ARB drop link question

[Shaun_E]

I had to replace these recently due to one being bent and the other having a perished dust cover but was surprised to find that the hole in the ARB was bigger than the "bolt" on the drop link. I carried on and tightened the nut as tight as I could. On a week long holiday to Skye, the suspension developed a clonk which I traced to the ARB drop link moving in the mounting hole. I was able to borrow a spanner and tighten the nut but by the time we got home it was loose enough for the clonk to return.

Question: should the hole in the ARB be bigger than the "bolt" part of the drop link?

If so I can simply add some loctite and tighten the nut but this doesn't seem right.
I thought about having a spacer made up to fill the hole - has anyone else done this?

N.B the replacement drop links were the heavy duty ones bought through this site.

[carlioll]

There shouldnt be play -the correct size' bolt ' in the droplink (front) is 12mm. Sugget you measure your bolt -I have seen thinner ones advertised. However, as you got it from Ian I would expect the correct size bolt. If it is the correct size then maybe the ARB hole is worn. Just had a thought that maybe you didnt get it from Ian but one of th advertisers on here.

[Shaun_E]

Thanks for the reply. I will check the size. I did buy the drop links from Ian - they were the heavy duty ones. It didn't seem right that the hole was bigger than the drop link.

[al & chris]

We had same problem after having new heavy duty ones fitted. Clunking, then realised nut had come loose and fit was not the same. Just re tightened nut been ok since. But yes something not right on sizing. We again got them from shop.

[Ian]

We had same problem after having new heavy duty ones fitted. Clunking, then realised nut had come loose and fit was not the same. Just re tightened nut been ok since. But yes something not right on sizing. We again got them from shop.

OK, I have picked up on this. Until fairly recently the heavy duty links did not come with thw nuts, and we supplied these separately. But now thw nuts are included in the package. I will investigate with the suppliers and report back.

[Shaun_E]

Hi Ian - any news on this? Wondering if I should get some spacers made up.

[Ian]

Sorry for late response. We have checked our stock, compared them with the heavy duty links with the other brand we have (Solid Auto), and all have identical nuts. Perhaps you had a rogue item?

[Poohbear]

Sorry for late response. We have checked our stock, compared them with the heavy duty links with the other brand we have (Solid Auto), and all have identical nuts. Perhaps you had a rogue item?

It's not really the nut that's in question is it? It's the diameter of the stem of the drop link that the nut goes onto.

[Ian]

Sorry for late response. We have checked our stock, compared them with the heavy duty links with the other brand we have (Solid Auto), and all have identical nuts. Perhaps you had a rogue item?

It's not really the nut that's in question is it? It's the diameter of the stem of the drop link that the nut goes onto.

Oh I see! But without a genuine Mada drop link I don't have anything to compare it with.......

[Northern Bongolow]

just measured some old ones i have in the shed (saved for the rubbers). i have some copy parts and some gen ones and all the bolts that secure them to the strut end and the droplink end are about 10--11 mm dia, measured with my crappy plastic b and q vernier.

ive also got fitted on chells bongo, the heavy ones from the shop, they have not caused any issues, infact they are very good.

i would check the diameter of the hole that is knocking on yours, see what that turns up.

[rita]

Hi,

They are listed at 245xM12X1,50 RHT.


Cheers.

[Northern Bongolow]

just read your first post again. it said one was bent, never heard of that before.
wondering what parts had been fitted, and if someone has modified the ends to accept the mod.

[Shaun_E]

When the rain stops, I'll get out and measure the diameter of the drop link stems.

[Shaun_E]

Just measured the stems and they are M12 so looks like they are the correct spec.
Should there be some sort of bush in the ARB that the stem goes into?
If not I guess someone has enlarged the holes at some point or they have worn.

[Northern Bongolow]

no bushes in the ends of the anti roll bar so it looks like its worn or been modded.
i would go for second hand off a breaker, and wouldnt really try bushing it as there is a lot of pressure going through the bar when cornering. wouldnt want it to snap an eyelet whilst cornering hard.