anyone with a 19mm rear sway bar taken a look at your plastic mounting arms - do they tend to crack?
 

i'm talking about the ends that the swaybar attaches to (not where the bushings hold it in place). I installed the updated subframe bushing supports, so i don't expect cracks in the subframe anytime soon -- but i'm wondering if that pressure could cause the plastic end links to develop cracks. anyone noticed this? I'm talking about the plastic arm that the ends of the swaybar attaches to - which connects to the suspension.

Mine haven't but yes, this is an issue. I think there were steel or aluminum pieces in late 90s A4s
 

That have been mentioned as a solution.

I'm running stiffer rear springs (than stock) which takes some of the load off of the sway bar links.

96/97 A4s had the round metal uplinks...the 98+ A4 and S4s have the plastic ones...
 

I have seen the plastic ones worn down by the axle half shafts..and even the CPP aluminum ones...

My advise is to periodically check the subframe, half axle shafts and uplink arms every 3-4 months if you have any aftermarket rear sway bar (larger than the stock 16mm bar). BTW, I have had the 19/22 bar on my A4 2.8Q, my S4 sedan, and my S4 Avant...and soon on my A4 1.8T.

i'm running H&R c/o's with the rear sway on stiff.
 

so i guess my rear sway is going to see more force than yours. any chance you have the part number for those pieces from the A4's?

upgrade to early A4 metal uplinks.

part number? tia

Sorry, I don't have the P/N

Not available from AoA anymore...
 

You gotta get them off wrecked 96/97 A4s at the dismantlers...the part number is probably the same..only has a superceded number (which is the plastic ones)

Here is what they look like...
 

<center><img src="https://www.audiworld.com/tech/pix/rsway_02s.jpg"></center><p>The green colored shaft is it in this pic...

I'm using the CPP solid end links. Should dispel any worries you have
 

They're pretty inexpensive too. I noticed a definite handling improvement with the solid links and my bar (Neuspeed 19mm) on hard than the plastic links and the bar on soft.

where did you get yours? and how much? tia

CPP links available right here.
 

<center><img src="http://www.ndimports.com/catalog/images/suspension/AudiVW_rrSway.gif"></center><p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.ndimports.com/catalog/suspension/default.asp?product_group=CPP&amp;action=step_two& amp;title=CPP%20End%20Links">CPP links are available here.</a></li></ul>

and can also look in my fotki album for more pics.

The spacer CPP provides isn't big enough. I have to run my 19mm bar on the stiff setting because...
 

the link will sometimes hit the halfshaft. :-(

Bingo...
 

You got that right.

Me too.

good pricing on the sway bar links. what about this problem people are talking about?
 

is there a fix or new part offered so there aren't "issues" with the links? tia

I'll talk with Dave from CPP to get this resolved. Thanks for the feedback gents.

i'll be ordering as soon as i know what - if anything, is going to be done
 

i'd order it now, since i have my bar on stiff -- but if i decide to change it to soft, i'd like to know there won't be issues with the bar or the links hitting anything.

i guess calling in a week would be good right? should have an answer from dave by then right?

Jason let us all know if you talk to Dave.
 

I was thinking of talking to a friend who has a machine shop but since the brackets already installed I don't know the exact size and would like to have a solution ready to go before I take off the bar.

I have seen additional spacers on the back side of the two medial sway bar mounts
 

To be most safe..install the latest version of the Neuspeed subframe brackets...use the CPP uplinks...with the spacer on the back most mounting location (with longer bolts) and set the 19mm bar on full stiff. This will keep the axle half shafts farthest away from the CPP uplinks.

YMMV, but I have a lot of experience first hand with the Neuspeed rear sway bars, 11mm, 16mm, 19mm, 22mm, and with no subframe brace, version #1 brace, and now the version #2 brace.

i'm not sure i understand what you're talking about when you mention spacers
 

where would you want the spacers, and why? i'm trying to visualize it, but i don't get it.

right now, i don't think my sway bar or uplinks are anywhere near hitting the axle half shafts.

I've got the stock plastic uplinks, and the rear sway on the stiffest setting.

Attempt at clarification
 

To be honest..everyone that mounts the sway bar from the start thinks...no way that uplink and axle half shaft can rub..no way. Yes way. The subframe flexes with the additional rigidity of the bigger sway bar. Something has to give...and what usually does is the subframe. It moves a little bit here..a little bit there..and before you know it ...it allows the axle half shafts and uplink arms to meet. I am not saying that it happens on all cars...but I have seen it enough to know that it is something to watch out for. Ask Warren Wang on the Motorsport forum about it...his uplink arm broke...as did Bryce..both on their B5 S4s.

As for the spacer...the sway bar has four mounting locations...one attachment at each sway bar end..and two additional mounting locations underneath the gas tank. On these two last mounting points I have seen a CPP set up where a spacer is located on one side of each of these two mounting points. The spacer, in effect, moves the CPP aluminum uplink farther away from the axle half shaft. Without being under the car..and pointing to the location..it is kinda hard to explain. Jack up your car tonight, if it isn't too frickin cold where you live, and look at the mounting points of the rear sway...you may be able to see where you could add a 1/4" spacer.

Hope this helps.

Found a pic...
 

<center><img src="http://www.funkadelic.org/albums/swaybar/aba.jpg"></center><p>The spacer goes inbetween the red bushing..and the subframe portion that is pointing down in this picture. It makes the whole sway bar assembly move backwards, away from the axle half shaft.

you'd need a flat piece of metal as a spacer imho.
 

if you simply add a spacer in between the bushing mount, and the subframe, then there won't be as much pressure on the bushing to keep the sway bar in place. in addition, you'd need longer bolts for the bushing mount to the subframe.

Yep...a flat, rectangular shape, 1/4" thick spacer

Picked them up from AWE. They're available on the their site.
 

They're not too expensive, pennies on the dollar more than the stock ones.