So I'm probably going to get a set of Hotchkis sway bars soon. Won't know until I have them installed, but probably won't be on a very stiff setting as the car is a daily driver. Just looking to reduce a bit of the body roll. Only other suspension mod is Bilstein B6 shocks. Have no plan of lowering the car at this time.

So am I good to stick with the stock end links, or should I just go ahead and get aftermarket? If so, what's a good set for this type of application? Don't foresee a need for adjustables.

 

On softer settings, there's no wind-up with stock links. Adjustable are nice but not needed for your application.

I run a Hole 1 front/Hole 2 rear setup on my Hotchkis bars with nary a problem. Might need them if you go more aggressive with the higher angle of attack to prevent any wind-up but otherwise just fine on a stock to mildly lowered car.

 

Thanks again Mic!

 

Another question Mic, have you noticed any unintentional side effects from the sway bars? As in unexpected loss of control or rear end slipping out (however small) when hitting bumps or uneven pavement? Or is that only an issue when you go for the highest stiffness setting?

 

Not anything of any consequence. The point of sway bars is to transfer wheel load across to the opposite wheel. Sheer nature of such an action will cause some "unsettling" of the car when hitting a big enough bump or depression. Likewise, there can be more unsettling with higher twist rate of the bar since that's the job of being able to adjust roll stiffness.

And further, too much stiffness CAN cause you to take too much load off your inner wheel, to the point of lift if the F/R bias is too stiff on one or the other end. But this is going to be pretty rare unless you set your bars up with each end completely opposite of one another.... like full soft on front, full hard rear and love to rotate the rear of the car around the front.

But really, you have to look at it from the perspective that with higher torsional stiffness comes quicker recovery as well so if you experience unsettling as such, the recovery from it is also quicker and easier.

 

Thanks Mic, just ordered a set from Tire Rack for $333 shipped.

 

Best deal in town. I keep thinking im going to get a set but im pretty happy with the way my car handles.

 

I'm hoping for a little more planted feel in corners and better steering response.

 

i ran mine with oem end links for about 4 months until i took them off. the ball joints were still in socket. no play at all. I say you are fine but if u increase stiffness settings they will wear faster. I had mine on lowest setting.

 

I ran on stock endlinks for a few years. Front bar, holes 2 and 3 are pretty safe. 1 and 4 seem to bind the endlinks and cause wear. The rear , 2 and 3 seem fine. Honestly,no need for anything stiffer then hole 3. I may even swap to the rear OEM bar shortly for it to be 80% softer