Drop links

[missfixit70]

Those 'Blueprint' links look properly engineered, and the only thing missing to do the job 100% right is supplying the second flanged nut.

Looks like you get what you pay for.

Now if Jake can do them exactly the same quality as this for £35 a pair rather than each, then he may still sell some on ebay!

I'm sure the cheaper ones will continue to outsell any more expensive "proper" ones, everyone ( & I'm guilty of this as well) wants the cheap option, doesn't always work that way. The difference in quality is HUGE.

[mikeonb4c]

Vectra type ones I'm referring to are the ones that have had the boot fail 3 times previously (see my previous post), the ones that are usually sold on ebay & the ones that Ian is currently stocking, where the boot gets stretched beyond where it should so it fails in less than 12 months (I'm not the only one either).
Not trying to scaremonger or anything, as I'm sure I'll get accused of but trying to find a fit & forget replacement that'll last a damn sight longer than 12 months.
Where did you get yours from Mike & any idea of make?

If you look at the pic, the first is a brand new one from Ian (same as Jake sells on ebay), the second is the same part after less than 12 months of use, the 3rd is the original Mazda droplink after 13 years fitted, other than the balljoint itself being slightly worn, still looks in very good nick compared to the other one (see the comparisons on my previous post). The sample of the Blueprint droplink is manufactured to the same standard as the original, just read the note properly that came with it, they'll be going out at around £35 plus delivery each, not cheap, but better than replacing every year. Same Blueprint part at my local motor factor was nearly £50 inc vat.
Let's see what the next supplier comes up with

Got them form my local motor factors (now closed ). Its just posisble I may still have the box they came in, in the garage. I'll try and remember to check at the weekend plus take a look at my front droplinks to see if any boot splitting has occurred yet, and get back on here with any useful info. I seem to recall I only paid around £23 the pair (maybe less?)

[missfixit70]

Nice one Mike Even a piccy of the droplinks, especially the boots, would be good as a comparison.

[mikexgough]

Be nice if the Blueprint once come with nuts.......

[mikeonb4c]

Vectra type ones I'm referring to are the ones that have had the boot fail 3 times previously (see my previous post), the ones that are usually sold on ebay & the ones that Ian is currently stocking, where the boot gets stretched beyond where it should so it fails in less than 12 months (I'm not the only one either).
Not trying to scaremonger or anything, as I'm sure I'll get accused of but trying to find a fit & forget replacement that'll last a damn sight longer than 12 months.
Where did you get yours from Mike & any idea of make?

If you look at the pic, the first is a brand new one from Ian (same as Jake sells on ebay), the second is the same part after less than 12 months of use, the 3rd is the original Mazda droplink after 13 years fitted, other than the balljoint itself being slightly worn, still looks in very good nick compared to the other one (see the comparisons on my previous post). The sample of the Blueprint droplink is manufactured to the same standard as the original, just read the note properly that came with it, they'll be going out at around £35 plus delivery each, not cheap, but better than replacing every year. Same Blueprint part at my local motor factor was nearly £50 inc vat.
Let's see what the next supplier comes up with

Got them form my local motor factors (now closed ). Its just posisble I may still have the box they came in, in the garage. I'll try and remember to check at the weekend plus take a look at my front droplinks to see if any boot splitting has occurred yet, and get back on here with any useful info. I seem to recall I only paid around £23 the pair (maybe less?)

Checked garage and box and old ones have been thrown away

As Kirsty requested, I did take a couple of pics of the 2yr old Vectra ones in place (top end and bottom end of n/s droplink) and the rubber gaiters on them look fine as car as I can see (click thumbnails below). Only sorry I don't know make and part no. but I think any decent motor factors supplying the trade ought to be safe as they can't afford to have duds bouncing back at them too quickly (thats the theory anyway ). Hopefully price has stayed sensible too





Hope this helps

[missfixit70]

The boot on those certainly looks a bit better than the Yaco ones Mike.
I don't think it's a matter of being sold "duds", more that they are meant for a vectra & are probably fine on a vectra as I'd imagine it'll have different characterstics etc, don't forget the bongo has a pretty good turning circle which is possibly going to stretch the joint further? I'd be interested to see yours at full lock both ways.

