Installed MP3 struts and eibach springs but no front and rear end links

[Bijou-MP5]

when I was working with ZMZMP5 today to install these(first time in my life)...
it took...about 6~8 hours, because we couldn't remove to front and rear end links. eventually, we had to cut it... .. since my car had high mileage so it was really tough to make 1mm rotatioin of screws...
so I'm asking you guys, which brands end links shoud I get?
just replace it with factory? I know factory end links are costs about $25 on each... I have no knowledge on suspension stuff, so let me know

 

[Bijou-MP5]

no one ?

 

[L8R]

u cut them? u could have just dropped the read strut bar. hmm idk if its safe to drive with them cut? awr sells them if im not mistaken? www.protege5online.com sells them - chris

 

[Bijou-MP5]

it was really pain in the ass to remove screw from endlink...
and since it was bolt to stock strut and rear bar...droppin doesn't work ...
thanks though

 

[zmepro]

you don't need to cut anything to install struts....

 

[Bijou-MP5]

you don't need to cut anything to install struts....

well, if you can't seperate end link from stock strut, how you going to reuse it with new strut???

 

[L8R]

yes i had that problem. i used A LOT of wd-40. did u try an alan wrench to remove them? cause u can keep turning the nut if u dont have the alan wrench holding the screw in place. hmm good luck with the purchase though. drive safe! - chris

 

[Bijou-MP5]

yes i had that problem. i used A LOT of wd-40. did u try an alan wrench to remove them? cause u can keep turning the nut if u dont have the alan wrench holding the screw in place. hmm good luck with the purchase though. drive safe! - chris

we used the hex to hold and wrench to make it turn...but it wasn't doing anything...
i will probably get either factory...or maybe awr...if I have money lol...

 

[nate0123]

I had the same problem, the hex key holes stripped to circles... had to buy new rear (factory) endlinks

 

[RSP5]

the dreaded swaybar end link nuts, I had to cut mine off with a dremel after an hour of trying with vise grips and wd40 and liquid wrench i stripped the whole outside of both the rear nuts enough to fit into a 10mm wrench so I just replaced all of them both front and rear with new ss nuts which are now 17mm no more strippy

 

[Bijou-MP5]

cool and thanks for the pic nate0123

 

[ELEmental59437]

hmm.. I didnt even have to use an allen key when removing mine., just a ratchet set. It took a lot of elbow grease (and air tools), and one of the rears wouldnt budge, so I just dissattached it from the other side. (spring install, wouldn't apply to strut install)

 

[Dimitrios]

Bijoiu....did you buy xoom xoom's struts?

 

[Bijou-MP5]

Bijoiu....did you buy xoom xoom's struts?

yeah

 

[bazooka joe]

i don't think there are any "upgrades" over the stock end links for the fronts. i heated mine to get them loose. of course the end links are ruined when you do this. i replaced with stock ones...$50 for the two of them. by the way tokico luminas are awesome!

 

[Bijou-MP5]

i don't think there are any "upgrades" over the stock end links for the fronts. i heated mine to get them loose. of course the end links are ruined when you do this. i replaced with stock ones...$50 for the two of them. by the way tokico luminas are awesome!

hmm..that's what I thought... so front is $25 each?
my driver's side of link is fine, but I need one for passenger and 2 rear

 

[SedanMan]

You can also buy AWR endlinks if you want. They are a bit more expensive and a bit more noisy.

But they are easy to work with.

Attached is a picture of them on a fully adjustable swaybar. But you can get a set for regular swaybars.

 

[Bijou-MP5]

they look really strong but noisy?

 

[bazooka joe]

looks like a rear link to me? will they fit the front too?

 

[hi-perf]

wow guys, my 5 year old 63k mile protege had no problem busting loose... how much milage are we talking about? you could have killed the integrity of your suspension now...