate drops, up to 20-25mm no adjustable sway bar links are required. Oem will do just fine.
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      11-09-2019, 12:10 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by feuer View Post
Wow, only $120! Get few sets then so you will have the correct length ready to go before going on the hwy or loading passengers. I wonder why vendors don’t market already pre set length sway bar links? Like: options for 1 passenger, or 2 or 3, or for 80mph, or 100mph, 120mph and so on. It will be very lucrative Jokes aside, for moderate drops, up to 20-25mm no adjustable sway bar links are required. Oem will do just fine.
Only 1 set needed b/c they are........ adjustable.

Seriously, in moderate corners and turns I think the car feels flatter. Maybe just justifying the expense and time, but I've thrown away money in more silly ways.
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