Moog swaybar end-links: are they _too_ big?
#1
Moog swaybar end-links: are they _too_ big?
I've gone through two sets of Moog end links so far. First set, one of the links seized up (joint wouldn't rotate at all). This second set isn't physically bad yet, but the problem is that I have to tighten them ever so often (like once or twice a month). I know it's time to tighten if I hear/feel popping sounds or if the car is just "loud" going over rough crossings such as railroad tracks.
What's been on my mind is the clearance that these end-links have with the control arm; there's hardly any. This makes me wonder if this is the reason why they keep loosening their-selves...possibly 'cause they pivot against the control arm. Has anyone had this problem or issue?
PS: I torque them down to spec (about 40 ft-lbs) while on the ramps every time. I know I can just hit it with the impact/breaker but fear that might do more bad than good.
What's been on my mind is the clearance that these end-links have with the control arm; there's hardly any. This makes me wonder if this is the reason why they keep loosening their-selves...possibly 'cause they pivot against the control arm. Has anyone had this problem or issue?
PS: I torque them down to spec (about 40 ft-lbs) while on the ramps every time. I know I can just hit it with the impact/breaker but fear that might do more bad than good.
#3
When I did mine I tightened them without the load of the vehicle.
I also agree that they are too big and I think that the cause of the clunking sound I hear, when going over speed bumps, is because of the minimal clearance between them and the LCA. The picture below shows the difference in size between the stock ones and the Moogs.
Edit: I've heard concerns from other org members because of how close they sit to the LCA.
I also agree that they are too big and I think that the cause of the clunking sound I hear, when going over speed bumps, is because of the minimal clearance between them and the LCA. The picture below shows the difference in size between the stock ones and the Moogs.
Edit: I've heard concerns from other org members because of how close they sit to the LCA.
Last edited by Nelsito65; 11-05-2009 at 06:52 PM.
#6
If they are both too big, I wouldn't think it would matter because it will just offset the position of the sway bar.
Also, you could try some loctite next time you tighten the bolts.
Also, you could try some loctite next time you tighten the bolts.
#7
Unklejoe, I mean "big" in the sense that the ball joint & its enclosure is bigger; the offset from the top & bottom studs are the same as that of OEM end links.
For example, in Nelsito's picture above, the distance from the center of the bottom stud to the bottom of the link is greater on the Moog links.
So those of you who say they don't have a problem...are you saying:
A) They might be hitting the LCA, but it's not a major issue
or
B) They aren't hitting the LCA so there is no issue
As far as tightening while not under load, I was basing that off of what the FSM says about rubber suspension parts...but I guess since there is no "bushing" it doesn't apply.
For example, in Nelsito's picture above, the distance from the center of the bottom stud to the bottom of the link is greater on the Moog links.
So those of you who say they don't have a problem...are you saying:
A) They might be hitting the LCA, but it's not a major issue
or
B) They aren't hitting the LCA so there is no issue
As far as tightening while not under load, I was basing that off of what the FSM says about rubber suspension parts...but I guess since there is no "bushing" it doesn't apply.
#11
They fit. No worries about the size. I've installed many many of them.
edit: When I tighten them (no load on the vehicle), I use a pry bar to 'raise' them off the control arm a bit. No noise.
edit: When I tighten them (no load on the vehicle), I use a pry bar to 'raise' them off the control arm a bit. No noise.
Last edited by djfrestyl; 11-05-2009 at 07:26 PM.
#13
Those endlinks are beefy as hell and have been installed o my car for close to 2 yrs no problems or noises! You may wanna check out your suspension out thoroughly there's something else going on....
#14
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Same here...
I've had them for over a year and havent touched them since. They fixed my clunking and have been quiet ever since.
If you think they are hitting the LCA, take a look for marks on the link and LCA where they would be hitting. I would think that it definitely would leave a mark on one of them if they were hitting.
I've had them for over a year and havent touched them since. They fixed my clunking and have been quiet ever since.
If you think they are hitting the LCA, take a look for marks on the link and LCA where they would be hitting. I would think that it definitely would leave a mark on one of them if they were hitting.
#15
#16
Same here...
I've had them for over a year and havent touched them since. They fixed my clunking and have been quiet ever since.
If you think they are hitting the LCA, take a look for marks on the link and LCA where they would be hitting. I would think that it definitely would leave a mark on one of them if they were hitting.
I've had them for over a year and havent touched them since. They fixed my clunking and have been quiet ever since.
If you think they are hitting the LCA, take a look for marks on the link and LCA where they would be hitting. I would think that it definitely would leave a mark on one of them if they were hitting.
