Drop Link Replacement - Easy ?

[davidharrow]

I need to replace the drop links - is it easy ? Bentley does not show it. Weight on or off the wheels when doing it ?

Any advice gratefully received. Cheers David

 

[Guest]

Are these the drop links from the anti-roll bar? If so, you're best with no pressure on the suspension. i.e. jack by body or engine. Fairly easy if nuts aren't too rusted on etc. Cheers

Kris

 

[davidharrow]

I have a trolley jack, but I really don't know exactly how to jack the car on the gearbox or engine ? Do I need a wood block between the jack and engine / gearbox? - is there anything, anywhere, to show me exactly where to do it - I don't want to destroy an engine or gearbox.

Thanks. David

 

[Chris_911]

Hi David

I would advise you to get hold of some axle stands and a jacking plate to go in the jacking point in your side sills (to allow you to use your trolley jack to lift the car at this position). Jack up each side in turn and place your axle stands underneath the torsion bar covers. Not safe to work underneath the car just supported on a trolley jack (which will creep over time in any case).

I've just had to strip out my ARB due to a broken ARB to body mounting bracket. The bolts holding the ARB to the lower end of the drop link were an absolute pain. Driver's side not too bad but passenger side took some major persuasion - I ended up cutting the nut off but it then still took some time to withdraw the bolt. I'm still working on the drop link to radius arm bolts - these are difficult to get sufficient torque onto with the car on axle stands - if it was up in the air on a ramp I would be able to use a decent breaker bar. I'm planning on asking the garage Ive arranged to replace the ARB body mountings to get these bolts out (when it's on the ramp....).

These upper drop link bolts are much more accessible (well, more options in terms of wrench position) with the ARB disconnected at the lower end of the drop link.

I would replace ALL bolts with new. I've ordered my new drop links from Berlyn Services (£32+ VAT ea). OPC quoted something like £63+VAT ea.

HTH

HTH

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

ORIGINAL: davidharrow

I have a trolley jack, but I really don't know exactly how to jack the car on the gearbox or engine ? Do I need a wood block between the jack and engine / gearbox? - is there anything, anywhere, to show me exactly where to do it - I don't want to destroy an engine or gearbox.

Thanks. David

I have read on the internet that it is OK to jack the car via the engine as long as you place a block of wood between the jack and the crankcase. I like to use plywood under my jack as there is no chance of ply splitting unlike other wood or chipboard.