Endlinks: Perrin vs. Cobb

GaToR · Post by **GaToR** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 12:21 pm

I'll be the first to agree with many reviewers that the body roll is a weak point on the stock LGT. My first effort to deal with this problem has been completed:
1) Progress rear anti-sway bar
2) Cobb rear endlinks
3) Perrin front endlinks

If you are wondering why I mixed it up with the endlinks:
1) The Perrin rears use blastic bearings, Cobbs are stainless. So only the Cobbs would do in the rear
2) Both Perrin and Cobb fronts use stainless bearings with tremendous static load ratings
3) Perrins are about $30 cheaper, so being a cheap-ass I switched to Perrins in the front just to save some coin

The comparison were as follows:
1) The Cobbs are very easy to install. The entire assembly consisted of a bolt, 2 identical spacers with rubber bushings that go on either side of the bearing, and lock-nut.
2) The Perrins were much more complicated. The order of assembly went bolt, lock-washer, bearing, spacer, swaybar, flat washer, lock-washer, nut.

Since both of these were installed on the ground, without jackstands, I found it very easy to hold the spacers in the Cobb bearing and insert the bolt through the swaybar and twist on the nut. The Perrins, however, took Darrin and I much longer to memorize the order, handle all the pieces, and twist them on without dropping a nut or washer.

Results: these mini-modifications did make a difference in the suspension feel on the LGT and I would recommend it to anyone complaining of body roll. Both endlinks are of superior quality aluminum and strong enough to reduce ant-swaybar twist. However, having handled both I would rather have spent the extra $30 and saved an hour's worth of assembly.

Mr Kleen · Post by **Mr Kleen** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 12:47 pm

I've got a progress rear sway on my WRX. I went with Kartboy endlinks. I'm sticking with the stock front sway/endlinks for the time being.

glad you're enjoying the upgrade.

drwrx · Post by **drwrx** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:53 pm

I have to say, that the rear sway-bar and end-links have helped out the sloppiness of the rear on the LGT. It is noticeable, even from the passenger seat. The front end-links are less noticeable, at least from my perspective. But it's a small price for a marked improvement.

GaToR · Post by **GaToR** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 9:30 pm

Mr Kleen wrote:I'm sticking with the stock front sway/endlinks for the time being.

I kept the stock front sway on mine as well because it was about 2x the thickness of the rear sway on the LGT.

Post by **Sabre** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 11:22 am

Nice write up, thanks!

The rear sway and Kart Boy endlinks in my STI made a noticeable difference as well. I hear a front sway on the STI is good as well, but it's a PITA to do.

GaToR · Post by **GaToR** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 12:14 pm

Sabre wrote:I hear a front sway on the STI is good as well, but it's a PITA to do.

Those were my thoughts as well, so I gambled and tried to get the most out of the torsional stiffness of the stock front sway. The thickness looks adequate, but the stock links weren't taught enough to get it to matter. We noticed as we were cranking on the Perrin endlink bolts, the links were creating increased torque between the suspension and the sway. You can see how contorted the Perrins are even at rest on level ground.

So in theory the front sway should be more well utilized now. I thought it made a noticeable difference, but that probably depends on the car/setup.

Post by **Sabre** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 12:24 pm

legasleeper wrote:So in theory the front sway should be more well utilized now. I thought it made a noticeable difference, but that probably depends on the car/setup.

Makes perfect sense what you did

I wish Kartboy (last time I checked) made front endlinks

The weight distrib and strut/spring rates will greatly affect how much difference a front sway makes.

spazegun2213 · Post by **spazegun2213** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 12:44 pm

Sabre wrote: Makes perfect sense what you did I wish Kartboy (last time I checked) made front endlinks The weight distrib and strut/spring rates will greatly affect how much difference a front sway makes.

KB does make front endlinks for our cars

they are the same as the rear endlinks.. its a common misconception. KB designed their endlinks as front endlinks, and people started using them as rears when people found out they could.

GaToR · Post by **GaToR** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:51 pm

spazegun2213 wrote: KB designed their endlinks as front endlinks, and people started using them as rears when people found out they could.

Are they the same length on the STI front and rear? The rears were a good 1+" longer on my LGT.

spazegun2213 · Post by **spazegun2213** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:36 pm

legasleeper wrote:
spazegun2213 wrote: KB designed their endlinks as front endlinks, and people started using them as rears when people found out they could.
Are they the same length on the STI front and rear? The rears were a good 1+" longer on my LGT.

they are not the same, but they are within 1/2" from one another.. so they are interchangeable.

yea, on the wrx and others they are not even close to the same.