CAUTION, do not install Hotchkis adj end link

My135 · 06-25-2009, 08:05 PM

I guess I am the first one who installed Hotchkis adjustable end link which came with the front sway bar. Either I did not set the adjustable end link incorrectly or the ball joints were not as beefy as it looks.

After 2 weeks that I intalled and 2 days ago, I start hearing some noise came from the front passenger side whenever I went over a speed bump or bumpy road at low speed. It sounds like the front struts went bad.

Today, I jacked up the car and look under and found nothing touching or any loose parts or nuts. I kept looking and finally, I noticed the adjustable end link upper and lower ball joint rubber seals broke and surrounding area looks greasy.

I reallized the noise may came from the worn out ball joints and the noise transmitted via the struct and thus it sounds like came from a loose struct.

So I quickly came to a conclusion is to replace the adjustable end links with the stock links and see if the noise go away since problem can consistently be reproduced.

After I restored it back to stock link and test drived it. Thanks god, the nosie went away!!!

So, lesson learned. Do not install Hotchkis adjustable link unless you have done it successfully before or don't try.

Thanks for reading.

sysfailur · 06-25-2009, 08:12 PM

Contact Hotchkis. I'm certain they'll set you straight.

I've been running Whiteline sways with Hotchkis endlinks on my STi for the last 2 years (roughly 22k miles) for DD and monthly autox duty with no problems whatsoever.

My135 · 06-25-2009, 08:15 PM

It may be my fault that I did not measure the exact length. Any way, many people installed with the stock links with their Hotchkis front sway bars and report no problem, so I hope the problem will go away with stock links.

sysfailur · 06-25-2009, 08:21 PM

No doubt they will. I'm just saying they'll take good care of you if you choose pursue it.

supracg · 06-25-2009, 10:48 PM

Im thinking of getting the front sway bar, so you would still recommend the bar right? just maybe not the end links? Ive heard good things about the hotchkis and I don't know much about the h&r one, seems like a good buy.

denial · 06-25-2009, 11:12 PM

pictures of the broken end link?

Dave Mac · 06-25-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supracg

Im thinking of getting the front sway bar, so you would still recommend the bar right? just maybe not the end links? Ive heard good things about the hotchkis and I don't know much about the h&r one, seems like a good buy.

I have the Hotchkis front bar and mine is just fine. I have the endlinks too, also fine.

Dave Mac

JME · 06-26-2009, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Mac

I have the Hotchkis front bar and mine is just fine. I have the endlinks too, also fine.

Dave Mac

I have the Hotchkis front bar, and it is great. However, I had one of the front end-links actually break in the middle of an autocross run (and subsequently had to finish the day with one end-link disconnected, lol)

It was not an install problem either. I think the issue is with the "adjustable" part of the end-link. When I took mine off I noticed both were bent right where the threads go into the actual link itself, which kinked the ball-joint and probably why the jam nut was stripped off the bolt. Like the OP, I put the stock links on and the car drives like a dream.

Supposedly Hotchkis is sending me a new set, as they switched to a new supplier soon after sending mine out. If and when it gets here I'll post on the difference and maybe snap a pic before I mail in the old ones.

My135 · 06-26-2009, 09:46 AM

I still recommend a better end link but not 100% sure about Hotchkis now. Hotchkis only advertised thier sway bars are for E90 and E92 (3 series). However, some one here claimed the front sway bar works the same for E82 but not the rear. So, I am not sure now whether it is 100% fit on our car.

The reason I say this is based on after installing the stock end links, I still noticed the end line bolts have to tilt down an angel to be able to connect to the end links. I expected it to be 90 degree but not tilted like 120 degree.

I am going to take pictures over this weekend about my broken end links, the stock links installed with Hotchkis on my car, and stock links installed with stock sway bar on our car (which I have to go to dealer lot on Sunday to take pictures).

So, please stay tune for pictures.

Also, if some one can post pictures about how the end links look with the Hotchkis installed. I would appreciate it very much. Thanks.

