Sway bar end links length. Post lift.

[Wifes bronc]

I installed the flat out suspension 2” lift a few months ago on my wifes OB. About a week ago it started to do some really bad swaying. I had a warranty claim open first thinking it was a bad end link. and they sent me two new end links of better quality almost immediately (thanks flat out) I have since installed them and lengthened them first to 11 1/4” and now to 12” from center to center on the bolts. It got a little better each time although it is still swaying some at high speeds and cornering at highway speeds. My question is. What length are you guys adjusting the end links to post 2” lift? Thanks.

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[Mark S.]

A lift increases the height of a vehicle's center of gravity. Increased sway is inevitable.

 

[Wifes bronc]

A lift increases the height of a vehicle's center of gravity. Increased sway is inevitable.

Ya but this kind of sway is not normal. The car is actually slowing down itself and saying too much trailer sway. I do t have a trailer or hitch for that matter.

 

[Mark S.]

Ya but this kind of sway is not normal. The car is actually slowing down itself and saying too much trailer sway. I do t have a trailer or hitch for that matter.

A sway bar is intended to reduce body roll--which is also called "sway"--during a turn. I believe you are referring your vehicle's tendency to wander to the left or right of the desired path. This is referred to as "sway" or "trailer sway" in towing situations only. When not towing, this vehicle property is more accurately referred to as "stability."

Do you notice this phenomenon more under acceleration? These are relatively short-coupled (less distance between axles) vehicles with relatively powerful engines. There is another phenomenon called torque steer. This might be what you are experiencing. By changing the height of the vehicle's body in relation to the drive line you have increased the angle on the CV joints. This can exacerbate torque steer. The video below explains why.

 

[Wifes bronc]

Yes It happens during hard acceleration and lane swapping at highway speeds. I understand what you are saying but that’s not answering my question of what the adjustable endlinks length should be.

 

[Mark S.]

Yes It happens during hard acceleration and lane swapping at highway speeds. I understand what you are saying but that’s not answering my question of what the adjustable endlinks length should be.

That information should come from the supplier.

 

[Bluebaru]

Yes It happens during hard acceleration and lane swapping at highway speeds. I understand what you are saying but that’s not answering my question of what the adjustable endlinks length should be.

There are a number of factors that will determine the necessary end link length. The length and rate of your springs and the amount of lift you have, I’m lifted 2”.. I spec’d a 14” 212 lb spring and had to shorten the links to their shortest length but I’ve found they send different springs and different end links to different people, seemingly for no reason. When I considered going to a 16 inch 175 lb spring, I determined I would need a 1/2 to 1” short end link.

Also, they changed the end link mounts at least once after I got mine and welded them in place, where as mine are threaded and adjustable, for height, themselves.

The end links they gave me were 8" long for the Rod itself, making the shortest center of head to center of head 10".

I can't imagine you needing 12" center to center unless they sent you the 12," 175 lb springs and you had to push the spring perch way up, although I'm wondering if softer springs may be your main problem? I recommend a minimum of a 12", 200lbs spring, for all trims, in front and better, for the Badlands, is a 14", 200lbs, if you don't mind a 1.75" minimum lift, when combined with a welded in place upper end link mount, unless they have changed it's location or made it adjustable like they were originally

How about some pics of where your spring mount is and the upper end link mount.!!!!!
I went up another 3/8", in ride height, after this pic

The welded in place, end link mounts, I've seen, are mounted higher than where I have my adjustables, partly because I wanted to use the longest springs possible, for maximum travel.

 

[Wifes bronc]

I went with the 2” level lift from flat out. There was no new front springs only in the rear. The older endlinks I also had in all the way and it drove great for a while then it started the swaying uncontrollably. Now that they have sent me new ones I haven’t been able to get them adjusted just right. Maybe I need to suck them down all the way as well. I went with longer not knowing that actually they may have needed to be shorter from the start. I’ll try that and let you know

 

[Meanderthal]

Did you get an alignment after you did the lift? I had some weird swaying (mostly in low traction environments) that all went away with a good alignment. You really need to have it aligned at a place that does lifted vehicles, not the average shop.

 

[Wifes bronc]

Yes it was aligned. The problem showerd itself 3 months and few thousand miles later.

 

[Meanderthal]

Yes it was aligned. The problem showerd itself 3 months and few thousand miles later.

Are you seeing anything else unusual?

For sway bar end link length, the best way to know is to disconnect both end links, put the vehicle on flat level ground, hold the sway bar horizontal, and measure from center to center of the mounting holes.

 

[MyKindOfBS]

I can't imagine you needing 12" center to center unless they sent you the 12," 175 lb springs and you had to push the spring perch way up, although I'm wondering if softer springs may be your main problem? I recommend a minimum of a 12", 200lbs spring, for all trims, in front and better, for the Badlands, is a 14", 200lbs, if you don't mind a 1.75" minimum lift, when combined with a welded in place upper end link mount, unless they have changed it's location or made it adjustable like they were originally

My Flatout is coming soon and I've read a ton of your post. I'm glad I went with overloaded, which I assume a stronger spring?

 

[MyKindOfBS]

A sway bar is intended to reduce body roll--which is also called "sway"--during a turn. I believe you are referring your vehicle's tendency to wander to the left or right of the desired path.

This has %100 happened to me before on an unmodified BS Badlands. Like when I've had to make a crazy traffic maneuver.

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