BTF Fabrication Quick Disconnect Sway Bar End Links

[MStudt]

Awesome really appreciate the input Mike! It was a little difficult to tell what was happening with these as there are no images available. I’d imagine if it were a simple issue it wouldn’t take so long to get a redesign out.

There's only so much that can go wrong with a link. The lower mount on the LCA is very simple, and very difficult to screw up. The only thing that can fail on the tubes are the threads, and really only plays a factor when using course thread heim joints. So that only leaves the upper drop shackle/clevis to fail, and it's the only fabricated part on the entire link.

If they're trying to add bushings to this link it's going to be a long process. Trying to keep the OEM style link, and making is disconnect is something I made. They had issues as well, and that's why I switched.

Mike

 

[MountainBiker]

I've been using these for 20k miles, no problems. Too bad they are discontinued.

 

[mtbtim]

I've been using these for 20k miles, no problems. Too bad they are discontinued.

I broke one of mine in Death Valley. It was my 2nd wheeling trip since installing them. I was hoping they would follow through with the redesign that was promised but it didn't happen. I have a bunch of paper weights now.

 

[MountainBiker]

I broke one of mine in Death Valley. It was my 2nd wheeling trip since installing them. I was hoping they would follow through with the redesign that was promised but it didn't happen. I have a bunch of paper weights now.

Bummer! Can you share how it failed? Maybe I can do something to prevent the same failure.

BTW, after breaking one of MStudt's front disconnects on a rocky dirt road, I have learned to disconnect earlier than later, as the shock loading seemed to cause the failure. Now I disconnect when I air down.

 

[mtbtim]

Bummer! Can you share how it failed? Maybe I can do something to prevent the same failure.

BTW, after breaking one of MStudt's front disconnects on a rocky dirt road, I have learned to disconnect earlier than later, as the shock loading seemed to cause the failure. Now I disconnect when I air down.

The small welded bracket that attaches to the stabilizer bar cracked at the weld. That design with no dampening ability from a bushing was a bad design. I did however have my end links connected because we were mainly traversing high speed washboard fire roads in the Mohave Desert and Death Valley. The constant pounding of the washboard roads was too much for it to handle.

 

[MountainBiker]

The small welded bracket that attaches to the stabilizer bar cracked at the weld. That design with no dampening ability from a bushing was a bad design. I did however have my end links connected because we were mainly traversing high speed washboard fire roads in the Mohave Desert and Death Valley. The constant pounding of the washboard roads was too much for it to handle.

As a mechanical engineer that has designed weldments, that sounds like either a bad weld, or a poor design for the stresses involved.

Regarding your comment about needing something to damp the shock loading, I respectfully disagree. Not because of any analysis of the loading, but by the example of the 1st gen Tacoma front anti-sway bar links that have no compliance between the control arm an the sway bar. Is compliance helpful? Yes. But it doesn't appear to be necessary.