Fitting drop links and Arb's (front & rear)

[Foz.Foz]

Hi all.
I have looked around for a guide on fitting drop links and anti-roll bushes for the front and rear of the van, but couldn't find one. Has anybody got one, or can they advise on the best plan of attack?

Thanks... Foz

[wonkanoby]

best plans to spray them up well before hand

hardest part of it is removing the rusted nuts and bolts

be sure its back on ground level before final tightening of link nuts

[Foz.Foz]

Cheers....
just got the first one on now. Nut came undone with out any problem. Lucky enough, I've just logged on in time to see the bit about tightening the nuts when it's on the floor. Guess I should fit the front arb's while the van is on the jack??

Foz

E2a... what the score with fitting the rear drop links??

[Foz.Foz]

just started the second one and the nut has rounded .
Any suggestions??

Thanks...Foz

[wonkanoby]

got a small grinder?

[Foz.Foz]

Just got my hands on one

[mikeonb4c]

be sure its back on ground level before final tightening of link nuts

True with the rear droplinks, although 'level' on axle stands will do just as well if you are doing the job that way (I did). Reason is that they have a steel sleeve mounted in rubber within the dumbell at each end and you want to minimise stress-in-torque on the rubber by getting the vehicle into its 'natural' riding position before tightening the nut and bolt that binds the sleeve to the bodywork mounting points at each end.

Front droplinks don't fuss about it though as they use a ball joint and that adjusts happily when changing load changes the riding position, requiring them to move.

I believe that's the theory anyway!

[Foz.Foz]

Well, after a bit of an easy start with the near side (passenger) front drop links and Anti-roll bar bush, the drivers side ones were a complete B!£(H to do. I ended up having to grind off one of the nuts as it had rounded off. Anyways... here's a few pics of the front arb's and drop link renewal. Hopefully, they will help someone out if they fit them, themselves

Parts to be fitted.
1 x Front drop link 1 x anti roll bar bracket 1 x rubber bush



Remove the wheel and jack up the van.


Old front drop link and front arb before removal


Undo and remove front arb. This came off with a bit of help from a screwdriver once the nuts were removed:lol:

Replace with new parts.I used a bit of copper slip on the threads



Undo the nuts on the top and bottom of drop links and remove.( good luck lol). I had to get a grinder to remove the nut on the drivers side one



Replace with new drop link. The threaded rod on these drop links does move about so they locate in the holes easy enough.



Replace the wheel, lower the van and tighten up all the nuts you have just fitted. Repeat for the other side of your Bongo

[pilajake]

Foz. Foz.

excellent pictorial guide & thread.
I am sure it will help someone to change their own droplinks in the future..

[clogger]

foz.foz

just for a minute i thought you`d just done mine
same wheels as me

but thanks for the heads up
as i will be doing mine tomorrow (if it stops raining) day after (if it stops raining) etc etc
yeah nice piccys

[mp3oplecarrier]

Here is my front ARB and droplink pictorial:

First, make friends with someone who has one of these: (thanks James)



Before pics:









This explains that clonking sound then...



Be prepared to use one of these to get the top nut off the droplinks..



New parts fitted




Driving home I couldn't believe how much quieter and smoother it felt....

Steve

[HenryClarkson]

best plans to spray them up well before hand

hardest part of it is removing the rusted nuts and bolts

be sure its back on ground level before final tightening of link nuts