DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU

When you buy the wrong parts it can become a frustrating experience when they fail. Don’t fall into the assumption that the parts you are buying are the best fit for your application.

Check These Quick Tips on Buying the Correct End Links for your Jeep so THIS doesn’t happen to you.

You have been noticing for some time now that your end links on your jeep have been going out and you need to either replace the bushings or get new aftermarket replacements. You figure you will do them when you put in your new 2” spacers and new larger tires this next month. You get online and start searching and calling around on what you need. You find something that is priced right and what you think fits the bill. You get the links a few days later and you’re happy with the appearance and the quality. You find the time to do the spacers and you get the end links installed at the same time. You drive down and get the new tires installed for the finishing touches and think you’re good to go. Next thing you know… SNAP!!! You notice that the jeep is driving a little different around turns and feels wrong accelerating and braking. So when you get home you get out and notice that the end link is sheared off on one side and bent on the other. What happened?

We see this problem a lot and there are several things to consider when purchasing end links for your jeep.   So ask yourself some questions before your purchase. First, what is the model and year of your jeep? Did you buy the correct end links for your jeep and double check? If you’re not sure check with the manufacture before you buy. Second, do you have a lift on your jeep, maybe larger tires? Depending on the size of the lift and tires you may or may not want to buy certain end links for you jeep. Third, did you want an OEM replacement or Aftermarket for your fix, repair or upgrade? OEM parts may be the only thing you can get with certain parts on your jeep, but the aftermarket parts are usually the way to go for Jeeps in most cases. Fourth, what are you using your jeep for? Daily driving on the road, occasional camping or off road trip? Maybe you get your jeep into some difficult areas that would be considered moderate to hard off road driving? There is a right and a wrong choice for end links so make sure you consider them all.

The pictures you see here are from a customer who ordered stock performance replacement end links with poly bushings for his Jeep Cherokee XJ with a 2” spacer lift and slightly larger tires. No big deal right? They are “performance” end links right? WRONG!!! Just a little bit of lift on a stock length end link can result in failure like you see in the pictures. The added strain these end links take from side to side motion with going off road and regular city driving was enough to shear his end link off on one side and bend the other. City driving is city driving. The off road driving was nothing serious, but enough to make a difference in what he should have purchased.

Let’s run through a Quick Scenario before we purchase.   First, make sure the model and years are correct for the part. Second, do I have a lift or other upgrades to my jeep that would affect my decision for end links? Third, do I want OEM or aftermarket? Fourth, what am I using the jeep for? So we have a Jeep Cherokee XJ with a basic 2” polyurethane lift and larger tires. Do we want aftermarket replacement so we can take advantage of better design and polyurethane bushings for longevity and performance? Or is OEM sufficient and priced better? This jeep is going off road occasionally with mostly city driving. Let’s look at what the customer should have considered and thought about before his purchase:

• Make and model are good and fitment is confirmed for his jeep model and year…
• I have a 2” lift with slightly larger tires so maybe longer end links to accommodate the lift would be wise. Stock is 6” so maybe a 9” link would be better suited for my jeep? Maybe 9” is too much? Or maybe keep the 6” length and go to a loop to loop set up. (Let’s keep this in our mind and keep researching).
• Aftermarket selection has higher quality parts with much better design.   Aftermarket is cheaper in most cases too. Aftermarket is the way to go here.
• Ditch the stem (post) set up on the top of the end link and do a conversion kit for the post to change it to a loop for a loop to loop set up. These can handle several times more side to side tension and stress than a post set up can. (This is better for going off road which I do occasionally).
• Looks like going with a stem to loop conversion kit so I can change to a loop to loop set up and a slightly longer end link is the way to go for me. Find it, confirm it, CLICK and BUY.

Is finding the parts you need always this cut and dry? No, but we are here to help give you suggestions and answer your questions for however you use your jeep to find the best option for you. Are there other things to possibly consider that aren’t listed here? Yes, but usually this covers most of the questions you will encounter. If you need something different we will find it for you.

Bottom line, Don’t buy something you aren’t sure about and don’t let THIS happen to you.