My135 · 06-26-2009, 03:36 PM

More end link issues with lowerd car:

http://blogs.eurotuner.com/6467795/e...nks/index.html

supracg · 06-26-2009, 06:45 PM

Thats not even the hotchkis but the h&r..weird....

akak1997 · 06-26-2009, 10:20 PM

I've their endlinks installed as well, and my rubber seal is ripped and it's grease all over that area... I'm gonna get some new one soon... something like this from Mason. Let me know if anyone else is interested

supracg · 06-27-2009, 03:06 PM

Hm how much do you think those will run for

akak1997 · 06-27-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supracg

Hm how much do you think those will run for

~$145 that's what mason is charging for their links for older BMW models

cagekicker · 06-28-2009, 09:09 AM

good info!

My135 · 06-28-2009, 10:17 AM

Pictures showed my busted Hotchkis end links ...

akak1997 · 06-28-2009, 11:58 AM

^ that's exactly the same broken seal I've. I just didn't bother to uninstall the end links yet. I left my stock ones are at Mason for him to do R&D.

My135 · 06-29-2009, 06:10 PM

Although there is no issue with the stock end links, I still wanted to warn you guys do not install the supplied adjustable end link unless you know how to adjust it right; else busted rubber seals like mine.

Great product and enjoy.

CharsadehBEAST · 10-21-2021, 05:35 AM

Just installed the Hotchkis front bar and immediately hearing a clunking sound only when steering wheel is at full lock otherwise it's working great. Tech made sure to grease the bushings up. Anyone else experienced this specific scenario? I have TCKline coils, Swift Springs, and M3 control arms.

ShocknAwe · 10-21-2021, 09:26 AM

All the booted links like this fail quickly. I went back to OEM lemforder. Have 1M links on but not sure if that would fit for everyone as I also have F8x M front uprights as opposed to the nonM E8x stock variant.

gjm120 · 10-21-2021, 10:43 AM

I've had Whiteline front adjustable endlinks with abt 4,200 miles and so far ok.

jsigone · 10-22-2021, 01:55 PM

I had whiteline rear end link snap on my EVO X, whiteline rear bar in middle setting. Last a long time though. Installed another set of them and didn't have issues and had single one for spare incase I was far from home

At least they are a pretty easy to access part. Ask the MFG for replacement boots, they should be cheaper then new arms. Maybe adjust the long next time, you have to have tire on the ground/blocks to set them up right.

