Well, after finishing up at work today, I finally started to catch up on old threads. Well I read about snapped endlinks and cracked swaybar mounts, and got pretty worried, since I installed a set 2 weeks ago, and ran up 190 miles at Texas World Speedway this weekend. I was backing up out of the garage tonight and heard a frightening *CRACK* I got the car up on jacks and took a look. The passenger side rear endlink snapped.<p>I ended up removing the rear swaybar, and what was left of the endlinks. Closer inspection reveals that the endlinks were grinding against the halfshafts. Time to contact Neuspeed. I'm now suspecting that they just took off a stock suspension bar, made one a few millimeters thicker, and called it a day of successful research.<p>Breath in, breath out. Okay Warren, time to put down the hunting rifle...<p>98.5 Wett RamAir'ed Santorin Blue 2.8QMS

<br>Hi Warren, I knew I wasnt the only one out there (like Elle Tech was trying to tell me). I purchased their f&r sway bars (actually made by Addco) and installed on my 98 A4 2.8 Quattro w/spt pkg. First-- rear bar rubbed the rear half shafts, took off returned,2nd rear broke driver side end link in 1 month of commuting driving ( they tried to say it was Audi's fault since their piece didnt break) .Heard rumors that Audi was supposed to replace this part with metal. Had to take off "performance "rear bar ,install stock, go to Audi,and have links(both rear) replaced. Elle Tech has now sent Eibach front bar ( to be used in conjunction with stock rear) .I have gone through so much BS!!!!.......Havent put Eibach front on yet but will soon......was thinking of Neuspeed too but seems like you are having same problem.......interested in talking further 703 279 8551 in No.Va .kevin

Any happy endings to these face-value dreadful stories? I'd like to investigate going to aftermarket anti-swaybars... but after reading these posts I'm less enthusiastic. Anyone been driving 10,000+ miles on an aftermarket bar setup?<p>Cameron

Springs/shocks are the only safe way to get better handling on the A4. I've been in contact with Jim Simone, and he knows a few other people that have been having problems as well =(<p>98.5 Wett RamAir'ed Santorin Blue 2.8QMS

I've got the Addco-llTek setup.<p>Initally, I had problems with the rear bars hitting the lower control arms, but I ground that bar down and have not had any trouble. I guess I have had the bars since spring.<p>If you have a 98 model w/ the plastic endlink, you'll need to upgrade to the 97 model steel units. They are thinner (and stronger?) than the plastic units.<p>Warren has the part numbers- I left them at the house.<p>I think what MAY have happened was the R&D of the bars were on the 97's w/ the steel endlinks. Since the rear ends of the cars are 99.9% the same, it was assumed the bars were univeral fits.<p>The bars are a great upgrade- but you'll need to buy the steel endlinks of the 97s.

Sounds like Neuspeed needs to provide end links with there sway bars.<br>When you talked to Jim Simone, did he say that they are working on end links?<br>I’m not sure that the 97 metal one will hold up over time. They are so much thinner the sway bars. <br> <br>Michael<br>97 1.8TQ Wett and now checking the rear end links often.<br>

I have something else that you need to check.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM<br>

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Steve, I got your email on this subject and have contacted Roger at TAP. I'll get you the details as soon as I can. I'll also fish around under Champion's A4 to see what they're doing. I have my digital camera so I'll get some pictures if I can. <p>More later.

