SPL Front End link Problem

Mitco39 · 07-26-2014, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14BlackCherry

7/25/14: Alright so just another quick update to this response: (Alright guys quick update the problem is fixed. I sent these pictures to Pat at SPL. He stated that the articulation looked fine no issues. So he asked to lube the bushings and tighten the nut holding the swaybar to the link. So I lube the bushings with some Teflon lubrication, and torqued the bottom nut to make sure it was 62lbs per service manual. I also re-torqued the swaybar brackets for good measure. Everything works now no noise. I have some more autocross events so we'll see if the nuts loosen.)

So two days after this post the noise came back. This time I decided to go buy some locking nuts from Lowes. I changed them out and no noise for over a month now. When I removed the nuts that came with the endlinks I could see threads that looked like they were messed up.

The locking nuts I bought from Lowes are $0.90 cents and are working beautifully. I have an AutoX event this Sunday so we'll see what happens.

Awesome glad to hear because when I tighten mine its good for a day or so but then it comes back. I will go buy some locking nuts and do as you did.

Thanks for doing the digging on this.

14BlackCherry · 07-27-2014, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitco39

Awesome glad to hear because when I tighten mine its good for a day or so but then it comes back. I will go buy some locking nuts and do as you did.

Thanks for doing the digging on this.

Yea not a problem. Just glad they're working. I have an autox event tomorrow so we'll see how they do.

14BlackCherry · 02-06-2015, 06:52 AM

Just a quick update:

My SPL end-links are not making any noise to date. That's after finishing the summer season locally and nationals. So if your end links make noise check the locking nuts and make sure to keep the links lubed properly w/lithium grease.

boosted180 · 02-07-2015, 03:08 PM

Thanks for your post. I have the exact same problem (with the noise), but I don't think my nuts are loose. But I'll check again to make sure.

Do you happen to have the specs (or part number) on the lock-nuts?

boosted180 · 02-13-2015, 12:29 PM

Problem fixed! I just greased the endlink bolts, then tightened them down really good and that was enough for the noise to go away completely. Finally - after almost 2 years of that annoying noise! Thanks for the post!

kenchan · 02-13-2015, 12:56 PM

dang, i dont think i could stand even a few min of rattling if that was on my Z.... would u-turn back into my garage and fixed it right then.

boosted180 · 02-13-2015, 07:44 PM

Believe me, it bothered me so much that I hardly even drove the car the past 2 years and stopped doing track days. I took it to 4 different mechanics and no one could figure it out. They all torqued everything to spec, but the problem is that for this particular sway bar/ endlink, spec is NOT enough, apparently. After lubing it, I tightened it as tight as I could and it fixed the problem. It was not loose before, just not SUPER TIGHT. And I guess it needed to be super tight to prevent the clunking.

14BlackCherry · 02-05-2016, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boosted180

Believe me, it bothered me so much that I hardly even drove the car the past 2 years and stopped doing track days. I took it to 4 different mechanics and no one could figure it out. They all torqued everything to spec, but the problem is that for this particular sway bar/ endlink, spec is NOT enough, apparently. After lubing it, I tightened it as tight as I could and it fixed the problem. It was not loose before, just not SUPER TIGHT. And I guess it needed to be super tight to prevent the clunking.

What lubricant did you use and did you use the torque spec from SPL? I'll make a video capturing the noise and see if it's the same issue I'm experiencing again.

Justint5387 · 03-19-2018, 10:38 AM

Do you guys know the thread pitch you need for the locking nut?

Justint5387 · 03-20-2018, 03:43 PM

I bought one at Lowe's yesterday, the thread pitch is 1/2-13

Spooler · 03-23-2018, 02:29 PM

Mine rattle too. I am going to try the Lithium grease this weekend when I do my oil change.

Rusty · 03-23-2018, 03:48 PM

This last go around of maintenance. I found both of the nuts backed off alittle and the bolt was loose. Causing my rattle. I cranked down on the nuts this time.

Spooler · 03-23-2018, 04:39 PM

I did that last time.

Loges · 04-17-2018, 04:37 PM

I recently installed SPL front end links with Eibach sway bars and it appears that the end link kit has changed slightly over time while the instructions have not. Here is the list of issues that I ran into and their solutions. Hopefully this helps somebody with the install in the future.

1) The torque values listed in the SPL install instructions are VERY low compared to what the FSM calls out (50ft-lbs VS 120ft-lbs

). Upon searching the forum I found this thread: SPL Pro End Links
It explains that the instructions were written using 350Z torque specs. OP called SPL and they confirmed that the 370Z FSM torque specs are ok to use. For reference here is a screen shot from the FSM with torque specs :

2) The fastener/component order for the spacers and washers in the assembly view in the SPL instructions aren't in the correct order.

I emailed SPL and they confirmed the order to be as follows:

3) Sway bar hex nuts loosening over time: I haven't experienced this issue myself but if you look around on the forum a lot of people have. I think SPL modified their kit recently to address this issue though. If you look at the part description for item number 6 it calls out that it's an oval lock flange nut instead of a standard nut. So, if you have a newer kit you may not need to buy locking hex nuts like others have had to. But obviously if the clunking starts then this would be the first place I would start.

Hope this helps guys!

Hotrodz · 04-17-2018, 11:27 PM

Thanks for the update as this is very timely for me as I am replacing my old spl endlinks in the next week. You have been reped!

