Endlinks + Dropping the Beast

[ke20sprinter]

Yes, here you go

Mcamster Carr has all the parts, and just get all the pieces in stainless so no worry about corrosion

Hmmm...What year is your Protege5? I changed my rear lateral link, and I don't have those bumps?!

WiL

 

[kyle's protege5]

Hmmm...What year is your Protege5? I changed my rear lateral link, and I don't have those bumps?!

WiL

2002 P5

someone else said the same thing, I dont know why mine is different, but I'm glad it is!

 

[ke20sprinter]

2002 P5

someone else said the same thing, I dont know why mine is different, but I'm glad it is!

OK wait a minute...I got a NEW lateral bar from the dealer (mine was bent) & my Protege5 is a 2002, all my bars are straight (except the bent one). The manual pictures a straight bar...Maybe all 4 are bent? (boom07)

WiL

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

Allright, another new mystery, quick somebody make poll thread so we can see how many people have bent vs. straight ones & what year models have which ones.

 

[Brian MP5T]

4 With No BENDS..

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

^^^^^ Like it should be! ^^^^^

 

[dbzeag]

Can someone tell me what all of the dimensions of both type of end links please? (front and rear). I think I might try making them myself.

I think my sway bar itself is what's bumping into the lower arm, though. I don't think flipping the arm upside down would help.

 

[Brian MP5T]

Are yours bent too?

 

[ke20sprinter]

Can someone tell me what all of the dimensions of both type of end links please? (front and rear). I think I might try making them myself.

I think my sway bar itself is what's bumping into the lower arm, though. I don't think flipping the arm upside down would help.

If you think your sway bar is hitting the rear lateral link, then pull one of the rear tires and check the area where you suspect it hits...There should be a dent or rubbing mark on your lateral link (kinda like metal to metal friction, there should be a shinny dent on your lateral link, under the sway bar). Now, if it is rubbing, you can:

A. find a new shorter/adjustable end link.
B. Raise your car up...Might be way too low.
C. Remove the rear sway bar.

Just a reminder...the end link is attached to the struts, so when your ride goes up or down, the sway bar follows...If your sway bar hits that link, you're damaging your whole suspension (struts, lateral links, sway bar...)

Also, did you shorten/remove your bump stops? If your car is that low, you will be replacing those struts often.

WiL

 

[Brian MP5T]

C. Remove the rear sway bar.

(deadhorse Dumb (deadhorse Dumb (deadhorse Dumb


Not a good idea. The car will roll much more pronounced without the bar and could lead to massive oversteer (drift)

Fix the problem correctly or sell the car and walk...

 

[ke20sprinter]

(deadhorse Dumb (deadhorse Dumb (deadhorse Dumb


Not a good idea. The car will roll much more pronounced without the bar and could lead to massive oversteer (drift)

Fix the problem correctly or sell the car and walk...

Yeah it's not a great idea, but there are cars out there w/o rear sway bars, and they're fine...If the guy isn't after performance then why not? Some people just like the look of REALLY LOW cars.

WiL

 

[Aricjm15]

Yes, here you go

Mcamster Carr has all the parts, and just get all the pieces in stainless so no worry about corrosion

I really dont think those should be bent like that, I would think it would cause some unwanted alignment issues (Toe In/Toe out)
mostly i dont think I have seen any other protege like that.

 

[JDM-P5]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Tein S-Tech's on stock everything. Had one shock blow the first week. Replaced it w/a 2nd hand one from Anarchistchiken & been fine ever since.
However, swapping for the AWR's are on my list on the fridge.

The Panda lives on!

Good luck with the drop.
-Phil

 

[kyle's protege5]

OK wait a minute...I got a NEW lateral bar from the dealer (mine was bent) & my Protege5 is a 2002, all my bars are straight (except the bent one). The manual pictures a straight bar...Maybe all 4 are bent? (boom07)

WiL

do you mean bent as in i hit something?

I'd have to say no because they were like that fom day one, all 4 are bent exactly the same, and i have no problems what so ever getting it aligned.

Like I said I dont know why mine came that way, but I'm glad. I'd be screwed like you all if mine were straight. 1/2 hour of work flipping them over, and they will never hit each other again. As I said before, car was lowered 3" and there was still about 1 1/2" clearance between the endlink and the bar.

 

[kyle's protege5]

I really dont think those should be bent like that, I would think it would cause some unwanted alignment issues (Toe In/Toe out)
mostly i dont think I have seen any other protege like that.

as i stated, they came that way from the factory, and no alignment or tire wear issues ever.

 

[Brian MP5T]

Strange... Redneck Garage...

Was the car used...

 

[dbzeag]

If you think your sway bar is hitting the rear lateral link, then pull one of the rear tires and check the area where you suspect it hits...There should be a dent or rubbing mark on your lateral link (kinda like metal to metal friction, there should be a shinny dent on your lateral link, under the sway bar). Now, if it is rubbing, you can:

A. find a new shorter/adjustable end link.
B. Raise your car up...Might be way too low.
C. Remove the rear sway bar.

Just a reminder...the end link is attached to the struts, so when your ride goes up or down, the sway bar follows...If your sway bar hits that link, you're damaging your whole suspension (struts, lateral links, sway bar...)

Also, did you shorten/remove your bump stops? If your car is that low, you will be replacing those struts often.

WiL

I am using KSport coilovers. It's lowered about 2". I don't think I should remove my rear sway bar. So the only option is shorter end links. Yes there is metal rub on the lateral link.

 

[kyle's protege5]

Was the car used...

No, bought brand new, springs were put on at about 3000 and thats when I noticed the hitting so I flipped them over.

 

[Brian MP5T]

No, bought brand new, springs were put on at about 3000 and thats when I noticed the hitting so I flipped them over.

(boom07)

 

[ke20sprinter]

No, bought brand new, springs were put on at about 3000 and thats when I noticed the hitting so I flipped them over.

Wow...I wonder who else has this type? You might want to give your production month/year so if someone wants to do the same, they can order the bar...But at $50 each the adjustable sway bar link might be cheaper.

WiL