Why you need to change sway bar link when you change your coilover.

[kobayashiGT]

Why you need to change sway bar link when you change your coilover.

Recently I have a chat with @Sdf4786k and we were discussing our rides. And then when we talk about the suspension, he enlightens me about a small yet important upgrade that is necessary for every car that has changed to a coilover.

 

What is the Purpose of a Sway Bar Link?

Automobiles are carefully designed by experts to help the users experience a smooth, comfortable, and safe ride. A sway bar link is a small but significant part of the complex mechanism that serves the purpose.

The sway bar link allows the user of an automobile to adapt it in accordance with the type of terrain upon which it is to be driven. The bushings at the end of the links can be dismantled to remove the sway bar to prepare the vehicle for a rugged terrain and can be fitted back in while traversing the smoother roads.

The horizontal leveling of the car, with the path it is being driven upon, is elementary to the comfort of its passengers. A long and hollow arched steel bar known as the sway bar or a stabilizer bar is fitted at the front and rear end of the vehicle to suffice for the purpose. Additionally, it ‘shifts’ the compression force from one end’s suspension to the other. This prevents the car from ‘flipping over’ while cornering at a bend in the path.

The bar in itself is a torsional spring. As a counter action to the torsion produced in the bar due to irregularities of the driven path, the link at both the ends raise or lower the springs attached to the control arm of the wheel. A sway bar link can, therefore, be said to function in favor of smoothing the motion transfer between the sway bar and the control arms in the car’s suspension mechanism.

Purpose of the Sway Bar Link

While the driver tries to turn around a bend in a road, the suspension of the outer wheels is compressed relatively more than the suspension for the inner wheel. The inner wheel rises, but the axle attached to it lowers where the link is connected. The sway bar link transfers this change in the position of the control arm to the sway bar, which gets raised at that side. The sway bar undergoes torsion and gets twisted in order to resist the movement, and consequently the spring on the other side expands. Thus, the sway bar link transfers a change in spring compression to the sway bar that raises the spring constant for the other spring. In this manner, the difference in compression cancels out the total lean experienced by the car, and the horizontal alignment of the chassis with respect to the path remains parallel. In the absence of this action, the inner wheel of the vehicle would tend to take a wild spin and lose traction of the road. The sway bar link maintains the camber angle of the inner wheels to control its direction of motion.

The portion highlighted is a sway bar link

When the car is driven over a bump that extends over to both the opposite wheels (front or rear), then the sway bar does not do much, since the bump was equal. Equal and normal compressional forces are implied on the springs at both the ends of the sway bar. It is when either of the wheels out of the pairs present at the front or rear suffers a bump or a dip, then the sway bar links come into play. The change in the level of the wheel axle traverses through the links and enables the sway bar to twist so as to equalize the compression in the springs of the two ends. The net effect is that the ‘bump’ or ‘dip’ is spread evenly by the sway bar among the connected pair of wheels. To dampen these jerks, additional suspension elements are employed.

Because of the differences in spring rate between a conventional shock absorber and aftermarket coilover, this upgrade should be done  together when you are changing your coilover.

So without further ado, I am now deciding which brand should I go for. 🤔

Hardrace from taiwan

Tegiwa from UK.

 

Most probably I will get from Hardrace, cause there is a dealer in Singapore. better be safe than sorry. hahah.

Thanks @Sdf4786k 🙂

[Discoburg]

Best is stay stock 😂

Just joking.

[kobayashiGT]

5 minutes ago, Discoburg said:

Best is stay stock 😂

Just joking.

Haha. But I change coilover le. 😂 做戲要做全套. hahaha.

[Sdf4786k]

2 hours ago, kobayashiGT said:

Why you need to change sway bar link when you change your coilover.

Recently I have a chat with @Sdf4786k and we were discussing our rides. And then when we talk about the suspension, he enlightens me about a small yet important upgrade that is necessary for every car that has changed to a coilover.

 

What is the Purpose of a Sway Bar Link?

Automobiles are carefully designed by experts to help the users experience a smooth, comfortable, and safe ride. A sway bar link is a small but significant part of the complex mechanism that serves the purpose.

The sway bar link allows the user of an automobile to adapt it in accordance with the type of terrain upon which it is to be driven. The bushings at the end of the links can be dismantled to remove the sway bar to prepare the vehicle for a rugged terrain and can be fitted back in while traversing the smoother roads.

The horizontal leveling of the car, with the path it is being driven upon, is elementary to the comfort of its passengers. A long and hollow arched steel bar known as the sway bar or a stabilizer bar is fitted at the front and rear end of the vehicle to suffice for the purpose. Additionally, it ‘shifts’ the compression force from one end’s suspension to the other. This prevents the car from ‘flipping over’ while cornering at a bend in the path.

