Longer sway bar end links for front - better handling questions

[BeenChevy]

*Update* the +1 3500HD front end links rusted out and of course the bolt snapped upon removal.

I'm going to make my own adjustable's picking up parts from the hardware store - does anyone have good knowledge on determining the proper height?

 

[Tonyrodz]

*Update* the +1 3500HD front end links rusted out and of course the bolt snapped upon removal.

I'm going to make my own adjustable's picking up parts from the hardware store - does anyone have good knowledge on determining the proper height?

How old were they that they rusted and broke? Ac Delco parts?

 

[BeenChevy]

Year and a half.. have two other sets, one older, one newer. All 3 sets the powder coating is flaking off.

Bolt snapped right above the threads (swaybar side)

 

[Tonyrodz]

Year and a half.. have two other sets, one older, one newer. All 3 sets the powder coating is flaking off.

Bolt snapped right above the threads (swaybar side)

View attachment 207234

Cheap crap! What name brand?

 

[BeenChevy]

The seller ordered me a replacement that arrived next day. The brand name is "SSM".

Looking at the listing now and here's what is written:

NEW AND IMPROVED!! - We have just released our NEW IMPROVED Heavy Duty 1" Longer Sway Bar End Link Kit. This kit now features a 3/4" powder coated solid steel hex bar center section. Larger, correct size, Energy Suspension HYPER-FLEX ™ Performance Polyurethane sway bar end link bushings. These larger bushings are the correct size for the HD sway bar, they are not a universal one size fits all bushing. Bushings are made from a firm polyurethane and provide more overall mass and surface area than a smaller universal bushing. Then we top them off with Grade 8 zinc plated hardware. This unit is far superior than the factory part and will work on a leveled or bone stock truck. End Link Set does both sides. MADE IN THE USA!!!

I'm going to compare side x side and give this set a try.

 

[Rayyy]

The seller ordered me a replacement that arrived next day. The brand name is "SSM".

Looking at the listing now and here's what is written:

NEW AND IMPROVED!! - We have just released our NEW IMPROVED Heavy Duty 1" Longer Sway Bar End Link Kit. This kit now features a 3/4" powder coated solid steel hex bar center section. Larger, correct size, Energy Suspension HYPER-FLEX ™ Performance Polyurethane sway bar end link bushings. These larger bushings are the correct size for the HD sway bar, they are not a universal one size fits all bushing. Bushings are made from a firm polyurethane and provide more overall mass and surface area than a smaller universal bushing. Then we top them off with Grade 8 zinc plated hardware. This unit is far superior than the factory part and will work on a leveled or bone stock truck. End Link Set does both sides. MADE IN THE USA!!!

I'm going to compare side x side and give this set a try.

Hey did you ever install those upgraded 3500HD front sway bar links? How are they holding up?

Are they a good length for a 2.5” front lift?

 

[BeenChevy]

They're still holding up well. A lot of mileage on them.

 

[Rayyy]

They're still holding up well. A lot of mileage on them.

Good to hear... How much of a front level are you running? Would they work for a 2.5" front level?

 

[Rayyy]

So, I found the SSM ones on ebay, and the fitment is for "2011-2019", but the Kryptonite ones say fitment is 1999 to 2019, so the SSM should fit too, ya?

Although, they also say that it "Does NOT fit 1500 Light Duty? ... Are these the same ones you are running on your NBS 1500?

Also, the Kryptonite links are 7.5" and says they're designed for a 0-2" lift... While these SSM ones are only 7", so are these SSM ones too short for a 2.5" lift if even 7.5" links are designed for a 2" lift max??

 

[BeenChevy]

Can those be trimmed? If you haven't already bought em - position your swaybar and take a measurement. Ended up going with different cv's on my trucks as the 3" lift up front puts the stock axles closer to 40degree and was tearing inner boots like a motha. Check out PN: GM8033XTT

 

[Rayyy]

Can those be trimmed? If you haven't already bought em - position your swaybar and take a measurement. Ended up going with different cv's on my trucks as the 3" lift up front puts the stock axles closer to 40degree and was tearing inner boots like a motha. Check out PN: GM8033XTT

Nice find on those CV's... RockAuto has them for $120

I'd still need longer sway bar links and dropped pitman arms though, no?

And do you mean trim the front sway links? Wouldn't I need slightly longer sway bar links (not shortened ones) if I'm installing a 2.5" level front?

 

[Rayyy]

So, I found a few other options for front sway bar links...

Kryptonite (longer version for 7"-9" lift) look like they could be shortened by slicing off the end, same with the Cognito links.



I also found these Nexus links made for Jeep, which are adjustable to fit 2.5" - 6" lift, and would not require any trimming, but not sure about the quality.

 

[BeenChevy]

Yeah I ended up going with the TRAKMOTIVE from RA for my 05 and solved the CV issues.

The Nexus links look like they'd work well for the rear. I ended up buying jeep links for about ~$30 years ago and they're still holding up. Running the cognito links up front on my 15 denali with a MaxxSuspension 2.75"F x 3"R lift. I think they'd work well on your 01 XL depending on the lower control arm. You'll need to make sure there's enough room for the clevis end to attach. You also want to be able to rotate the base of the clevis to match the angle of your front shock or the lower bushing will deform and fail pre-maturely.

These were my angles prior to swapping the CV's on the 05 and a photo of what the end links look I bought off evil bay. They're the 7" or +1 for 11-19 Silverado HD. They fit fine but I could have gone an inch shorter. You'll also want to make sure to add jounce spacers for the jounce stops to rest on as your truck sits on flat ground. I believe I went with 1" on the Tahoe but it's a Z71 and had the longer jounce stops. You might have to buy the longer stops and then add spacers..

Thank standard size pitman & idler arm worked fine. Pretty sure I went cheap on these as well... and they've held of fine over the last 5 years, no issues:

 

[Rayyy]

Wow your setup is looking robust, very nice. Are those the updated SSM sway bar links?

I just ordered these adjustable links (below), which have the pivoting mounting point, but looks like the fixed ones on yours have the sway bar pretty darn level. I'm only lifting 2.5" (max spec for the front Bilstein 5100 without shock extenders), so would like to get the sway bar geometry just right, and although these links are 8" at shortest length, I can trim down some if needed to dial them in perfectly (Cognito are 7" and Kryptonite are 7.5", which according to them is too short for 2.5" lift, so hoping this 8" link will be just right)

Which shocks are you running??

 

[BeenChevy]

Hopefully those will do the trick. The pivoting links make things feel a lot more stable. Anxious to see how those work out for ya.

Running 5100's all the way around on the 05.. the 01 slt is running nivomats with extensions.

 

[Rayyy]

Indeed I hope so too... I also scored some Rare Parts Extreme Duty tie rod ends and those extra articulating CV's on eBay (open box discount). I'll post photos once I get it buttoned up.