I recently replaced all the sway bar endlinks on my 95 Trans with Energy suspension peices. While installing the front end links I realized that the spacers they provide with the end link kit (9.8118G) were significantly longer then the stock peices. I reused the stock spacer with the new bushings and bolt/nut. The bushing / spacer combo with the new bushings were the same length as the with the original bushings. Was there a reason that the kits spacer was longer, should I have used it?

Also, they don't offer a kit for the rear end links but if you use the same kit 9.8118G for the rear and reuse the original spacer it seems to work just as well.

 

I redid all the end links and sway bar bushings on my Z on March 19 (deployed March 20 ) so I still have the memory of what a major hassle it was to get the "right" parts from Autozone fresh in my mind! The rear links were a PITA; I had to have a strong friend hold the pieces together while I started the nut on top with my fingers, that urethane is pretty unforgiving. Long story short, I used the stock length spacers too, same length front and rear. I could be wrong, but I think the longer spacers were probably to "load" the bushings (urethane obviously able to take more "preload" than the stock rubber bushings) and maybe increase road feel a little bit. So, I think you made the right choice if you want your ride to stay smooth but more reliable than the stock rubber bushings (I do like the design of the stock bushing though). I can't wait to get back stateside and try out my newly upgraded suspension. This will be my first crack at a urethane suspension (my T/A had graphite, but it wasn't as posh as my Z ). If I were you I'd keep the short spacers until you get a definite answer as to why they send longer ones in the kit and you decide then what you want to do.

 

I did the Energy Suspension "Master Set" (#3-18114) for the 4th Gen F-Body, and they included end-link kits for both the front and rear sway bars. I don't recall a mismatch on the length.

Front:
-part # 15.023 (9/16" OD x 3/8" ID x 2.900" sleeve).
-part # 15.504 (3/8"-16 x 7.0" bolt)

Rear:
-part # 15.063 (same OD and ID, but 2.200" sleeve).
-part # 15.503 (3/8"-16 x 6.0" bolt).

 

Its because of consolidation. That end link kit "fits" several other vehicles as well. Older Chevelles, Camaros and other stuff. You could have cut their spacer to match your old one. The general idea is to have the arms of the bar parallel to the ground at ride height.

 

I jsut put the fronts on saturday, I didn't look at the sleeves but I eyeballed the lengths and they were the same...


Either way my car felt alot tighter in the fornt end Course I stripped the threads on one of my endlinks

 

I need to take the rears off and grease them because they're squeaking a bit so i'll take a look at them and make sure they're parallel.