E36 Sway Bar confusion!

Join DateJan 2013LocationBelco, AustraliaPosts29My Cars1993 E36 318i

Hi all,

I was under the impression that control arm link & strut link E36 sway bars are actually the same shape. Please correct me if this is wrong.

In the case that this is correct, why does Whiteline sell a different kit for each mounting configuration, with the control arm link setup having extra mounting parts?

Please see these for reference:
Strut link model: http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?part_number=BBF38Z
Control arm link model: http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?part_number=BBF39Z

Any input on this would be great, as I'm unwilling to throw my money away if I don't have to...

Join DateOct 2013LocationSouthern MarylandPosts69My Cars1998 BMW 323is

According to the awesome suspension overhaul write up by EvilSpoonman:

"On the 3-Series the forward sway bar attaches to the control arm via endlinks, and then brackets up to the undercarriage via bushings. The M3 (and certain 325i) uses longer links that bolt to the struts. The front bar itself is the same. Rear swaybars are the same across all non-ti E36s. They are affixed to the upper wishbone via links, and bracket to the subframe. The M3's front geometry allows the sway bar more mechanical leverage than the control arm link design. Thus an equally sized bar on the M3 is effectively substantially stiffer. It is advisable that when using front swaybars across models you use adjustable aftermarket swaybar links, OEM may not always adapt properly."

Join DateJan 2013LocationBelco, AustraliaPosts29My Cars1993 E36 318i

Cool, thanks for that.

As for: "It is advisable that when using front swaybars across models you use adjustable aftermarket swaybar links, OEM may not always adapt properly."
I wonder if this means between M3 & non-M3 when referring to "across models", or something else?

Join DateOct 2013LocationSouthern MarylandPosts69My Cars1998 BMW 323is

Cool, thanks for that.

As for: "It is advisable that when using front swaybars across models you use adjustable aftermarket swaybar links, OEM may not always adapt properly."
I wonder if this means between M3 & non-M3 when referring to "across models", or something else?

As the M and non-M came with the same bar, I take his use of the term "across models" to mean "regardless of E36 model". Of course I could be wrong...

Join DateJan 2013LocationBelco, AustraliaPosts29My Cars1993 E36 318i

Okay, I've just figured this out after looking at my links & how they mount.

It makes sense that without the extra mounting hardware, you cannot move between the different settings on this bar (due to the 90 degree offset of the standard link points & it's inability to compensate for the forward or rearward change in mounting position with regards to the bar).

So what we have here is a 27mm sway bay that is either not adjustable (for control arm link setups), or at further cost (for the extra hardware) is adjustable?

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