After hearing some bad clunking noises coming from the front end, I took off the front endlinks and saw they were totally blown out, yet again. I've gone through THREE sets of front endlinks on this car, in about 90kish miles. I have the Hotchkis sway bars and my car is lowered as well. Anyone know what would be causing this? It seems like they are wearing much faster since the car has been lowered.

 

It's been a while since I messed with mine - not since installing the eibach bars 6 years ago. Car is standard height, still on OE links after 35K miles.

I'd say they're probably breaking because the angle of the link to bar isn't optimal. IIRC, bolt through bar should be perpendicular when car is level/on the ground. Otherwise there's undo stress and they break sooner than later.

An adjustable endlink is probably your best bet - SPL or Whiteline.

 

its might just be the aftermarket sway bars. I don't specific reason why it happens on our car but its been recommended that upgrading the endlinks goes hand in hand with upgraded sway bars. I have Eibach sways bars and SPL endlinks.
Latez

 

+2 On the adjustable endlinks

 

Does anyone make adjustable front links for the AWD version though? I thought they were different.

 

Adjustable Front Sway Bar Endlinks for the 350Z and G35 | SPL Parts
Applications:
2003-2008 Nissan 350Z (Z33)
2003-2006 Infiniti G35 Sedan (V35)
2003-2007 Infiniti G35 Coupe (V35)
2008+ Infiniti G37x (V36)
2014+ Infiniti Q50x (V37)
2017+ Infiniti Q60x (V37)

 

Thanks, I didn't know that was a thing. I guess I'll be getting those when these current Moog ones blow up again.

 

Just curious, but have all your replacement endlinks been the Moogs? The reason I ask is, that I know a number of people recommend them on here and they do look quite beefy, but I found the joints seem to be poorly made...I had them on my X and they blew out in about a year or less...I replaced them with cheap MAS ones for about $25 and they have held up for a couple of years now (I've been on swifts with the hotchkis sways throughout)

 

The last set and the current set are Moogs, yea

 

Interesting, the SPL's are nice and do alleviate any issue with preload but I'm not sure they're worth almost 10x the price, I'm more convinced that the best route to go is the cheapest ones you can find with a lifetime replacement warranty...

I've also wondered if instead of getting adjustable links, you could just measure the length you need while lowered and find a non-adjustable set for another car that is that length from another aftermarket manufacturer

 

 

I'm inclined to agree with Hashim... top-shelf end-links are overkill for this car.

I remember some years ago, discussing end-links with my old mechanic. The car was on the lift and we were eyeballing things for like the hundredth time. I suggested upgrading the end-links (because I like buying upgrades). That was one of those moments where his response made me feel like an idiot. Great mechanic, but lousy interpersonal skills.

 

I mean it makes sense that an "upgraded" end link won't actually do a whole lot, if anything for performance. I just figured the beefier looking Moogs one would hopefully last a little longer.

I still don't understand why they keep blowing up. Maybe Moogs just suck? Also, with the car and the ground and the wheel at full lock I can get a good view of the endlink and the bolt does look totally perpendicular, so I'm not even sure what benefit an adjustable endlink would bring.

 

I'm not making it a secret, but I do think the moogs just suck because they aren't well made...but I've been known to be wrong...

the only alternatives that I can think of is that its not the structure, its the regreasable design (VS Sealed) and it requires very frequent regreasing or it is susceptible to contamination and failure and that frequency is so high its not practical to try to keep up with that maintence especially in the winter (At least for me)...other than that maybe the grease that needs to be used is very specific and you may have better results with a more specialized grease...I know the my hotckis sways using their specialized grease made a huge difference and has lasted much much longer than using anything else.

As an side, I was changing a front axle and my front struts this weekend and had to disconnect the endlinks..the joints are still super solid on both of my cheapo endlinks even after driving on my worn out struts and smashing the underside of my car on potholes so hard that it broke both my front axles (on two different occasions)...

 

Funny you should ask as I just upgraded my Moogs to SPL. I think the issue is the huge Hotchkis sway transferring too much force to the factory or Moog endlinks. I got Moog endlinks thinking they were an upgrade over stock but they seemed to wear out just as quick as the stock endlinks and they required a lot more maintenance with the zerk fittings. Here is to hoping the SPL endlinks are more durable. The fact that you can adjust the length and angle as well as having spherical bearings should do the trick. Time will tell.