Front drop link tip

[manners]

When trying to undo the nuts and the bolt turns on the original drop links the end of the bolt takes an allen key to stop it turning.

[mikeonb4c]

When trying to undo the nuts and the bolt turns on the original drop links the end of the bolt takes an allen key to stop it turning.

Thats a handy tip - didn't notice that when I did mine. I seem to recall I did discover though that the apparently 'ungrippable' bolt actually has two 'flats' on it so you can grip it with an open ended spanner.

[manners]

I followed your tip when i did mine only noticed the hex hole in the end of the bolt after i took it off. Going to do the anti roll bar bushes tomorrow, I tried today but first nut I tried started to round off so given them a good spray. The nuts on the drop links are the same fine thread does anybody know if they are the same size that holds the bush brackets on (if so got two spares if they carry on rounding off)

[mikeonb4c]

I followed your tip when i did mine only noticed the hex hole in the end of the bolt after i took it off. Going to do the anti roll bar bushes tomorrow, I tried today but first nut I tried started to round off so given them a good spray. The nuts on the drop links are the same fine thread does anybody know if they are the same size that holds the bush brackets on (if so got two spares if they carry on rounding off)

Are you using a 6 sided socket as they will grip much better than the star/12 sided? Not sure about bolt threads I'm afraid

[dobby]

I ended up angle grinding them all off!

[mikeonb4c]

I ended up angle grinding them all off!

Cripes, but how did you get the threaded bit out of its nest

[dobby]

From memory by cutting very carefully through the bolt bit close to the link - only did 'em in June but have forgotten already! (did move house in between then and now though)

Usual saga, started after work etc. minor panic. If I'm honest I didn't soak them enough. Well worth doing though, haven't lost a filling since!

[cheffy34]

I ended up angle grinding them all off!

Ditto ended up with freckles on me arms after

[helen&tony]

Hi
We soaked them for a day or two in penetrating fluid, and ended up using a blow- torch, nut- splitter , cold-chisel and 4 pound hammer, and a whole box of swear-words!!!!, and had someone in the village make up some nuts for the new ones
Cheers
Helen

[manners]

Job done, came off easy after an overnight soak Still making a noise though looks like I'll have to get louder speakers

[mikeonb4c]

Job done, came off easy after an overnight soak Still making a noise though looks like I'll have to get louder speakers

Wot after front droplinks AND antiroll bar bushes have been done? Are you sure the noise is from the front (as in 'rear droplinks and antiroll bar bushes might need doing').

Understand about the short memory by the way - its scary, but nowt we can do about it I guess!

[bigdaddycain]

Job done, came off easy after an overnight soak Still making a noise though looks like I'll have to get louder speakers

Like your style!

(could it be one of the arb brackets?)

[manners]

I'll give the rear a looking at but I'am sure its from the front. How will i check if the bracket needs replacing? they looked OK and are made of quite thick steel.

[bigdaddycain]

Could be one of the front anti roll bar bushes then, mine was actually split! It only clonked when at an extreme, i.e. if i came off a speed bump a bit quicker than usual.

I used full body weight and a whopping great pry bar to seperate it "at the split" to discover the crack in the first place.

[missfixit70]

Both my Rear ARBs snapped within a few weeks of each other, it sounded like the clonking was coming from the front though on both occasions, it was quickly obvious it had snapped as soon as I looked underneath.