BTF Fabrication Quick Disconnect Sway Bar End Links

[mtbtim]

Hey Dudes,
[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I were recently introduced to a new product that some of you might be interested in. It's a set of quick disconnecting sway bar end links unlike anything else out on the market. They were a collaboration of Jason Harbert and Brandon Line (BTF Fabrication). Sean and I think they are a great design and are running them on our rigs.

Here's a video showing the installation of a set of these end links on my rig.

 

[deves2]

why do you disconnect "both" sides?? disconnecting only one side actually makes the sway bar none functional>

 

[mtbtim]

why do you disconnect "both" sides?? disconnecting only one side actually makes the sway bar none functional>

You and many others have said the same exact thing. And, I think you're right that you can achieve the same thing with disconnecting just one side. With that said, why does EVERY manufacturer of aftermarket end links sell them as a pair meant for ONE sway bar, front OR rear and not front AND rear?

For me, I'm just going to disconnect both sides so I don't have to wonder if the non-connected side is potentially going to hit something under the right circumstances when the suspension is flexing. If someone sets up a camera under their rig and then hits the trails showing me what that non-connected side is doing while the suspension is flexing, then maybe I'll be more of a believer that it's perfectly fine to only disconnect one side.

 

[FrenchToasty]

Great video as always. In the video your channel locks weren’t facing the right way to properly back/secure the shaft while trying to tighten that 5/8 nut. Either a pipe wrench or channels faced the right way might have held it(while still trying to protect that shaft with the rag)

 

[mtbtim]

Great video as always. In the video your channel locks weren’t facing the right way to properly back/secure the shaft while trying to tighten that 5/8 nut. Either a pipe wrench or channels faced the right way might have held it(while still trying to protect that shaft with the rag)

Good observation

 

[T4R-noob]

thanks tim for the vid picked these up and this helped clear up the install

 

[mtbtim]

thanks tim for the vid picked these up and this helped clear up the install

You're welcome my Hawaiian Brother!

 

[Kekoat808]

Ummm did i miss something??

Wondering why the quick disconnects are no longer advertised for sale on their website?

And why is Timmy's installation video for these no longer available?

 

[vesteroid]

I tried a couple weeks ago to find these and reached out to him via YouTube. He said something about a redesign.

If the video is now down (it wasn’t then) then I suspect it’s more than a redesign.

 

[AZ-HoRunner]

I placed an order Jan 28 I cancelled my order last week. When I placed the order I even called then phone number at the bottom of the website to ask how long the wait list was. The guy said he’s working on a batch at the moment and it wouldn’t take that long. Then I did notice the product was off the website.

 

[JayRolla]

Maybe he copied someone's design or was similar?

 

[mtbtim]

I placed an order Jan 28 I cancelled my order last week. When I placed the order I even called then phone number at the bottom of the website to ask how long the wait list was. The guy said he’s working on a batch at the moment and it wouldn’t take that long. Then I did notice the product was off the website.

They are in the process of redesigning the end links. There have been some failures and that's why they took them off the market and we took the video down. So, stay tuned for the new and improved version.

 

[NODNARB01]

Hey all, this is Brandon, the guy that makes these. Most of the issues that have come up were from incorrect installation, or over-extending them flexing off road without them removed, but there’s been one or two breakages due to (I believe) washboard roads for miles on end, and zero bushing flex to take up some of the force.

We are working on adding bushings to the whole assembly to soften the forces going into the brackets.

I was just informed of this thread so figured I should chime in, I’m not very active on forums. The redesign may take a little while, we are really busy with several project trucks and a bunch of long travel kits.

Just wanted to keep everyone informed and shed a little light here so nobody thinks we’re just going to disappear.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kekoat808]

Hey all, this is Brandon, the guy that makes these. Most of the issues that have come up were from incorrect installation, or over-extending them flexing off road without them removed, but there’s been one or two breakages due to (I believe) washboard roads for miles on end, and zero bushing flex to take up some of the force.

