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BWoody Products Review

4K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  Dougcjohn 
#1 ·
I installed the BWoody intake and the sway bars links this weekend. And I must say I like the quality of both items. To start with, I installed the intake system. Everything went as planned and the instructions along with other Members tips (Moosehead), all went great. I chose electric blue and it looks stunning in the engine compartment (I'm sure all of the other colors look just as good). I was a little leary of the intake kit as I had installed an Airaid on my Commander and found the intake roar just a little annoying. I realized a 1 mpg improvement with the kit but did not want that type of noise for the JGC. I must report that was not the case with the BWoody kit. The intake tone is just enough to let you know something was new and sounds great IMHO.

I then installed the rear links and all went fine with those, I couldn't resist taking quick spin before doing the fronts. I could tell the difference already. My Commander, believe it or not, could really handle the curves
for the type of vehicle it is. On driving the JGC, I felt a little improvement was needed and with the rear links as a start I felt I was on the right path. You need to drill out the holes for the lower control arms on both front and back to accomodate the new bolts by the way, the top holes are fine. And another tip is to leave the height adjustment at Auto and not give in to the temptation to raise it up for more working room underneath the vehicle, Raising it up will throw the sway bar adjustment off in trying to align the the new links up and installing the new bolts (experience helps sometimes)

However I did experience a problem. The rear links were fine but when it came to the fronts, I was sent two identical links, and that does not work. The instructions state there is a right and left link for the front and there is a reason they say that. Now, I should have looked before now but you know about assumptions........... There is a certain offset pattern that must be maintained for the links to install properly. I have contacted BWoody and am sure the problem will be corrected quickly, just an annoying delay. It is not the mistake, but the quality of the remedy is what is important. BTW, an impact wrench sure comes in handy for this install, either pneumatic or electric. I'll report back how it all turns out.
 
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#2 ·
+1 To the Bwoody links and Velocity Intake Fireon. I finally got some warm weather and dry pavement on the mountain hairpins, and the improvement with the links is very noticeable. No more pole vault feeling to the outside of the turn. I'm sure Mike will take care of you on the front link, one of our best vendors IMO. Enjoy.
 
#3 ·
Moose, Yes I am sure of it. As a matter of fact, HE HAS ALREADY E-MAILED ME BACK ON A SUNDAY!! How is that for service plus! I e-mailed him some pics for verification of what I have so he can get me what I need. Glad to hear they help on the hairpins. Thx.
 
#4 · (Edited)
So I ordered a set of the BWoody links and am now having second thoughts... hoping one or both of you can calm my nerves a bit.

Have either of you experienced squeeking of the bushings and do you know how often they have to be re-greased? This is not that big of a deal but I would like to know either way.

Can you notice the upgrade at lower speeds when driving around the city? I'm hoping to lose a bit of body roll while not really changing the comfort level of the ride. I know fireon mentioned the wife approved but would she have noticed if you had not told her?? ;)

I also did not realize the factory control arms had to be drilled out and am not 100% sold on doing this. I don't mind modding my ride but I want to make sure its worth the trouble before I change anything permanantly. Did you do this with a drill or did it have to be removed and drilled out on a press?

Anyways, I would appreciate any other observations or additional comments you might have on the links now that you've been driving on them for awhile. TIA.
 
#5 · (Edited)
That's the whole point. She didn't notice, no harm no foul. No change in around town leisurely driving. Still very quiet and smooth. I used marine grade bearing grease to prevent water from washing it out. You should ask the question about when to re-grease, if ever, on the SRT Forum. They have a lot more experience on the links. BTW, you can use a cordless drill if you want. The material you remove in very minor, just enough for the new bolts to slip in.

I found if you leave the height in Auto and start the bottom and top bolts at the same time for both the front and back, you can bolt it right up. If you tighten one or the other first, it throws it out of sync and the holes for the second one on that link you are working on will not line up. Common sense really on the suspension stuff. Loose fit and then tighten once it is installed, then test drive.
 
#6 ·
Took delivery on my WK2 this week, busy adding extras. Today was going to do Sway Links, but lacked hardware... and instructions.

Your post concerns me, My Links appear to be the same, the other pair has the rod attached to the bushing head oppisite offset of each other. WHICH link is which, without instructions... I wasn't sure.

Also, how do you determine which is left & right - Ft & Rr.
The Larger set appears to be different units, the smaller pair appears to be the same.

If any one has instructions, and the number & size of hardware fasteners, that would be very helpful for a local pickup!!
 
#7 · (Edited)
DCJ, a scanned copy of the Bwoody Sway Link instructions is attached. Let me know if you cannot read it and I'll try another method to send it.

Note you have to drill the control arm hole diameter to 1/2" or 12.51mm diameter to fit the Bwoody bolts, which are slightly larger than stock of 15/32" or 11.87mm diameter. Otherwise, all the hardware is included for mounting. As Robpp suggested, use a marine or heavy grease on the bolts and bushings to keep it all quiet.
 

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#9 ·
Dougcjohn: If you can please post a report on how you like the sway link upgrade that would be great. I received mine the other day but have not had a chance to install them yet. Part of me is reluctant to drill out the lower control arms... Does anyone know if the stock links will go back in if needed or will there be too much play after drilling it out to 1/2"? or can they possibly be reinstalled using the new bolts?

Either way good luck with the install. :thumbsup:
 
#10 · (Edited)
(edited 4/17 - Rethought)
SixZeroFour, IMO the increase is very minimal, about 0.64mm dia increase which may be within tolerances. If properly torqued, the difference shouldn't be harmful.
But it is an increase and it does have the possibility of play that didn't exist originally. Returning to OEM links would be a consideration in the decision.
On the positive side; sway bar bushings have a long life and normally aren't replaced often... you may not need to replace.

I'll keep you posted, although several other's have expressed high satisfaction with the stiffer bushing.
I plan to get to them later today, need to make a part run for bolts.
 
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