Nodge68
Well-Known Member
They're normally 15, 16, or 17mm depending on who makes the drop link. An angle grinder will work though for problem nuts.
I did mine recently, they were both facing opposite directions (so one had been fitted wrongly in the past), and they had different size nuts on top. An angle grinder is a good idea though, in hindsight, trying to unthread a nut up a rusty thread which wants to turn (despite finding a spanner thin enough to fit the flats below the fitting) is a good way to use up precious heartbeats before you die of old age.
Legend tells of different lengths of tie-bar, the longer ones were to stop a knocking noise when going over bumps, or driving down British roads.
Legend tells of different lengths of tie-bar, the longer ones were to stop a knocking noise when going over bumps, or driving down British roads.
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
But don't tell our cat Merlin that, will you, or the vet who will be doing the operationCutting the thread off with the grinder will make subsequent nut removal easy.
Mmm, the new drop links I fitted just a few months ago, don't look so new now. Perished rubber on the top boot, split on the bottom, not impressed, fleabay tat. Question, should the bottom bolt go from the inside out (with the nut on the wheel side of the rollbar) or the other way (with the nut on the engine side of the bar)? Mine had one of each, and the Haynes manual wasn't much help.
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
That's my experience of most EBay drop links. Delphi drop links will last much longer then cheap Ebay links.
Nut on the wheel side of the ARB, so the drop link goes on engine side of the ARB.
Couldn’t say that I‘d be happy with Delphi. Literally 1.5 years after installation (mid 2014, then Sorn from Nov for almost 2y. due to gearbox) the one was dead and mentioned on the MoT in Jan.. The other one seems to be on its way out as well. Changed the one for Febi Bilstein, hope that‘ll last longer.
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
Really? Delphi were the OE supplier to LR and those generally lasted well.
Lemforder would be my next "Go To" brand if Delphi quality has dropped.
I bought two cheap droplinks from euroautomotive on ebay for a Xantia because one had a little play and a perished gaiter - fitted one - the other stayed in the garage for a couple of years - went to fit it as another gaiter perished - both gaiters on the unused one were perished and split - Rubbish - you certainly get what you pay for
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
This is happening a lot now. I've had gaiters split in the package too. I'm thinking that the rubber used has changed formula. Maybe to something more environmentally friendly. Although if gaiters keep needing unnecessary replacement, I can't see the logic in changing the formula.
kernowsvenski
Well-Known Member
I recently put Delphi drop links on mine. The quality seemed good. I'll keep an eye on them though. I just ordered trailing links from Advanced Factors. Unfortunately Delphi made ones were out of stock and on back order so they're sending me Borg and Beck ones. Are they any good?
Yes, that‘s why I bought them, thought better buy those Delphi than cheap and twice. Had a creaky noise for a while and talked to LR, was told there would be a part underneath which sometimes might cause that noise and could be cut off. Had it all changed from wishbone, to ARB and droplinks and thought what the heck is that till in Jan the garage gave me the MoT saying the droplink would have slight play I came to the idea that maybe that‘s my problem and it was.
Lemforder I bought the wishbones from after talking to LR. First thougth to buy from Island, buy then last year they had an offer for around 40€ on Amazon in DE while I was there and bought as a bargain. Now I have a Mapco here new if anyone needs one as I thought better both the same manufacturer. It‘s still sealed.
With the droplinks might the Belgium motorways to beyond Lille which are terrible. Potholes where you could park your car in as it sometimes seems.
Shouldn‘t be bad ones from Borg & Beck, tried a search and it came out on the ZF Sachs homepage here https://aftermarket.zf.com/go/en/sachs/home/ .
Quick question about the torque for the drop links. In Haynes it says 45nm to tighten it as far as I understand. Is that correct?
Last time when I changed the arb bushes I tightened the bolts with 23 and when being with LR later for something else, telling them they just pulled it harder. Could I open and re-tighten the nuts again to the mentioned torque?
Last time when I changed the arb bushes I tightened the bolts with 23 and when being with LR later for something else, telling them they just pulled it harder. Could I open and re-tighten the nuts again to the mentioned torque?
jamesmartin
Well-Known Member
as long as the bolts are tight enough not to come lose an exact torque doesnt matter,or whether you retighten them