#18
Just a torque wrench set between 40-45 ft-lbs.
Some old references:
1) http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...end-links.html
another thread, possibly of interest:
2) http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...izer-hole.html
Some old references:
1) http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...end-links.html
Originally Posted by Matt_01SE_20th
I had the same problem with my MOOG end link. The ends are substantially larger than the stock ones. this causes the bar link to bind between the control arm and the stabilizer bar, instead of being free to rotate.
2) http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...izer-hole.html
Originally Posted by Love_00_Max
My front end clunks over speed bumps drives me nuts. I don't hear any noises on highways becoz the concrete highway noise masks any suspension noises. I installed MOOG endlinks and it was fine for a few months and then the sounds came -- it was never there when I had OEM links. I am going to check them out this weekend.
...
What a coincidence, I too must have had the MOOGs for a yr and the clunks are all over the place. Gladly I have the OEM links in the garage, I will put them back on the vehicle. I don't mind having a non-firm ride, but I just cannot deal with clunks, it really bothers me.
...
What a coincidence, I too must have had the MOOGs for a yr and the clunks are all over the place. Gladly I have the OEM links in the garage, I will put them back on the vehicle. I don't mind having a non-firm ride, but I just cannot deal with clunks, it really bothers me.
#19
Since you guys allude to something else being the problem, my steering/suspension has been fully upgraded except for the rack (which I think is bad), but doubt that it could contribute to end-link problems. What other variables can lead to these end links loosening their-selves if you've got new control arms, swaybar/subframe bushings, struts & mounts & bearings, and inner/outer tie rods?
#21
I don't want to get too far off in turning the thread into a fix-my-problem thread since I've got another one going already, but still curious to see what people say about their Moog end links loosening up after a while.
#22
+1 I thought my strut mounts needed to be replaced and it turned out the be the motor mounts. When they go bad they sound like a suspension problem. I also have the moog without any problems. Can't believe my mounts are worn out at 75000 miles. Geezzzzzz
#23
It's pretty easy to tell if it's a stabilizer related problem, just disconnect a link and take it for a bumpy ride. If the noise is gone, it's stabilizer related. My 03 still clunks over bumps with new OEM bushings (both sides!) and two different sets of very tight aftermarket links haven't fixed it. If I do the above test, the noise goes away.
#25
Bumping this up. I seem to have the same problem, Bottom of Endlink seems to be catching/hitting my LCA to the point where I hear all sorts of clunking and thud.
Ive replaced (in order):
BC coilovers
MOOG Sway bar endlinks / MOOG Sway Bar bushing
ES LCA bushings
Pass side axle /Pass side bearing
ES LCA Ball joints
I know its hitting the bottom boot/seal of the endlink because I decided to regrease the endlinks and 6 miles later saw grease spewed all over my passenger side LCA. And I did not pump grease into the endlink till it started spewing out. 3 pumps per joint.
The irony, I drive an i35 like the op. Maybe its an i35 problem?
its a soft thud/clunk, make the front passenger side seem loose and disconnected, cant hear it at low/slow speeds, faster speeds it just sounds bad.
Ive replaced (in order):
BC coilovers
MOOG Sway bar endlinks / MOOG Sway Bar bushing
ES LCA bushings
Pass side axle /Pass side bearing
ES LCA Ball joints
I know its hitting the bottom boot/seal of the endlink because I decided to regrease the endlinks and 6 miles later saw grease spewed all over my passenger side LCA. And I did not pump grease into the endlink till it started spewing out. 3 pumps per joint.
The irony, I drive an i35 like the op. Maybe its an i35 problem?
its a soft thud/clunk, make the front passenger side seem loose and disconnected, cant hear it at low/slow speeds, faster speeds it just sounds bad.
#26
Bumping this up. I seem to have the same problem, Bottom of Endlink seems to be catching/hitting my LCA to the point where I hear all sorts of clunking and thud.
Ive replaced (in order):
BC coilovers
MOOG Sway bar endlinks / MOOG Sway Bar bushing
ES LCA bushings
Pass side axle /Pass side bearing
ES LCA Ball joints
I know its hitting the bottom boot/seal of the endlink because I decided to regrease the endlinks and 6 miles later saw grease spewed all over my passenger side LCA. And I did not pump grease into the endlink till it started spewing out. 3 pumps per joint.
The irony, I drive an i35 like the op. Maybe its an i35 problem?
its a soft thud/clunk, make the front passenger side seem loose and disconnected, cant hear it at low/slow speeds, faster speeds it just sounds bad.
