Reasonably priced aftermarket end links?

[7cjbill2]

Anyone have a source? Why are the metal/poly aftermarket end links so high? You'd think they were made of gold or something, but come-on, they're not that complicated to manufacture. I admit the CNC ones should be pricey, but not the ones made from bent spring steel rod. It's pretty bad when I can almost buy an entire set of F/R struts for the same price as a set of F/R end links.

[Huffer]

I think "Hardrace" branded ones on Ebay are reasonable.
Personally I do not like the hard endlinks because they do not allow any flex at all, and you end up snapping the link or the swaybar mount itself. I stick with the plastic endlinks, I still get torsional transfer via my 22mm RSB.

[7cjbill2]

Thanks, a little better, but still $150 for a set, vs. about $170 for the others. Still seems high, though. I'm still using stock-ish bars, so I'd like a little bit more resistance w/o having to change them out. At these prices, though, I might as well.

[Huffer]

Upgrading the bar is much more effective than upgrading an endlink.

[7cjbill2]

That's probably true, but in past experience I've installed aftermarket bars and it's always upset the feel or "balance" of the car to me, unless I upgraded EVERYTHING to match (springs, shocks, bushings, etc.). I've always believed it to be a "system" not just a collection of parts, and changing only part of it upsets that system. YMMV, though.

[Garrison]

That's probably true, but in past experience I've installed aftermarket bars and it's always upset the feel or "balance" of the car to me, unless I upgraded EVERYTHING to match (springs, shocks, bushings, etc.). I've always believed it to be a "system" not just a collection of parts, and changing only part of it upsets that system. YMMV, though.

That is one of the most forward thinking statements I've ever read on this forum.

[Huffer]

Upgrading everything to "match" isn't always necessary if there's only a specific thing you're after. Sometimes, people aren't looking for the firmest most planted ride on the street. Sometimes, they are looking to change the feel of the car to suit them.

But, I suppose that might just be their way of having an upgrade "system". Changing all the bushings in a car to a specific type can have a detrimental effect on other components - so where do you stop?

Arguably, if you upgrade springs, links, swaybars and bushings, you're not actually done until you do shocks, tophats, control arms, cv axles, steering rack, trans mount, rear diff mount, engine mount, strut braces. And then you get into...

You see my point. Every car is as different as the driver that drives it. There's no "one system fits all" method that is perfect. If there was, none of us would be here.

[GTDrifter]

Thanks, a little better, but still $150 for a set, vs. about $170 for the others. Still seems high, though. I'm still using stock-ish bars, so I'd like a little bit more resistance w/o having to change them out. At these prices, though, I might as well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KLC26-Whiteline-End-Link-Set-Subaru-Impreza-WRX-Legacy-Rear-/330612298940?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ASubaru&vxp=mtr&hash=item4cfa0754bc

[7cjbill2]

That's just for the REAR set! I'll get some, eventually, when I can afford it...either hardrace or whiteline. It's going to put off my brake/suspension replacement project, though. I've still got a set of struts to buy, and probably strut mounts, too, which are downright economical compared to the end links! Oh well, probably won't do it until the spring or early summer anyway:

(x) crossdrilled front rotors + hawk pads
(x) legacy turbo rear vented rotors/calipers + hawk pads
(x) SS brake lines
(x) poly f/r sway bar bushings
(x) studded bushing saddles
(x) 18mm rear bar
(_) aftermarket F/R end links
(_) KYB GR-2 F/R struts
(_) F/R strut mounts

The list is getting smaller, anyway.

I've got my mpg gauge and voltmeter installed in my A-pillar, I can at least enjoy that for a month or two!

[jamal]

the nice thing about a good set of endlinks is that they last forever. I've had my kartboys since 2006 and have used them on two cars with an assortment of different swaybars.