06-25-2009, 08:05 PM	#1
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	CAUTION, do not install Hotchkis adj end link I guess I am the first one who installed Hotchkis adjustable end link which came with the front sway bar. Either I did not set the adjustable end link incorrectly or the ball joints were not as beefy as it looks. After 2 weeks that I intalled and 2 days ago, I start hearing some noise came from the front passenger side whenever I went over a speed bump or bumpy road at low speed. It sounds like the front struts went bad. Today, I jacked up the car and look under and found nothing touching or any loose parts or nuts. I kept looking and finally, I noticed the adjustable end link upper and lower ball joint rubber seals broke and surrounding area looks greasy. I reallized the noise may came from the worn out ball joints and the noise transmitted via the struct and thus it sounds like came from a loose struct. So I quickly came to a conclusion is to replace the adjustable end links with the stock links and see if the noise go away since problem can consistently be reproduced. After I restored it back to stock link and test drived it. Thanks god, the nosie went away!!! So, lesson learned. Do not install Hotchkis adjustable link unless you have done it successfully before or don't try. Thanks for reading. __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
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06-25-2009, 08:12 PM	#2
sysfailur Private First Class 5 Rep 114 Posts Drives: AW 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: this cube iTrader: (1)	Contact Hotchkis. I'm certain they'll set you straight. I've been running Whiteline sways with Hotchkis endlinks on my STi for the last 2 years (roughly 22k miles) for DD and monthly autox duty with no problems whatsoever.
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06-25-2009, 08:15 PM	#3
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	It may be my fault that I did not measure the exact length. Any way, many people installed with the stock links with their Hotchkis front sway bars and report no problem, so I hope the problem will go away with stock links. __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
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06-25-2009, 08:21 PM	#4
sysfailur Private First Class 5 Rep 114 Posts Drives: AW 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: this cube iTrader: (1)	No doubt they will. I'm just saying they'll take good care of you if you choose pursue it.
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06-25-2009, 10:48 PM	#5
supracg Banned 7 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: potomac iTrader: (0)	Im thinking of getting the front sway bar, so you would still recommend the bar right? just maybe not the end links? Ive heard good things about the hotchkis and I don't know much about the h&r one, seems like a good buy.
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06-25-2009, 11:12 PM	#6
denial Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 249 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Louisiana iTrader: (0)	pictures of the broken end link?
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06-26-2009, 09:46 AM	#9
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	I still recommend a better end link but not 100% sure about Hotchkis now. Hotchkis only advertised thier sway bars are for E90 and E92 (3 series). However, some one here claimed the front sway bar works the same for E82 but not the rear. So, I am not sure now whether it is 100% fit on our car. The reason I say this is based on after installing the stock end links, I still noticed the end line bolts have to tilt down an angel to be able to connect to the end links. I expected it to be 90 degree but not tilted like 120 degree. I am going to take pictures over this weekend about my broken end links, the stock links installed with Hotchkis on my car, and stock links installed with stock sway bar on our car (which I have to go to dealer lot on Sunday to take pictures). So, please stay tune for pictures. Also, if some one can post pictures about how the end links look with the Hotchkis installed. I would appreciate it very much. Thanks. __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
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06-26-2009, 03:36 PM	#10
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	More end link issues with lowerd car: http://blogs.eurotuner.com/6467795/e...nks/index.html __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
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06-26-2009, 06:45 PM	#11
supracg Banned 7 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: potomac iTrader: (0)	Thats not even the hotchkis but the h&r..weird....
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06-26-2009, 10:20 PM	#12
akak1997 Major 63 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: BMW 135 @ 135mph Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	I've their endlinks installed as well, and my rubber seal is ripped and it's grease all over that area... I'm gonna get some new one soon... something like this from Mason. Let me know if anyone else is interested
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06-27-2009, 03:06 PM	#13
supracg Banned 7 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: potomac iTrader: (0)	Hm how much do you think those will run for
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06-28-2009, 09:09 AM	#15
cagekicker Major 16 Rep 1,335 Posts Drives: '09 crimson red 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: miami (vice city) fl. iTrader: (0)	good info! __________________ 6MT/ Sport Package/ N54/ Asa wheels/ Eibach pro kit springs/ Active autowerke Exhaust/ 35% tint
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06-28-2009, 10:17 AM	#16
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	Pictures showed my busted Hotchkis end links ... Attached Images __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
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06-28-2009, 11:58 AM	#17
akak1997 Major 63 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: BMW 135 @ 135mph Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	^ that's exactly the same broken seal I've. I just didn't bother to uninstall the end links yet. I left my stock ones are at Mason for him to do R&D.
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06-29-2009, 06:10 PM	#18
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	Although there is no issue with the stock end links, I still wanted to warn you guys do not install the supplied adjustable end link unless you know how to adjust it right; else busted rubber seals like mine. Great product and enjoy. __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
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10-21-2021, 05:35 AM	#19
CharsadehBEAST Private First Class 28 Rep 124 Posts Drives: Minivan Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: NorCal/East Bay iTrader: (0)	Just installed the Hotchkis front bar and immediately hearing a clunking sound only when steering wheel is at full lock otherwise it's working great. Tech made sure to grease the bushings up. Anyone else experienced this specific scenario? I have TCKline coils, Swift Springs, and M3 control arms.
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10-21-2021, 09:26 AM	#20
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,893 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	All the booted links like this fail quickly. I went back to OEM lemforder. Have 1M links on but not sure if that would fit for everyone as I also have F8x M front uprights as opposed to the nonM E8x stock variant. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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10-21-2021, 10:43 AM	#21
gjm120 Colonel 2182 Rep 2,806 Posts Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: East Texas iTrader: (1)	I've had Whiteline front adjustable endlinks with abt 4,200 miles and so far ok. __________________ E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
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10-22-2021, 01:55 PM	#22
jsigone Private 90 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 13' C63, 12' 135i Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	I had whiteline rear end link snap on my EVO X, whiteline rear bar in middle setting. Last a long time though. Installed another set of them and didn't have issues and had single one for spare incase I was far from home At least they are a pretty easy to access part. Ask the MFG for replacement boots, they should be cheaper then new arms. Maybe adjust the long next time, you have to have tire on the ground/blocks to set them up right.
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