Interesting sway bar article from UK.

[dpgx5]

Sorry I was talking about the ones you have. Ive spoken to the guy who made Icer006 and he said its hard and not worth it to make a set again unless there are a few more. Is it worth to buy one adjustable vs oem one, would i have a diff. feel of the drive? Thanks

[bchurch05]

Originally Posted by X5girl

Whilst the links look great on the post by Icer006, they will not last on a road car because the ball joints are completely exposed to the elements. These are race parts meant for limited mileage and VERY regular inspection.

This type of joint, known as a "rose" joint needs rubber seals fitted either side of the joint. Like the lower joint on this sway bar link.

i have to disagree with you here as i can tell you from experience that a good quality "heim" joint like those made by QA1 will hold up just fine to even the worst road conditions. i have adjustable sway links that i built on my dodge 3500 with a plow and sander that goes for about 20hrs everytime it snows and i have had them on for 2 yrs which is 4 times as long as a OEM link lasted.
do they look new? no
are they still tight and functioning like they should? yes

i am intrigued by the rubber seals that you posted have never seen them before. happen to have a manufacturer or supplier.

[Icer006]

Originally Posted by X5girl

No, lowering makes no difference to the load on the sway bars or links. You can only adjust pre-load with at leastone adjustable length link.

Whilst the links look great on the post by Icer006, they will not last on a road car because the ball joints are completely exposed to the elements. These are race parts meant for limited mileage and VERY regular inspection.

This type of joint, known as a "rose" joint needs rubber seals fitted either side of the joint. Like the lower joint on this sway bar link.

Actually, it's hard to see from the pics but the dog-bones have a teflon seal/lining.

This similar config are run on race AND road Porsches without any issues.

[Icer006]

Originally Posted by dpgx5

Sorry I was talking about the ones you have. Ive spoken to the guy who made Icer006 and he said its hard and not worth it to make a set again unless there are a few more. Is it worth to buy one adjustable vs oem one, would i have a diff. feel of the drive? Thanks

That's unfortunate. He does good work. I guess his shop is busy with the race teams that one-offs don't make sense anymore.

[dpgx5]

How are yours keeping up? (Icer) Yeah he would make em but he said it be a bit pricey, but I might bug him again to see.

[Icer006]

Originally Posted by dpgx5

How are yours keeping up? (Icer) Yeah he would make em but he said it be a bit pricey, but I might bug him again to see.

Mine are holding up fine. It's a "set it and forget it" type of part to me.

[dpgx5]

Since I have upgraded my susp. would it be worth it for adjustables? Even if I go with the Pheonix one? Thanks

[Icer006]

Originally Posted by dpgx5

Since I have upgraded my susp. would it be worth it for adjustables? Even if I go with the Pheonix one? Thanks

The main reason for going with adjustable endlinks is to eliminate pre-load on the suspension after you lower the car.

This means that when the car is not loaded, the sway bars do not have tension. If the swaybars are not pre-loaded as such, then you have full availability of the swaybar's tension when you DO load the suspension (i.e. on a turn).

Some may say that once you sit in the car, the car is pre-loaded. That's why I had my 911 corner balanced when I was *in* the car so my weight is taken into account.

It's your call, ultimately, if you want adjustable endlinks. The X5 isn't a race car, so I imagine a little bit of pre-load doesn't matter at some point.

[X5girl]

Originally Posted by Icer006

The main reason for going with adjustable endlinks is to eliminate pre-load on the suspension after you lower the car......Sorry, that is wrong. Lowering the car makes no difference to the preload on the bar because both sides are (hopefully) lowered the same amount.

This means that when the car is not loaded, the sway bars do not have tension. If the swaybars are not pre-loaded as such, then you have full availability of the swaybar's tension when you DO load the suspension (i.e. on a turn).......Correct.

Some may say that once you sit in the car, the car is pre-loaded......Definately. That's why I had my 911 corner balanced when I was *in* the car so my weight is taken into account......Exactly why you fit adjustable drop-links, yes.

It's your call, ultimately, if you want adjustable endlinks. The X5 isn't a race car, so I imagine a little bit of pre-load doesn't matter at some point.

.......Its like everything, just because you can make it better doesnt mean you need to or would actually feel the difference, but there is definately something satisfying knowing you have actually improved something.

[Icer006]

Originally Posted by X5girl

Sorry, that is wrong. Lowering the car makes no difference to the preload on the bar because both sides are (hopefully) lowered the same amount.

If you assume (or hope) that the springs are equal and both springs lower the same amount. There's no way to assume/hope that. Actually, even putting a certain amount of fuel may affect weight distribution.

Originally Posted by X5girl

Its like everything, just because you can make it better doesnt mean you need to or would actually feel the difference, but there is definately something satisfying knowing you have actually improved something.

Agreed.