So I was talking end links on corvette forums and somebody brought up the argument that you really only need two adjustable end links on a car, one at the front, the other at back to dial out preload.
this has me conflicted. thoughts on the theory?
would the center supports really not interfere?
would the type of endlink difference cause a change from left to right loading?
That is correct. One per bar is all you need.
The center supports should provide no torsional resistance. If they do, they suck.
Dan
if you had a bunch of preload on one end, would some of the stress be against the closer center support?
why would you have a bunch of preload on either end? This isnt nascar.
Dan
when I put bigger sway bars on my corvette with stock end links it introduced some preload due to differing hole location. If I change the ride height this will also change preload.
edit: I think I see where you are going. my example was only to simplify to one half for understanding.
I dont get exactly what you are saying about diff hole locations, or how changing ride height would effect it. However…
First, you obviously dont want any preload on the swaybar. correct? (yes, unless you’re driving in circles)
To do this you need to ensure that at ride height, with whatever gas in the car, and whatever air pressure, and you in the drivers seat there is zero preload on the swaybar.
If you unhooked both endlinks there would be no preload. Right? Obviously.
If you connect one non-adjustable endlink, regardless of how long or short it is, there is no preload (unless center bushings are binding, badly) as the other end of the swaybar will simply move up or down depending on the length of the fixed endlink. Correct? (the answer is yes).
Now to ensure there is no preload you would adjust the link on the other end of the swaybar so that it doesnt add any preload to the swaybar. Either by pulling the bar “down” or pushing it “up”.
Dan
I’m thinking about it the way a pry bar works. the leverage point would be the closest center support, right? (assuming there is some preload). can you really dial out both side equally?
The sway bar rotates in it’s bushings as it’s adjusted, so you shouldn’t have a leverage point like a pry bar unless your binding, or am I missing something?
If you adjust it the way I said there will be NO preload.
Im not sure why you would compare this to a prybar. Only if you are talking about wanting to adjust the torsional resistance. You would do this by moving the end link closer to the bend in the bar, or further from the bend in the bar. Which is (obviously) why adjustable sway bars have multiple holes.
Maybe this is what you are talking about???
EDIT: Are we talking about end link LENGTH or end link POSITION???
Dan
if you have preload (for whatever reason) then that load must be leveraged against something, and the only thing there are the center supports
Its leveraged against the opposite wheel (or end of the swaybar)
ok, I see your logic.
the only think I can think is that if the length of a fixed end link is too far off then you could have one end disconnected and still have preload on the other end in theory because the sway bar wouldn’t be able to swing freely as needed.
MAYBE. If the end link is stupidly long, or short, causing the bar to bind in someway, perhaps against the end link itself. If we use common sense, and assume the fixed end link is of some reasonable length, then it cant possibly create a preload. Especially if the other end is disconnected as there is nothing for it to act against.
Having one endlink on a swaybar is as good as having none.
Dan
theoretically you would want to establish a base starting point using an adjustable end link on both sides to find the position where you would have zero preload for end link length. then once that was found you could replace one side with a solid style link and leave the adjustable end link on the other.
any time we’ve ever set the sway bar on circle track cars we work on, you only adjust one side. providing there is no binding anywhere in the sway bar in the bushings or anything. adjusting the one side will neutralize any preload you may have on the bar.