How to tell Your Sway Bar/Swing Arm End Links Are Bad

[XFive3.0]

Does anyone here have an Eibach performance sway bar/anti roll kit installed on their X. If so how much does it improve handling/cornering? Im considering getting this to improve handling and was just looking for reviews from fellow X drivers.

I have an 01 X5 3.0.

thanks

[admranger]

Originally Posted by TheGodfather

God I love this forum. I went to a BMW specialist Indy yesterday for this exact same problem.

A thread relating to my issue is always miraculously on the front page when I need it.

The owner of the shop (worked at Calgary BMW for 7 years) took it for a ride, and immediately diagnosed it as end links. I complained of a hollow knock on the drivers side almost immediately under the left foot. This occurs when going over speed bumps, dips etc.

75 for the link + 3 hrs labour? Fair?

Well, first of all, I'd replace both sides at once. Second, 3 hours labor is ridiculous. I have done both sides in my garage with a floor jack and jackstands in under an hour. A shop should do them in less time than that...

You will have a problem doing them at home unless you get a thin 18mm wrench to hold the sway bar threaded end while tightening the nut (it'll spin on you otherwise).

3 hours?

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by admranger

Well, first of all, I'd replace both sides at once. Second, 3 hours labor is ridiculous. I have done both sides in my garage with a floor jack and jackstands in under an hour. A shop should do them in less time than that...

You will have a problem doing them at home unless you get a thin 18mm wrench to hold the sway bar threaded end while tightening the nut (it'll spin on you otherwise).

3 hours?

Thanks for the advice! He did suggest both sides actually. But yea he said 3 hours maybe 2 hours for one. I cannot remember, I asked him labour hours for cv and links so i might be getting mixed up, either way 2 - 3 hours.

Hmmm, I may look into doing it myself. Is that the only special tool/item I will need?

[admranger]

Originally Posted by TheGodfather

Thanks for the advice! He did suggest both sides actually. But yea he said 3 hours maybe 2 hours (I cannot remember I asked him labour hours for cv and links.)

Hmmm, I may look into doing it myself. Is that the only special tool/item I will need?

Yes. You need the thin wrench (check out local bicycle shops and ask for a cone wrench). You can get the old one off w/a regular wrench b/c you don't care if you butcher the boot, but you'll want the thin wrench to put the new one on.

Jack both sides up or you won't be able to do this as the bar is under tension when one side is up and the other is on the ground!

The wheel/tire assembly is f'n heavy, so watch your back.

Good time to look at brake pad thickness and rotor thickness, bushings, etc.

It's an easy job. Just check my 18mm size for the thin wrench before you tear everything apart. I'm pretty sure it is 18mm but it might be 16mm. I haven't done it in ages...

[TriX5]

18mm

[fmugur]

Originally Posted by TheGodfather

Thanks for the advice! He did suggest both sides actually. But yea he said 3 hours maybe 2 hours for one. I cannot remember, I asked him labour hours for cv and links so i might be getting mixed up, either way 2 - 3 hours.

Hmmm, I may look into doing it myself. Is that the only special tool/item I will need?

Yes, it's an easy job, you can do it in an hour on both sides. I have the 18mm you need. I think you are from Calgary if I am not mistaken. You can stop by to borrow it if you are not too far.

[ecproductions143]

I have the hollow clunk as well let us know of the outcome I'd like to have some poly replacements anyone have any thoughts ??

[1stE53]

Replaced mine on February and took less than an hour for both sides. Took my time also. I did not even remove my tires.

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by fmugur

Yes, it's an easy job, you can do it in an hour on both sides. I have the 18mm you need. I think you are from Calgary if I am not mistaken. You can stop by to borrow it if you are not too far.

I am in fact from Calgary. That is incredibly generous and helpful of you. Thank you! I just may take you up on your offer this summer.

It would be awesome to tackle this job and learn a thing or two.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by XFive3.0

Does anyone here have an Eibach performance sway bar/anti roll kit installed on their X. If so how much does it improve handling/cornering? Im considering getting this to improve handling and was just looking for reviews from fellow X drivers.

I have an 01 X5 3.0.

thanks

I did this on my '04 3.0 and then moved them to the 04 4.8 when I bought it this year. I loved the difference when I put them on the 3.0 last year. I wrote a little review at that time:

• As you might expect, the thing is MUCH flatter in the curves. It feels like a much smaller car. I have the feeling this will get me into some trouble one day, but for now, it's a silly grin.
• I can drive it differently, but I really don't. It's a grocery gettin truck that I bought for baby haulin. When I am in it, this is my mindset. I'm no prude or anything, I just know that my fire breather is a 5 of another sort. I like this thing to climb over the occasional curb or lumber along full of wares from Home Depot. I've driven it off road both on purpose and by accident.
• It's a six. In order to REALLY take advantage of a handling difference this new to my experience, I have to plan ahead. Carry more speed into the offramp. Brake a little later than I might have otherwise for that 90 at the end of the road. Or hell. DON'T brake. With 315's on the back, the thing sticks.
• But, I'll tell you what I DO like and why *I* find this is a mod that's worth it. I notice that on the exit of a given turn, I feel more grip. The X5 is flatter to the ground and I feel the inside front wheel pulling me out of the turn. I felt it before, of course. That's one of the things that made me fall in love with BMW's AWD. But now, it's more pronounced. It feels awesome.
• Ride comfort is not noticeably discounted in straight line driving. It's a bit more abrupt in a rough surface turn- like over a railroad crossing for instance. But the thing is heavy enough to settle down pretty quickly.

Since then, I have driven the 3.0 immediately after the change back. It's still a great handling truck. One of the best for it's size I am convinced. The handling is what kept me in the 3.0 for 7 years and what moved me to the 4.8. Since I just turned 15,500 miles on the 4.8, hopefully I'll be in it for for another 7.