Broken Front Endlinks after Caster Lock Install - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

billis79 · 04-08-2018, 07:21 PM

Hello,
I had an issue after I installed caster locks on my 2013 Camaro. Basically the new position seemed to cause a bind and broke both front endlinks when the wheel was turned to full lock. I have Ridetech coil overs with the endlinks that came their kit and BMR Swaybars. Not sure if anyone else has had a similar issue and what you did to fix it. I am guessing the solution is to use stronger adjustable endlinks (installing at full lock to get the right length). Just curious if anyone else had a similar experience. I didn't think to check these after the install.

cdb95z28 · 04-08-2018, 09:07 PM

I had the RideTechs at one time, those are their old version endlinks. Mine were bent, they designed new endlinks. Get in touch with them, you have the 1 million mile warranty, they’ll send you the new endlinks.

It is odd that they broke after you added caster. But adding caster via the caster blocks pulls the bottom of the strut forward, which (very slightly) changes the angle of the end link to strut.

And, In the second pic, it looks as though that endlink has a bend in it. I think the adjustable BMR ARB may also be contributing to an odd angle since the hole in the ARB that you have the endlink in pulls the end link. The endlink motion should be vertical without any (excessive)lateral force.

cdb95z28 · 04-08-2018, 09:24 PM

See this link for a pic of the new design end links

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472453

VR Baron · 04-08-2018, 10:00 PM

The new ridetech endlinks are stuat. They look like bmr endlinks �� also and may have nothing to do with it, but it appears your upper link is attached backwards? The new links at least are installed with the endlink stud facing forward.

billis79 · 04-09-2018, 06:49 AM

Awesome, I will give Ridetech a call and see if they will send me the new style endlinks!
Thanks!!

cdb95z28 · 04-09-2018, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR Baron

The new ridetech endlinks are stuat. They look like bmr endlinks �� also and may have nothing to do with it, but it appears your upper link is attached backwards? The new links at least are installed with the endlink stud facing forward.

Good catch. The orientation is important.

billis79 · 04-09-2018, 09:36 AM

Ridetech is going to send me new ones, appreciate the tip on the update. Hopefully I don't break these too.

cdb95z28 · 04-10-2018, 09:01 PM

Cool, just double check the orientation.

billis79 · 04-11-2018, 09:00 AM

I'm pretty sure the orientation was the problem, I also noticed the swaybar had shifted either from the mounts being loose, or from torquing the Radius Arm or the bind from the orientation. Either way I had put it back and was able to make one temporary endlink from the two broken ones and it fit without issues on both sides lock to lock. Once I get the replacements I will know for sure.

VR Baron · 04-11-2018, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billis79

I'm pretty sure the orientation was the problem, I also noticed the swaybar had shifted either from the mounts being loose, or from torquing the Radius Arm or the bind from the orientation. Either way I had put it back and was able to make one temporary endlink from the two broken ones and it fit without issues on both sides lock to lock. Once I get the replacements I will know for sure.

Embarrassing as it is, I installed them wrong at first. I didn’t pay close enough attention to the picture in the instructions that they are installed opposite off all other shocks or coilovers. Three of the bolts loosened and popped out. They are now loctited in and are not moving. Same thing happened to a friend, twice. Loctite on his and no issues. Not what happened to you, but maybe the new endlinks being stronger cussed it vs breaking the links first

04-08-2018, 07:21 PM	#1
billis79 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Geneseo, IL Posts: 21	Broken Front Endlinks after Caster Lock Install Hello, I had an issue after I installed caster locks on my 2013 Camaro. Basically the new position seemed to cause a bind and broke both front endlinks when the wheel was turned to full lock. I have Ridetech coil overs with the endlinks that came their kit and BMR Swaybars. Not sure if anyone else has had a similar issue and what you did to fix it. I am guessing the solution is to use stronger adjustable endlinks (installing at full lock to get the right length). Just curious if anyone else had a similar experience. I didn't think to check these after the install. Attached Images

04-08-2018, 09:07 PM	#2
cdb95z28 Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 3,773	I had the RideTechs at one time, those are their old version endlinks. Mine were bent, they designed new endlinks. Get in touch with them, you have the 1 million mile warranty, they’ll send you the new endlinks. It is odd that they broke after you added caster. But adding caster via the caster blocks pulls the bottom of the strut forward, which (very slightly) changes the angle of the end link to strut. And, In the second pic, it looks as though that endlink has a bend in it. I think the adjustable BMR ARB may also be contributing to an odd angle since the hole in the ARB that you have the endlink in pulls the end link. The endlink motion should be vertical without any (excessive)lateral force. __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR2014 1SS 1LE NPP RECARO SIM-SOLD1995 Z28 M6 GSC PGM-SOLD1975 NOVA COUPE 300HP 350 TH350 FLASH RED-SOLD "KEEP THE FAITH"-Fbodfather

04-08-2018, 09:24 PM	#3
cdb95z28 Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 3,773	See this link for a pic of the new design end links http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472453 __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR2014 1SS 1LE NPP RECARO SIM-SOLD1995 Z28 M6 GSC PGM-SOLD1975 NOVA COUPE 300HP 350 TH350 FLASH RED-SOLD "KEEP THE FAITH"-Fbodfather

04-10-2018, 09:01 PM	#8
cdb95z28 Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 3,773	Cool, just double check the orientation. __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR2014 1SS 1LE NPP RECARO SIM-SOLD1995 Z28 M6 GSC PGM-SOLD1975 NOVA COUPE 300HP 350 TH350 FLASH RED-SOLD "KEEP THE FAITH"-Fbodfather

04-08-2018, 10:00 PM	#4
VR Baron SoCal Camaro5 Race Team Drives: 2021 Shadow Grey Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SO CAL Posts: 14,367	The new ridetech endlinks are stuat. They look like bmr endlinks �� also and may have nothing to do with it, but it appears your upper link is attached backwards? The new links at least are installed with the endlink stud facing forward.

04-09-2018, 06:49 AM	#5
billis79 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Geneseo, IL Posts: 21	Awesome, I will give Ridetech a call and see if they will send me the new style endlinks! Thanks!!

04-09-2018, 09:36 AM	#7
billis79 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Geneseo, IL Posts: 21	Ridetech is going to send me new ones, appreciate the tip on the update. Hopefully I don't break these too.

04-11-2018, 09:00 AM	#9
billis79 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Geneseo, IL Posts: 21	I'm pretty sure the orientation was the problem, I also noticed the swaybar had shifted either from the mounts being loose, or from torquing the Radius Arm or the bind from the orientation. Either way I had put it back and was able to make one temporary endlink from the two broken ones and it fit without issues on both sides lock to lock. Once I get the replacements I will know for sure.