The bar in itself is a torsional spring. As a counter action to the torsion produced in the bar due to irregularities of the driven path, the link at both the ends raise or lower the springs attached to the control arm of the wheel. A sway bar link can, therefore, be said to function in favor of smoothing the motion transfer between the sway bar and the control arms in the car’s suspension mechanism.

Purpose of the Sway Bar Link

While the driver tries to turn around a bend in a road, the suspension of the outer wheels is compressed relatively more than the suspension for the inner wheel. The inner wheel rises, but the axle attached to it lowers where the link is connected. The sway bar link transfers this change in the position of the control arm to the sway bar, which gets raised at that side. The sway bar undergoes torsion and gets twisted in order to resist the movement, and consequently the spring on the other side expands. Thus, the sway bar link transfers a change in spring compression to the sway bar that raises the spring constant for the other spring. In this manner, the difference in compression cancels out the total lean experienced by the car, and the horizontal alignment of the chassis with respect to the path remains parallel. In the absence of this action, the inner wheel of the vehicle would tend to take a wild spin and lose traction of the road. The sway bar link maintains the camber angle of the inner wheels to control its direction of motion.

The portion highlighted is a sway bar link

When the car is driven over a bump that extends over to both the opposite wheels (front or rear), then the sway bar does not do much, since the bump was equal. Equal and normal compressional forces are implied on the springs at both the ends of the sway bar. It is when either of the wheels out of the pairs present at the front or rear suffers a bump or a dip, then the sway bar links come into play. The change in the level of the wheel axle traverses through the links and enables the sway bar to twist so as to equalize the compression in the springs of the two ends. The net effect is that the ‘bump’ or ‘dip’ is spread evenly by the sway bar among the connected pair of wheels. To dampen these jerks, additional suspension elements are employed.

Because of the differences in spring rate between a conventional shock absorber and aftermarket coilover, this upgrade should be done  together when you are changing your coilover.

So without further ado, I am now deciding which brand should I go for. 🤔

Hardrace from taiwan

Tegiwa from UK.

 

Most probably I will get from Hardrace, cause there is a dealer in Singapore. better be safe than sorry. hahah.

Thanks @Sdf4786k 🙂

no worries.. that's what the community is for.. build a sound resource of information..

[boonhat_91]

Thanks, I like such nerdy info 👍

So if you change to coilover and change sway bar links as recommended, sway bar can stay stock?

 

5 hours ago, kobayashiGT said:

 

Because of the differences in spring rate between a conventional shock absorber and aftermarket coilover, this upgrade should be done  together when you are changing your coilover.

Wrt to the quoted sentence, since you mention difference in spring rate, what property(s) in an aftermarket sway bar link should we be interested in? To elaborate, Hardrace for example doesn't make their own coilovers - so how would you know that Hardrace sway bar links are a good match for your current coilover setup?

[kobayashiGT]

8 hours ago, boonhat_91 said:

Thanks, I like such nerdy info 👍

So if you change to coilover and change sway bar links as recommended, sway bar can stay stock?

 

Wrt to the quoted sentence, since you mention difference in spring rate, what property(s) in an aftermarket sway bar link should we be interested in? To elaborate, Hardrace for example doesn't make their own coilovers - so how would you know that Hardrace sway bar links are a good match for your current coilover setup?

Hmmm. I cannot give you an answer yet. Let me go and research and find out more. 🙂

For now, stay safe! 🙂

[boonhat_91]

50 minutes ago, kobayashiGT said:

Hmmm. I cannot give you an answer yet. Let me go and research and find out more. 🙂

For now, stay safe! 🙂

thank you boss, looking forward to the research findings 🤓

[Sdf4786k]

14 hours ago, boonhat_91 said:

Thanks, I like such nerdy info 👍

So if you change to coilover and change sway bar links as recommended, sway bar can stay stock?

 

Wrt to the quoted sentence, since you mention difference in spring rate, what property(s) in an aftermarket sway bar link should we be interested in? To elaborate, Hardrace for example doesn't make their own coilovers - so how would you know that Hardrace sway bar links are a good match for your current coilover setup?

actually, most debate on which is stiffer. Hollow or solid ARB.

Not so much on which ARB matches up. More of the number of adjustment points available for the Sway bar and what works for some may not be acceptable for some hardcore drivers should also be considered.

 

Edited March 17, 2020 by Sdf4786k

[boonhat_91]

15 minutes ago, Sdf4786k said:

actually, most debate on which is stiffer. Hollow or solid ARB.

Not so much on which ARB matches up. More of the number of adjustment points available for the Sway bar and what works for some may not be acceptable for some hardcore drivers should also be considered.

 

yes I believe stiffness is one of the most looked-at property of ARB (aka sway bar, yes? just to make sure we are on the same page), much like spring rate is the most looked-at property of a coilover.

However as per topic, I am asking about the sway bar links. Perhaps another way of phrasing, what does Hardrace sway bar links have that your stock sway bar links do not?

