Reply With QuoteSway bar ends meaning the sway bar links? I think Racing Dynamics sway bar is much thicker so the links have larger hole size for the bushings. Are the bushings completely worn or have cracks?
Originally Posted by ahlem
Big, Big Time Poster
Racing Dynamics Sway bar ends
Are these replaceable with stock units? Good idea/Bad idea? Anyone have any good used ones for sale? I have a serious sway bar end clunking in both the front and rear of my car. The Racing Dynamics look a bit pricey. Should I use Heim Joints from a good industrial supply and make my own really cool ones?
1990 535im 421,000 miles, 1987 325is, 1989 325is, 1990 m3, 1991 318is, 2001 X5 3.0
Major Contributor
Sway bar ends meaning the sway bar links? I think Racing Dynamics sway bar is much thicker so the links have larger hole size for the bushings. Are the bushings completely worn or have cracks?
RICK
BMW 1995 525i (Alpine White)
Big, Big Time Poster
Sway bar link rubber bushings are pretty shot. You can see the movement of the outer vs inner components. If I recall correctly, the links have threaded ends that go through holes in the sway bar. I'd have to crawl under the car and get salt snot all over me to check. There are pictures on Bavauto or Racing Dynamics web sites and realoem that I viewed from the comfort of my warm computer. We have pot hole overload around these parts and this is what happens to your sway bar assemblies.
1990 535im 421,000 miles, 1987 325is, 1989 325is, 1990 m3, 1991 318is, 2001 X5 3.0
2 Grand Master
heim joints sound cool but i found them too noisy. i think you know the answer to your questions already
Big, Big Time Poster
Actually I don't have the answer yet. If I had a set of original sway bar ends to compare to I would be good to go but they didn't come with the car. Anyone know? I don't want to buy the OEM parts to find they don't fit and then have to spend the big $ on Racing Dynamics parts.
1990 535im 421,000 miles, 1987 325is, 1989 325is, 1990 m3, 1991 318is, 2001 X5 3.0
2 Grand Master
i have whiteline sways - i assume your sways are the same
front uses oem links
rear uses RD links or heim joints as the design of the bar is different from stock.
Major Contributor
From the picture of Racing Dynamics front sway bar kit, front links looks shorter than OEM links. But the photo shown might not be actual item for E34. And not sure longer links will effect performance in anyway.
RICK
BMW 1995 525i (Alpine White)
Big, Big Time Poster
Here's an update...
The front links were replaced with stock and stopped most of the rattling and banging. When I jacked up the car, the passenger side rear groaned quite a bit. I will have to dig deeper into that. I do notice a sense of rear end slop as I corner. The car has Koni adjustables and H&R springs and the Racing Dynamics swaybars. I have not checked the rear shock mounts to see if they have any issues.
1990 535im 421,000 miles, 1987 325is, 1989 325is, 1990 m3, 1991 318is, 2001 X5 3.0
Major Contributor
Mine does that too...
i think its a couple of things and would love it if you guys chimed in
A) dog bones (pitman)
B) rear link
c) subframe bushings
hope that helps
Posting Permissions