We are working on adding bushings to the whole assembly to soften the forces going into the brackets.

I was just informed of this thread so figured I should chime in, I’m not very active on forums. The redesign may take a little while, we are really busy with several project trucks and a bunch of long travel kits.

Just wanted to keep everyone informed and shed a little light here so nobody thinks we’re just going to disappear.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sooooo with that being said do i get to return this set that i JUST received FEB. 8th? With the company knowing there were issues, that they were going to take the product off the market, and re-design?

Would have been nice if when placing purchase, the company made contact or at least notify the customer and say hey there have been some issues brought to our attention and we are looking to re-design, would you like to continue with your purchase or wait. Idk just saying cuz i did spend a good amount of money on these and waited almost 3 weeks to get them.

and idk about everyone else but when i received my items there were zero installation instructions inside...thus left me to rely on Timmy's video

 

[MountainBiker]

Sooooo with that being said do i get to return this set that i JUST received FEB. 8th? With the company knowing there were issues, that they were going to take the product off the market, and re-design?

Would have been nice if when placing purchase, the company made contact or at least notify the customer and say hey there have been some issues brought to our attention and we are looking to re-design, would you like to continue with your purchase or wait. Idk just saying cuz i did spend a good amount of money on these and waited almost 3 weeks to get them.

and idk about everyone else but when i received my items there were zero installation instructions inside...thus left me to rely on Timmy's video

I was about to install mine, rec'd about 5 weeks ago but I had a long trip out of town. Now that I see this, I might hold off on the install.

FWIW, i had the same zero communication, no instructions and long delay before shipment.

 

[mtbtim]

I was about to install mine, rec'd about 5 weeks ago but I had a long trip out of town. Now that I see this, I might hold off on the install.

FWIW, i had the same zero communication, no instructions and long delay before shipment.

I would hold off. Brandon will get the redesign done. I just think he's swamped with his growing company and his attention is being pulled in many directions. I'm not worried about him taking care of the customers who have bought the original design.

 

[MountainBiker]

I would hold off. Brandon will get the redesign done. I just think he's swamped with his growing company and his attention is being pulled in many directions. I'm not worried about him taking care of the customers who have bought the original design.

I was thinking that as well. I broke one of the other brand disco's available for us, I did get free replacement parts, but now I don't trust them. It broke when I was lazy and left it connected on some dirt trails.

The BTF version looks to be stronger. I'll mount them and make sure I disconnect them when on dirt.

 

[raKnizek]

Any update on this redesign? Trying to weigh my disconnect options

 

[MStudt]

Just my .02 on these links, and the previous design. This is in fair competition, and by no means am I trying to bash. We have similar designs, but use different heim joints.

The issue with drop shackle style disco's is the wondering effect. There needs to be something to secure the drop shackle in place or in time it will start to rotate, and this will cause failures. The heim joints will bind, and they will bend/break the shackle. There are certain washers to use in the situations like these, and no, they aren't lock washers! Another issue "could" be the lack of rotation the shackle allows the heim joint, but that argue will go as well as a Ford vs Chevy argument. Lastly, I highly doubt the failures have anything to do with the lack of bushings. Unless the welds are breaking on the shackle, but that's another issue.

Mike

 

[raKnizek]

Just my .02 on these links, and the previous design. This is in fair competition, and by no means am I trying to bash. We have similar designs, but use different heim joints.

The issue with drop shackle style disco's is the wondering effect. There needs to be something to secure the drop shackle in place or in time it will start to rotate, and this will cause failures. The heim joints will bind, and they will bend/break the shackle. There are certain washers to use in the situations like these, and no, they aren't lock washers! Another issue "could" be the lack of rotation the shackle allows the heim joint, but that argue will go as well as a Ford vs Chevy argument. Lastly, I highly doubt the failures have anything to do with the lack of bushings. Unless the welds are breaking on the shackle, but that's another issue.

Mike

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.