Ive replaced (in order):
BC coilovers
MOOG Sway bar endlinks / MOOG Sway Bar bushing
ES LCA bushings
Pass side axle /Pass side bearing
ES LCA Ball joints
I know its hitting the bottom boot/seal of the endlink because I decided to regrease the endlinks and 6 miles later saw grease spewed all over my passenger side LCA. And I did not pump grease into the endlink till it started spewing out. 3 pumps per joint.
The irony, I drive an i35 like the op. Maybe its an i35 problem?
its a soft thud/clunk, make the front passenger side seem loose and disconnected, cant hear it at low/slow speeds, faster speeds it just sounds bad.
#27
If your endlinks are hitting the bottom of the LCA you should see some markings where metal hit metal, at least on the LCA. I thought the same thing when I kept hearing clunking noises coming from the passenger side, even after I replaced endlinks, struts and strut mounts. It turned out to be the passenger side motor mount, which looked ok to the naked eye, but apparently was already tired and in need of replacement. The noises went away after that.
Did your noise seem so pinpoint, or was it the general passenger side area?
I've replaced every other god damn thing..might as well.
Also, did it emit at all noises? When i drive the car very slowly the noise doesnt exist very much.
2 things are for certain:
looseness exists
passenger side wheel areaish.
#28
Lots of people are saying that, my mount looks perfectly fine...but I can literally feel the looseness/sound coming from the wheel area...as soon as theres a dip in the road, and the tire makes impact with the ground I feel and hear the clunk emitting from the wheel area. I'm almost certain.
Did your noise seem so pinpoint, or was it the general passenger side area?
I've replaced every other god damn thing..might as well.
Also, did it emit at all noises? When i drive the car very slowly the noise doesnt exist very much.
2 things are for certain:
looseness exists
passenger side wheel areaish.
Did your noise seem so pinpoint, or was it the general passenger side area?
I've replaced every other god damn thing..might as well.
Also, did it emit at all noises? When i drive the car very slowly the noise doesnt exist very much.
2 things are for certain:
looseness exists
passenger side wheel areaish.
#29
My noise used to come from the front passenger tire; I couldn't replicate it standing by the engine bay and moving the car up and down. I used to hear it mostly everytime I went over speed bumps. I also used to hear and feel some loosenes from the same area when I took off fast, or when the car would switch gears, say from 1st to 2nd, after a fast take off. Just so you know, my old mount was looking perfectly fine when I replaced it.
Thanks, did you go OEM? How much did it cost and looking at the labor, I'd rather a shop do it.
Thanks for all your help!!
#30
this pretty much confirms it for me..I also smell a burnt plastic smell once in a blue moon, my 1st -> 2nd is smushy, and for me its speed bumps but NYC has shi**y roads so I feel it all over dips and stuff.
Thanks, did you go OEM? How much did it cost and looking at the labor, I'd rather a shop do it.
Thanks for all your help!!
Thanks, did you go OEM? How much did it cost and looking at the labor, I'd rather a shop do it.
Thanks for all your help!!
#31
It is possible to install them incorrectly. There is a left and a right. They look pretty close to identical and if you don't look at the numbers you may have them on the wrong sides. I've put moogs on a few maximas with zero problems.
#32
since its a side mount, do I need to hoist the x-member? Or is it simply, remove old, install new.
No writeups on how to do the side mounts, so Im assuming its that straightforward..
Trust me, I made sure when they were installed the right side went on the corresponding side lol.
No writeups on how to do the side mounts, so Im assuming its that straightforward..
Trust me, I made sure when they were installed the right side went on the corresponding side lol.
#33
actually i had the same question, i just bought 2001 SE AE, and it needs the whole nine yars in the front end.so i went on ebay to look for links annd theres like 5 different ones, and they all look different on pictures, i havent took the wheels off yet to see, but im just wondering, which ones are the right links, theres long ones and short ones.
#35
I can report that the ride on my car is very slightly firmer but the handling is significantly improved. The initial sway that happens when changing direction is much reduced and the car stays flatter in turns. It also resolved most of a suspension rattle problem I've been trying to find although I suspect I have new struts in my future. Overall I'm happy with the results.
Last edited by raincity; 04-16-2012 at 01:19 PM.
#38
#40
Perhaps that's the case, but as usual on this and every other online forum the question is: Which post do I believe? Without researching a wide sampling of each user's contributions it's very hard to tell. Most of the posts, including many in this thread are of the "Yes they are! - No they're not!" variety.