[mikeonb4c]

I'd be intersted to see yours at full lock both ways.

Funny you should think of that as every morning when I pull away, my 1st manouevre is a full lock turn at the corner of our road so I can set off back to work from whence I came.

[The Great Pretender]

I'm with you Kirsty, the boot design is, er, cr*p.

[paramatt]

I've been reading this topic for the last 10 minutes or so- and I can't figure out which are best to buy- or should I be hanging on for a bit to see if a which product is gonna be best?

A quick resume' please folks??

Matt

[missfixit70]

Whatever you buy, make sure the boot has plenty of rubber so it's not strained, best bet IMO is to get hold of the blueprint ones if you can afford it, if not the ones that Mikexgough linked to looked ok. Don't buy the Yaco ones from Jake the must on fleabay as I've had 2 sets fail in 2 years. Still waiting to hear from Ian on a different supplier to see if they are any good.

[mikeonb4c]

I've been reading this topic for the last 10 minutes or so- and I can't figure out which are best to buy- or should I be hanging on for a bit to see if a which product is gonna be best?

A quick resume' please folks??

Matt

I agree - it is confusing! If I was in a hurry, I would try and find out what motor factors the local garages are using and buy some Vectra ones (assuming we are talking front links) from them IF prices is sensible (shouldn't be more than 30pounds a pair at a guess) and hope their local reputation has incentivised then not to buy crap. Thats what I did and it appears to have worked for me. But its all a lottery these days with profit margins pinched and so much cheap Chinese stuff around.

[missfixit70]

But like I said Mike, for a vectra the iffy ones (made for a vectra?) may well be fine as the demands on them are probably different (& they are designed to work on a vectra - not a bongo?), so they may well be being sold to reputable garages by reputable suppliers & work for many years on a vectra, but put them on a bongo & they don't last a year (of course I may be talking twaddle)
Best bet is to ask to see them & see if the rubber boot is put under strain at full stretch, & the construction is half decent & it's a 12mm thread.

[mikeonb4c]

But like I said Mike, for a vectra the iffy ones (made for a vectra?) may well be fine as the demands on them are probably different (& they are designed to work on a vectra - not a bongo?), so they may well be being sold to reputable garages by reputable suppliers & work for many years on a vectra, but put them on a bongo & they don't last a year (of course I may be talking twaddle)
Best bet is to ask to see them & see if the rubber boot is put under strain at full stretch, & the construction is half decent & it's a 12mm thread.

I offered the advice only because the debate was confusing the reader, not because I disagree about the possibility that inadequate boots accelerate failure. But having had Vectra ones on for over 2 years with no trouble, and having read of people buying 'Bongo' ones off ebay and having trouble, my suspicion is that traders without a strong customer feedback loop may be most likely to peddle poor quality 'pattern' goods. Certainly the ones I bought from a local trade motor factor have lasted 2+ years with no problems.

I do wonder whetherthe gaiter/boot will care much whether the car is a Vectra or a Bongo. I'd have thought the bending could well be similar? As well as the design of the boot, the quality of the rubber could most likely have a significant bearing on longevity

[Ian]

We now sell the Blueprint and the cheaper ones via the Bongo Shop. You get what you pays for.

Another variation should be with me (and then to Kirsty) during the week for product evaluation.

[mikeonb4c]

We now sell the Blueprint and the cheaper ones via the Bongo Shop. You get what you pays for.

Having got a very good result for £20 with the Vectra ones I bought, I wish we didn't use that expression so much!

However, peace of mind for £38 (non members) doesn't sound too bad. For the uninitiated like me, what 'guarantees' the blueprint one will give long service (droplinks should really last quite a few years I suspect in normal use)