02-06-2015, 06:52 AM	#18 (permalink)
14BlackCherry Base Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Colorado Age: 37 Posts: 178 Drives: 14 Nissan 370z BC M6 Rep Power: 11	Just a quick update: My SPL end-links are not making any noise to date. That's after finishing the summer season locally and nationals. So if your end links make noise check the locking nuts and make sure to keep the links lubed properly w/lithium grease. 2011 Nismo#91, zefaulter and KapitalZ like this. Last edited by 14BlackCherry; 02-06-2015 at 06:55 AM.

03-20-2018, 03:43 PM	#25 (permalink)
Justint5387 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 188 Drives: 2016 370z Silver 6MT Rep Power: 12	I bought one at Lowe's yesterday, the thread pitch is 1/2-13 JARblue and Rusty like this.

03-23-2018, 03:48 PM	#27 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,264 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684438	This last go around of maintenance. I found both of the nuts backed off alittle and the bolt was loose. Causing my rattle. I cranked down on the nuts this time. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

04-17-2018, 04:37 PM	#29 (permalink)
Loges Base Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 233 Drives: 14 SR 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 93	I recently installed SPL front end links with Eibach sway bars and it appears that the end link kit has changed slightly over time while the instructions have not. Here is the list of issues that I ran into and their solutions. Hopefully this helps somebody with the install in the future. 1) The torque values listed in the SPL install instructions are VERY low compared to what the FSM calls out (50ft-lbs VS 120ft-lbs ). Upon searching the forum I found this thread: SPL Pro End Links It explains that the instructions were written using 350Z torque specs. OP called SPL and they confirmed that the 370Z FSM torque specs are ok to use. For reference here is a screen shot from the FSM with torque specs : 2) The fastener/component order for the spacers and washers in the assembly view in the SPL instructions aren't in the correct order. I emailed SPL and they confirmed the order to be as follows: 3) Sway bar hex nuts loosening over time: I haven't experienced this issue myself but if you look around on the forum a lot of people have. I think SPL modified their kit recently to address this issue though. If you look at the part description for item number 6 it calls out that it's an oval lock flange nut instead of a standard nut. So, if you have a newer kit you may not need to buy locking hex nuts like others have had to. But obviously if the clunking starts then this would be the first place I would start. Hope this helps guys! cv129, Rusty, Hotrodz and 3 others like this. __________________ MOTORDYNE // AAM COMPETITION // KW // SPL // STILLEN // FUJIMURA // POWERTRIX // DYNOSTY // ECUTEK // WORK EMOTION CR2P // Z1 MOTORSPORTS // ZSPEED // EIBACH // DEWLA DEZIGN // SETRAB // TOP SECRET // TOMMYKAIRA // AEROWORKZ // SHINE AUTO PROJECT

04-17-2018, 11:27 PM	#30 (permalink)
Hotrodz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NW, AZ Posts: 9,330 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 2684385	Thanks for the update as this is very timely for me as I am replacing my old spl endlinks in the next week. You have been reped! Rusty and Loges like this. __________________ *Fast Intentions TT Installed and Tuned by Seb at SpecialtyZ 610whp 560tq:\|Fast Intentions 3" TT-TDX*\|SpecialtyZ/Fast Intentions 72 Row Oil Cooler\|SZ 6 Puck Clutch & Flywheel\|3GsCustoms\|Z1\|Wavetrac\|Hotchkis\|Whiteline \|Blitz\|Fortune Auto 500\|Fujimura\|SPL\|H&R\|TK\|TWM\|RPM Rollbar\|Sparco\|Next Level Performance\|TrackSpec\|AeroFlow Dynamics\|Pioneer\|

02-07-2015, 03:08 PM	#19 (permalink)
boosted180 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: long beach Posts: 188 Drives: '09 370z sport 6m Rep Power: 16	Thanks for your post. I have the exact same problem (with the noise), but I don't think my nuts are loose. But I'll check again to make sure. Do you happen to have the specs (or part number) on the lock-nuts?

02-13-2015, 12:29 PM	#20 (permalink)
boosted180 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: long beach Posts: 188 Drives: '09 370z sport 6m Rep Power: 16	Problem fixed! I just greased the endlink bolts, then tightened them down really good and that was enough for the noise to go away completely. Finally - after almost 2 years of that annoying noise! Thanks for the post!

02-13-2015, 12:56 PM	#21 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	dang, i dont think i could stand even a few min of rattling if that was on my Z.... would u-turn back into my garage and fixed it right then.

02-13-2015, 07:44 PM	#22 (permalink)
boosted180 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: long beach Posts: 188 Drives: '09 370z sport 6m Rep Power: 16	Believe me, it bothered me so much that I hardly even drove the car the past 2 years and stopped doing track days. I took it to 4 different mechanics and no one could figure it out. They all torqued everything to spec, but the problem is that for this particular sway bar/ endlink, spec is NOT enough, apparently. After lubing it, I tightened it as tight as I could and it fixed the problem. It was not loose before, just not SUPER TIGHT. And I guess it needed to be super tight to prevent the clunking.

03-19-2018, 10:38 AM	#24 (permalink)
Justint5387 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 188 Drives: 2016 370z Silver 6MT Rep Power: 12	Do you guys know the thread pitch you need for the locking nut?

03-23-2018, 02:29 PM	#26 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,871 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684392	Mine rattle too. I am going to try the Lithium grease this weekend when I do my oil change.

03-23-2018, 04:39 PM	#28 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,871 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684392	I did that last time.

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