There have been several postings, all within the last few days, regarding sway bar end links and mounting plates. This feedback has been greatly appreciated and Mr. Wang, Mr. Simone, and Ms. Levy have all been personally contacted by me to find out more information.<p>Our local distributor, Greedspeed, has used the Neuspeed 22mm. bar with plastic end links for over 6 months now without any problems. However, we are quickly compiling a larger database on vehicle model years, VIN numbers, and plastic vs. metal link fitment. The Greedspeed vehicle was brought into our R&D bay this week so that we could closely examine the position of the end link and bar end relative to the half shaft. From full extension to full compression, we were unable to duplicate the problem. As a result, further investigation continues here at Neuspeed.<p>Contrary to Mr. Wang's assumption, we did not complete our R&D in one day by simply enlarging the diameter of the bar. The thickness of the O.E. mounting plate and end link were tested originally tested in static and dynamic conditions to evaluate their strength. <p>Any additional feedback from customers using the NEUSPEED 22mm. rear sway bar may be posted directly to my E-mail address, M5guy@aol.com, in order to keep the A4.ORG forum page from serving as a NEUSPEED customer service device.<p>Thank you for your consideration.<p>Sincerely,<br>Greg Woo<br>President<br>NEUSPEED/APS/NEUMANN DISTRIBUTING

<br>MTM makes a front bar that actually loops over the top of the front half shafts, instead of under it. I don't know if they make a back one, or if you can even get the MTM one in the states. Hoppen Motorshould be able to answer this. I don't rember if there was a picture of the front bar on MTM's web site or not.

Hmmm. It's interesting to hear that folks are having problems with other brands of sway bars as well.<p>IMO, there needs to be a support bracket added to distribute the additional stress of a stiffer sway bar. Steve Shupe, the tech at Carlsen, concurs. <p>Regarding the plastic uplinks hitting the half-shafts, I'm not sure you can still order the older steel part. The fiche still shows the steel one but the parts dep't was told it was replaced with the plastic one. We'll see when mine arrive next week.<p>My damaged subframe will be shipped on Monday to Neuspeed. We'll see what their analysis is afterwards. I took several photos before I boxed it up. Will get them developed this weekend and scan one or two to post on Monday.<p>Jim

I've talked several times to Greg Woo at Neuspeed, but he couldn't really comment on any fixes as they haven't analyzed my subframe yet.<p>The endlink/uplinks might be strong enough if the mounting plate of the subframe is braced to distribute the force to the main part of the subframe. Right now, it's hard to say conclusively whether either the plastic or the metal one would hold up.<p>Jim

I've got 11-12K on my neuspeed anti-roll/sway bars. I've got an early car than some of the others (notably Jim's) who are showing more serious problems, but my subframe is showing stress too. Per instructions from Greg Woo, I'll be moving the bar to the softer of the two settings, but I'm still trying to find a longer term solution (welding somesort of gusset to the subframe...or simply going back to stock bars). I was about to do the rest of the suspension upgrade (shocks/springs), but it seems that my money may now have to be spent elsewhere....<p>I'd take a wait and see approach right now before investing in anyones bars.<p>Adding to the group sigh,<br>Sharon<br>'97 1.8TQM, neuspeed chip, bars, ramair

It took almost a month to get my replacement links, and they came through in the plastic version.

I just jacked up my 97 2.8QM, with Neuspeed Sway bars and H&R coilover suspension, and I am relieved to say, I have NO DAMAGE what-so-ever. I have the Neuspeed sway bars set on the stiffest setting. You might say, "Well Steve, you may drive with less vigor that others" But, as anyone that knows me can attest...I don't drive like the lil ole Lady from Pasadena. I have been to TWO track driving schools and two autocross events with this set-up. I have had the Neuspeed sway bars on for over 10,000 miles now. I have the metal uplink arms, but they have not even touched my half shafts (axle). I really think that the metal uplink arms, in my humble opinion, were a much better design than the current 98 plastic (larger) ones. The only thing I see is that the washer on the subframe that holds the metal subframe portion that attaches to the sway bar bushing is "very slightly" pulled away from the subframe piece. If you didn't specifically look in that spot, you wouldn't even notice that it was pulled away at all. I think I am safe. I will probably try to reinforce that whole section if a support piece is developed by Neuspeed or by someone else (me?)<p>Anyway, a bit of good news is always beneficial.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM<p>P.S. My VIN number is: WAUEA88D5VA172001

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