What is the general consensus about the effective working life of the front a/r/b drop links?

I am on my third set in just over 20K.

The best ones so far have been Delphi which lasted just under 10K. The worst lasted just 2K. (cheapo's bought from E-Bay).

I always fit a pair to prevent any difference in performance. Granted the roads I drive on are utter crap but I would have thought they would last a little longer than that.

So, what is your experience / opinion?

best quality by far are the " Meyle " brand. Absolutely bomb proof , tighten the front end up so much it feels like a new car !! i'd be surprised if they didnt last for as long as you keep the car

best quality by far are the " Meyle " brand. Absolutely bomb proof , tighten the front end up so much it feels like a new car !! i'd be surprised if they didnt last for as long as you keep the car

+1 Fitted these myself a few years and about 15k back. Think the HD version also comes with a 2 year guarantee, but are pretty cheap too. 

I've got the HD Meyle on mine and there's a definite difference between these and the OEM. The Meyle does seem and look the stronger of the two.

One question i wondered though, the ball joints on the HD ones, one was soild e.g didnt move/rotate, obviously the other side did. from the markings on the links i figured it was built like this, but which end was supposed to attached to the ARB / Strut. 

 

The ones I took off were a standard ball joint at both ends, so that couldn't help me either.

 

I did this before I found the forum...

best quality by far are the " Meyle " brand. Absolutely bomb proof , tighten the front end up so much it feels like a new car !! i'd be surprised if they didnt last for as long as you keep the car

Do you have a link for these please?

Meyle decent i have these also.

Avs spares stock them and arrive quick

Do you have a link for these please?

 

eBay item number:

150661538205             £39-99 a pair , 4 year warranty, free delivery......

One question i wondered though, the ball joints on the HD ones, one was soild e.g didnt move/rotate, obviously the other side did. from the markings on the links i figured it was built like this, but which end was supposed to attached to the ARB / Strut. 

 

The ones I took off were a standard ball joint at both ends, so that couldn't help me either.

 

I did this before I found the forum...

 

 The MEYLE HD drop links i fitted were identical both ends of the link ( Ball joint each end ). They are so much stiffer than oem though that i struggled to move the pivot links by hand. In contrast the oem move quite freely.

Edited 12 December, 201312 yr by chris-H

http://www.vwspares.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=178

The MEYLE HD drop links i fitted were identical both ends of the link ( Ball joint each end ). They are so much stiffer than oem though that i struggled to move the pivot links by hand. In contrast the oem move quite freely.

Might have just been that then, but I remember mine having a red dot at the ends that wouldn't shiff on both of them, so figured it was by design. Didn't want to force it or anything an ruin the thread. Either way, never had an.issue with them since so all is good!