Or maybe in your own experience, what difference did you feel before and after changing sway bar links?

[Sdf4786k]

2 minutes ago, boonhat_91 said:

yes I believe stiffness is one of the most looked-at property of ARB (aka sway bar, yes? just to make sure we are on the same page), much like spring rate is the most looked-at property of a coilover.

However as per topic, I am asking about the sway bar links. Perhaps another way of phrasing, what does Hardrace sway bar links have that your stock sway bar links do not?

Or maybe in your own experience, what difference did you feel before and after changing sway bar links?

ok .. just on coilover you have bound and rebound to play with .. 

The one that I find interesting is from tein

https://www.amber-performance.co.uk/product.php?xProd=25305&xSec=8437

TEIN EDFC Active Pro Electronic Damping Force Controller

The EDFC PRO Controller Kit from TEIN is the breakthrough Active version that will allow for much more than simply damper adjustments from within the vehicle. The Active version can also be set to adjust based off of the G-Force or speed of the vehicle for continual adjustments in suspension tuning. In addition, the display unit is very compact that can be freely mounted as desired while also having pre-set colours and custom colour adjustments. Another major improvement is being wireless from the head unit to the motor driver units allowing for a much cleaner and easier installation. This is an excellent set-up for those who want ultimate advantage and fine tuning of their suspension.

 

The kit is supplied complete with all items required to install the EDFC onto your TEIN coilover suspension.  

[inlinesix]

Anyone uses Ohlin?

[Sdf4786k]

4 hours ago, inlinesix said:

Anyone uses Ohlin?

never use before, but heard alot of good things about it.. the local installer is quite good ...

[Sdf4786k]

5 hours ago, boonhat_91 said:

yes I believe stiffness is one of the most looked-at property of ARB (aka sway bar, yes? just to make sure we are on the same page), much like spring rate is the most looked-at property of a coilover.

However as per topic, I am asking about the sway bar links. Perhaps another way of phrasing, what does Hardrace sway bar links have that your stock sway bar links do not?

Or maybe in your own experience, what difference did you feel before and after changing sway bar links?

if by sway bar links, u meant the end link then stock ones normally CMI once you lowered it, And hence suffers from a deteriorated handling and increase in wear and tear as well .

 

[inlinesix]

1 hour ago, Sdf4786k said:

if by sway bar links, u meant the end link then stock ones normally CMI once you lowered it, And hence suffers from a deteriorated handling and increase in wear and tear as well .

Once lowered, stock end link will be “too long”. Need to get a shorter 1

[Sdf4786k]

11 hours ago, inlinesix said:

Once lowered, stock end link will be “too long”. Need to get a shorter 1

yup, thats was where the discussion ended with @kobayashiGT koba and hence his journey begin...

[Beregond]

18 hours ago, boonhat_91 said:

yes I believe stiffness is one of the most looked-at property of ARB (aka sway bar, yes? just to make sure we are on the same page), much like spring rate is the most looked-at property of a coilover.

However as per topic, I am asking about the sway bar links. Perhaps another way of phrasing, what does Hardrace sway bar links have that your stock sway bar links do not?

Or maybe in your own experience, what difference did you feel before and after changing sway bar links?

The sway bar links layman term is absrober linkage. Normally when it spoil. When your car go over uneven road u will feel and hear kikok kikok sound from below.

I doubt u will feel any different if u replace your perfectly all right stock link to hardrace parts.

But if your link spoil already. Hardrace just provide u with another options. Maybe its parts is more lasting? Must try then know

[boonhat_91]

12 hours ago, inlinesix said:

Once lowered, stock end link will be “too long”. Need to get a shorter 1

 

32 minutes ago, Sdf4786k said:

yup, thats was where the discussion ended with @kobayashiGT koba and hence his journey begin...

 

23 minutes ago, Beregond said:

The sway bar links layman term is absrober linkage. Normally when it spoil. When your car go over uneven road u will feel and hear kikok kikok sound from below.

I doubt u will feel any different if u replace your perfectly all right stock link to hardrace parts.

But if your link spoil already. Hardrace just provide u with another options. Maybe its parts is more lasting? Must try then know

Thanks all, starting to see a clearer picture now!

So in theory only, you could just cut shorter and weld back your stock links if you lowered your ride?

[Beregond]

3 minutes ago, boonhat_91 said:

 

 

Thanks all, starting to see a clearer picture now!

So in theory only, you could just cut shorter and weld back your stock links if you lowered your ride?

it really depend on your car undercarriage design, and what type of coil over u using. or how u going to lower your ride.

if u remain orginal expect using a lower spring only, u dun even need to replace the linkage.

some design the linkage is fix onto the lower arm instead, in that case, changing to coil over also should not touch it also.

its really case by case for modtify cars, esp different brand model, conti vs jap.