Group A Performance Endlink Install (2004 STi)

[409industries]

So i tried to do my own endlink install, but didnt have all the tools i needed! I learned a few things though. Over torqued bolts are impossible to deal with, and also that you dont need to have the suspension loaded to do endlinks, just have the car on jackstands and a jack available to move the wheel up and down to align the holes. Super easy. So onward to the pictures!

The new Endlinks! Group A Performance (For the STi... dogbone) I bought these from Reason on the forums, they are very nice pieces and theyre not too expensive. (only 2 pictured, but i have all 4)
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_001.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_002.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_003.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_004.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)

Compared to the puny stocker endlinks:
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_019.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)

Removal of the stock rear endlinks...
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_005.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_006.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_009.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)

This was the guy that gave me ALL the problems. Reference http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1339 for the whole deal) basically the dealership saw that one of my endlinks was bent, decided to bend it back and then torque the bolts down SO hard that no one could get them off. Deciding that i needed to upgrade the endlinks all the way around to avoid bending them again I bought the Group A Performance endinks (PM "Reason" if you are looking for them) so the nut was seized on there and we couldnt get it off.
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_007.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_008.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)

Thats when the grinder was called in! First we had to cut the stud off of the vertical part of the endlink. It still wouldnt budge, so then we cut through the effing nut. The only problem was (and im not sure if its the same on the USDM lateral links) but the flange that the bolt goes through has little edges that stick out making it nearly impossble to get a reciprocating or disk saw in there. We mangaed though. Heres some cool shots of my buddy Dave cutting the crap out of my endlink.
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_010.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_012.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)

The rears, finally installed! now with 100% more beefcake!
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_013.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_014.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_015.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)

The front endlinks installed. These were done in less than 15 minutes. Piece of cake.
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_016.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_017.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)

Whats left of the rear endlink stud
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_018.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)

This guy can burn in hell!
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/sti/2007-10-3-groupaperf_endlinks/groupaperf_endlinks_020.jpg (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com)

[bergdh]

looks alot stiffer, nice work

[L and E Fab.com]

I want more pictures of the white wagon next to your car.

Who's is it? It is what I want to do to my OBS

[409industries]

I want more pictures of the white wagon next to your car.

Who's is it? It is what I want to do to my OBS

Ask and you shall receive...

http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1382

[Drew84]

What did you torque them to ? I found that the KartBoys need to be torqued to 35 ft-lbs to prevent unwanted knocking.

[409industries]

What did you torque them to ? I found that the KartBoys need to be torqued to 35 ft-lbs to prevent unwanted knocking.

The 2004 STi service manual said 33 ft/lbs so thats what i did...

[Reason]

I'm glad everything worked out! You won't have to worry about these bending like the OEM pieces.

[fattie92]

There might be one there, but it looks like you forgot some washers for the front endlinks. I would install a washer between the endlink and the swaybar, and the control arm.

[Reason]

There might be one there, but it looks like you forgot some washers for the front endlinks. I would install a washer between the endlink and the swaybar, and the control arm.

Good eye, those washers shouldn't be doubled up like that. Ryan is right, you need to get the washers on the end link.

[fattie92]

I have Group A's version 1 endlinks going on the car Wednesday.

[409industries]

There might be one there, but it looks like you forgot some washers for the front endlinks. I would install a washer between the endlink and the swaybar, and the control arm.

Good eye, those washers shouldn't be doubled up like that. Ryan is right, you need to get the washers on the end link.

Looks like ill be swapping these out! Thanks for the tip guys. (Yay for not having to cut anything this time) Should be a 30 minute job...


There might be one there, but it looks like you forgot some washers for the front endlinks. I would install a washer between the endlink and the swaybar, and the control arm.

So its just the bolt head on the end of the endlink? which side of the swaybar should get the large washer?

[Reason]

bolt head>small washer>endlink>large washer>sway>large washer>small washer> nut

I'm not sure if it matters what end the nut and bolt head belongs. But you want the larger washers to sandwich the end link.

[409industries]

Perfect! thanks for the sequence of hardware. I'm gonna get these switched up ASAP

[Reason]

My last post is wrong, the sequence in the PM I sent you is the correct way.

[fattie92]

Dont forget about the rears as well.

[409industries]

yeah, ill be doing all of them the same.

[409industries]

Right on... i fixed all the washers, good to go!

regular bolts and locknuts FTW, took me about 45 mins.