Whiteline 27/29 Front bar issue, please help!

[alltracin]

Hello,
I am running a 2006 wrx in DS. I have 245/45/17 V710s, the big whiteline front sway bar, spherical bearing adjustable endlinks, and some other non-pertinent mods. At my autocross yesterday the front sway bar "flipped over" during my first run. Meaning...the "horns" of the bar that are meant to be vertical, were horizontal. This also meant the endlinks were horizontal, and the bar became useless. (If anyone still doesn't believe a large bar does wonders, wait until you no longer have any bar at all! understeer heaven) I jacked up on the endlink until the bar, very forcefully flipped back around. Same thing next run. I lengthened my endlinks two turns, and it flipped again, but took longer. Lengthened again, and it took until my third run to flip. I'm assuming if I keep going on the links that it will eventually stop, but then I am running right on the edge, and it could happen at an extremely inconvenient time (read: nationals) Has anyone ever heard of this happening, and if so, what can I do to prevent it?? Thanks,
a very annoyed class winner

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[seattle944t]

Sounds like you have your endlinks too short - if the endlinks are long enough there is no way the front bar can flip, unless there is something different about the 06.
What adjustables do you have?

P.S. I didn't think that adjustable links were allowed in DS, but its been a while since I autocrossed. (looking at the rules - I'd say section 13.7 item A-4 would rule out adjustables)

[alltracin]

Interesting. I'll have to check into that further, as that could be a serious problem in about a month if they aren't! oye! I wonder if the bar will still flip with the stock units. And, thanks a bunch for the fast response.

edit: I'm not sure they will be illegal. The strano bar hasn't had an issue and it completely changes the endlink design. Is it just the adjustability factor that you think makes it illegal?

[nater]

I have the 27/29mm bar on my 06 wrx. How long are your endlinks compaired to the stock endlinks? I have the stock ones on mine, and have never had the bar flip. But it does sound like they are too short...

[alltracin]

I initially set them the same length as stock, and have gone longer from there. It doesn't happen with my street tires, so if you aren't running big R-comps I doubt it'll happen for you

[alltracin]

Ok the endlinks are allowed in stock. As I thought. Legnthen them more, got it, thanks

[jamesohoh7]

Originally Posted by alltracin

Ok the endlinks are allowed in stock. As I thought. Legnthen them more, got it, thanks

keep us posted on the progress. I've never seen a front bar flip either, but I've also never run 710's ( I'm an ST wuss ) ... zany stuff, but I believe all manner of wacky things can happen with really sticky tires. I know a guy who's a-arm was cracked by the Strano bar (and is supposed to be getting resolved there-with)... he is in DS on 710s.

[alltracin]

Will do. He's actually broken two, and I race against him fairly regularly Hense why I got the Whiteline, and my own problems! haha

edit: probably a different guy as you're in TX, but same situation

[jamesohoh7]

Originally Posted by alltracin

Will do. He's actually broken two, and I race against him fairly regularly Hense why I got the Whiteline, and my own problems! haha

edit: probably a different guy as you're in TX, but same situation

yep, in Houston, but yes, sounds like the same kind of issue. I hope they get it fixed up as well!

[Turn in Concepts]

I also have never heard of this and have installed and run many cars with that bar. Very interesting.

[alltracin]

I should note that the ripken stadium lot has a lot of elevation change. It upset the car a lot, and I noticed most of the time that it popped, it was while going over a crest.

[Impreza01]

Ironically, I use Perrin front endlinks, which are shorter at the attachment points than the OEM endlinks. I've never had my bar walk.

[WL Flatout]

Alltracin,

What is the actuall part number of the sway bar that you have fitted to your vehicle ?

Wayne C

[STi-MAN]

I've never had an issue of the front bar flipping either... maybe you are running the older 27/29mm bar, which i believe was only compatible with the 04 sti's?

[alltracin]

Originally Posted by WL Flatout

Alltracin,

What is the actuall part number of the sway bar that you have fitted to your vehicle ?

Wayne C

I'll double check the stamp on the bar when I get home from work.

[cr125r]

weird, i have the same bar and endlinks on my 06 and it works great for me. I made the endlinks the same length as stock and have never had a problem. Are you sure the bushings are tight enough as well?

[Scooby921]

Originally Posted by WL Flatout

Alltracin,

What is the actuall part number of the sway bar that you have fitted to your vehicle ?

Wayne C

Judging by the screenname, this is your best option...getting help from the source.

I hope its not a wrong bar...that would be pretty frustrating.

[alltracin]

The bar ends in 33XXZ which is about as much as I couuld read without digging into the car too much. But that's the important part I see, which means it is the right part. Whiteline I'm going to PM you too.

[alltracin]

Originally Posted by cr125r

weird, i have the same bar and endlinks on my 06 and it works great for me. I made the endlinks the same length as stock and have never had a problem. Are you sure the bushings are tight enough as well?

Are you on R-comps? Mine doesn't flip on street tires.

[DrBiggly]

alltracin,
Whose endlinks are you using? I don't see why that should affect the bar into flipping but as far as I know of you are the first to have this happen in any DS Subaru. Do you have the stock endlinks still? Although I can't imagine why the stock ones would do something different I can't think of an alternate solution at this point. I'm quite confused; definitely would like to hear what happens as you progress.

-Biggly

[alltracin]

I have the whiteline spherical bearing adjustables. I still have the stock bar and links. I have a 24 hour event this weekend where I WILL be figuring this problem out, even if it involves putting the stock bar back on

[WL Flatout]

Alltracin,

It appears that you have the correct part number for an 06 WRX sedan.
Is there any chance that you can take a couple of pictures of the swaybar and end-links mounted on the vehicle at normal ride height (from a couple of different angles if possible) and e-mail them to me at wayne@whiteline.com.au , I can then have a good look and see if there is anything noticable that is causing this problem and hopefully come up with a solution for you before your next event.

Cheers
Wayne C

[alltracin]

Will do, but it is dark out now. Tomorrow as soon as I get home from work you'll have mail (about 3:30 Eastern Standard Time)

[DrBiggly]

Originally Posted by alltracin

I have the whiteline spherical bearing adjustables. I still have the stock bar and links. I have a 24 hour event this weekend where I WILL be figuring this problem out, even if it involves putting the stock bar back on

I'll be at the 24hr. If you can replicate the problem there, I'll ride with you and see if I can provide some assistance. In person is always better than on teh internets.

-Biggly

[alltracin]

Wayne, email is sent. Thank you

Biggly, look me up at the 24 hours either way, I'd like to meet you. Just make sure you tell me your forum name or I'll meet you and never know it was you