Bent sway bar end link Topic is solved

Post by **subzerocarfanatic** » 13 Apr 2020, 10:31

I found yesterday when installing new brake lines and flushing the brake lines with new fluid that my driver side (LHD) end link is bent towards the back of car,so in otherwords it looks like something pushed it in from the front side facing like the bumper,they are brand new and only have probably less than 6 miles on them,any suggestions what could cause this because I see absolutely nothing close enough to cause this,there is a rub mark where the new black paint was scratched off a bit from the outer tie rod end maybe rubbing against because it is closer to it now that it was bent. I straightened it out with a hammer as much as possible.I will include a picture.

Post by **scot850** » 13 Apr 2020, 11:11

What brand of sway-bar end link is it? Can't see how one of these bends like that unless it is a bad part. Even hitting a large pot-hole at speed would cause a lot of other damage not just this. You didn't by chance jack the car under there by chance?

Neil.

Post by **erikv11** » 13 Apr 2020, 12:09

I can think of nothing routine or known that might cause that bend. Looks like tension from the sway bar was too much for it. 6 miles a new record for junk suspension parts!

Post by **MoVolvos** » 13 Apr 2020, 12:11

subzerocarfanatic wrote: ↑13 Apr 2020, 10:31 I found yesterday when installing new brake lines and flushing the brake lines with new fluid that my driver side (LHD) end link is bent towards the back of car,so in otherwords it looks like something pushed it in from the front side facing like the bumper,they are brand new and only have probably less than 6 miles on them,any suggestions what could cause this because I see absolutely nothing close enough to cause this,there is a rub mark where the new black paint was scratched off a bit from the outer tie rod end maybe rubbing against because it is closer to it now that it was bent. I straightened it out with a hammer as much as possible.I will include a picture.IMG_20200410_185835.jpg

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So you installed those and they were straight?
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Post by **MoVolvos** » 13 Apr 2020, 12:16

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Did you check the other side? Perhaps both were that way as they are straight forward (no pun) so no attention was given because they were matching.
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Post by **subzerocarfanatic** » 13 Apr 2020, 12:20

MoVolvos wrote: ↑13 Apr 2020, 12:16 .
Did you check the other side? Perhaps both were that way as they are straight forward (no pun) so no attention was given because they were matching.
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Lol, no they were brand new, and we're straight like all end links I have ever installed.To answer you, no the passenger side is straight like it should be.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 13 Apr 2020, 12:28

subzerocarfanatic wrote: ↑13 Apr 2020, 12:20
MoVolvos wrote: ↑13 Apr 2020, 12:16 .
Did you check the other side? Perhaps both were that way as they are straight forward (no pun) so no attention was given because they were matching.
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Lol, no they were brand new, and we're straight like all end links I have ever installed.To answer you, no the passenger side is straight like it should be.

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Very tough to bend it that much. Maybe a freak impact on the road where the bar was going up and strut going down simultaneous, regardless very strange. Perhaps a Made In China but outsourced part?
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Post by **erikv11** » 13 Apr 2020, 14:03

scot850 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2020, 11:11 What brand of sway-bar end link is it? ...

???

Post by **subzerocarfanatic** » 13 Apr 2020, 15:01

I will check on the brand,I ordered it from ,, I want to say Kelly,not sure if I'm spelling it correctly but I will check. It was drove less than 10 miles after replacing everything, I replaced the entire front suspension, front and rear rotors and ceramic pads,rebuilt all four brake calipers,I did not leave much out,I was shocked to see it. It has been parked so I could figure the leak I posted about a month or so ago.

Post by **subzerocarfanatic** » 13 Apr 2020, 16:55

erikv11 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2020, 12:09 I can think of nothing routine or known that might cause that bend. Looks like tension from the sway bar was too much for it. 6 miles a new record for junk suspension parts!

I used OEM except for the end links because I could not find but 1 at the time and i needed everything ordered all at once,now i wished I had waited for both OEM,I still can not understand why it would bend under any circumstance,its meant to help dampen the load, so why on earth would it bend instead of the sway bar flexing like intended, junk i guess. Lesson learned.I know better, that's what aggravates me the most.