Endlinks + Dropping the Beast

[MyZmZm]

I will be dropping Morrigan come spring - about 1-1.2" all around - and I will be replacing the endlinks at the same time as the springs and struts.

I know that when the P5 is dropped, the stock endlinks end up being too short, which can result in clunking and other potential problems. A fellow owner here in town found that the stock Protege endlinks - with the regular suspension, NOT the sport - are a perfect fit because they are longer.
**Disclaimer - I know this is the case with the Tokico Illuminas; not sure about other struts**

I have the part numbers for the stock Protege endlinks; for those who have done this, are there different endlinks available from AWR for the different Proteges? Depending on price, I'd rather go with AWR adjustable endlinks, but I want to make sure that I would be getting the correct ones. At this point, because I know what the different parts/part #'s are, I am leaning towards stock endlinks.

Feedback from personal experience would also be greatly appreciated.

TIA!

 

[Brian MP5T]

AWR Links Front and Back

 

[Protege52003]

AWR Links Front and Back

those look so nice!

-R

 

[TampaSport20]

I will be dropping Morrigan come spring - about 1-1.2" all around - and I will be replacing the endlinks at the same time as the springs and struts.

I know that when the P5 is dropped, the stock endlinks end up being too long, which can result in clunking and other potential problems. A fellow owner here in town found that the stock Protege endlinks - with the regular suspension, NOT the sport - are a perfect fit because they are shorter.
**Disclaimer - I know this is the case with the Tokico Illuminas; not sure about other struts**

I have the part numbers for the stock Protege endlinks; for those who have done this, are there different endlinks available from AWR for the different Proteges? Depending on price, I'd rather go with AWR adjustable endlinks, but I want to make sure that I would be getting the correct ones. At this point, because I know what the different parts/part #'s are, I am leaning towards stock endlinks.

Feedback from personal experience would also be greatly appreciated.

TIA!

look at what you said...you kind of answered your own question....awr endlinks are ADJUSTABLE....look at the construction...the ADJUSTABLE part is the length of the endlink....AWR's are basically just a tube with threads to accept 2 heim joints...you can actually make them yourself....do a search on ebay for heim joints

 

[Brian MP5T]

those look so nice!

-R

 

[TampaSport20]

tight fit

 

[MyZmZm]

look at what you said...you kind of answered your own question....awr endlinks are ADJUSTABLE....look at the construction...the ADJUSTABLE part is the length of the endlink....AWR's are basically just a tube with threads to accept 2 heim joints...you can actually make them yourself....do a search on ebay for heim joints

I haven't really had a good look at them before, so I was wondering exactly that. Good to know, and thanks for the info Tampa; the pics were helpful too Brian, thanks.

Does anyone know though if they do make different adjustable endlinks for the various Pro's, or are they the same part number?

 

[FunkyBuddha]

The AWR comes in different lengths. YOu'd have to call them to specify. The are all adjustable. I had mine for 8months and sold them. **** ...the clunking was so bad. They aren't really made for Calgary winters. The joints were seizing up, they weren't adjustable anymore when i took them off and they were rusty. I'd just go w/ "stock" endlinks.

 

[MyZmZm]

The AWR comes in different lengths. YOu'd have to call them to specify. The are all adjustable. I had mine for 8months and sold them. **** ...the clunking was so bad. They aren't really made for Calgary winters. The joints were seizing up, they weren't adjustable anymore when i took them off and they were rusty. I'd just go w/ "stock" endlinks.

Yeah, I kinda remember you mentioning this. You went back to the stock endlinks, right? Which ones did you end up getting (ie the P5 ones or the regular Pro)? Any problems since?

 

[kyle's protege5]

AWR's are basically just a tube with threads to accept 2 heim joints...you can actually make them yourself....do a search on ebay for heim joints

Mcmaster Carr has them.

And I lowered mine almost 3 inches and the only endlink problems were in the back. Wanna know a free fix? Flip the lower rear lateral bars over. If you get under there and look you'll see they bump up right at the spot where the antisway bar attaches to the endlink. If you flip them, they are now bumped down. Never touched ever, and like I said lowered almost 3 inches.

 

[Firewired]

Sorry to go off topic here... but how would the RB springs be on the stock endlinks ?

 

[kyle's protege5]

Sorry to go off topic here... but how would the RB springs be on the stock endlinks ?

they are only 3/4", shouldnt be a problem.

 

[Firewired]

Thanks (thumb) (first)

 

[02kllrb]

hey, kyle'sprotege5, you wouldnt happen to have pics of that setup would you?

 

[toucci]

Umm I'm dropped 1.5 inches with espelir springs and illuminas on the stock front endlinks and they're working fine. The stock rears were also working just fine until I got the AWR bar

 

[viVid]

AWR endlinks suck, IMO! Had an experience similar to Spicy's and went back to stock. I had to re-drill my illuminas, as my Progress swaybar hit hard when using the stock endlinks (using Eibach Pro Springs). Works great now!

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

I'm dropped 1.3 all around with stock struts using stock endlinks front & rr with progress rr sway bar. No issues at all except the driving fun factor being higher. I like the way the progress sway bar had oem fit vs. the extra stuff sticking back past the endlinks' positions on the awr bar. Flame-free personal preference. I'd be using awr endlinks with the awr bar if that's the one I had or if I went lower than I did & wouldn't be milking the stock struts either. At the first sign of strut leak or faunky action they will magically disappear & Tokicos will take their place. Then we'll see what needs to happen with different endlinks I suppose. Choices, choices, everybody needs choices. The best option is to have options............

 

[Brian MP5T]

I had mine for 8months and sold them. **** ...the clunking was so bad. They aren't really made for Calgary winters. The joints were seizing up, they weren't adjustable anymore when i took them off and they were rusty.

What did you expect. Tuning and Winter don't really go well together. They are made for the track not the Deerfoot...


There are two sizes for front and rear. Get them if you plan not to drive with them on in the winter. Add the rubber Gromets to make them tight and totally quiet...

Here is a link...

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106761

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

Ahh, now I see what all the noise wuz about. Nice action on the grommets for all the awr endlinkers. I'll keep that in mind when going to Tokicos, whenever that may be. Nice improvisation & enginuity. More rep points for the thinker please.....................

 

[MyZmZm]

I guess I'll be sticking with the stockers, for now at least. My beast IS a daily, year-round driver (wish she was summer only and could be snug in a garage for winter ) so I don't want to go through the hassle with the AWR's...

Does anyone else make quality endlinks that will be fine in the winter, or are stock and AWR the only options?