Right, having been lumbered with the work van for the past number of weeks due to the work shcedule, i finally got collect the OCty after work last night.

 

Just re-tackled changing my droplinks, which i failed to do when the new ones arrived.

after much swearing, and liberal use of Halfords "shock and Unlock" i managed to get the Drivers side link off at last! new one fitted, lovely! Go Halfords!

Moved to the passenger side and i gave up after 20mins of no joy, utterly ****ed off, and a pain in my left pec from using the tyre to brace myself for leverage

 

I decided to see about the ARB bushes instead, but... theres not much room in there to get at the retaining bolts.

how do peoples get in there, and what do you use, tool wise? Seems to me the drive shaft nearly needs removal or the wishbone dropped to get swinging room?, if like me you dont have a big fancy socket set...

Right, having been lumbered with the work van for the past number of weeks due to the work shcedule, i finally got collect the OCty after work last night.

 

Just re-tackled changing my droplinks, which i failed to do when the new ones arrived.

after much swearing, and liberal use of Halfords "shock and Unlock" i managed to get the Drivers side link off at last! new one fitted, lovely! Go Halfords!

Moved to the passenger side and i gave up after 20mins of no joy, utterly ****ed off, and a pain in my left pec from using the tyre to brace myself for leverage

 

I decided to see about the ARB bushes instead, but... theres not much room in there to get at the retaining bolts.

how do peoples get in there, and what do you use, tool wise? Seems to me the drive shaft nearly needs removal or the wishbone dropped to get swinging room?, if like me you dont have a big fancy socket set...

 

Hi dude, man who did those drop links up the Hulk.....

 

Normally they are ok.

 

I have in past sprayed with WD40 and left for few hours.

 

then gone back to them

 

you do need a good size socket wrench to get leverage sometimes and even a breaker bar.

 

so unfortunately you have to get the right tools. as cars get older and nuts/bolts seize and get tough etc

 

likewise with the ARB bushes , you can get in there with a small 3/8 socket or a long reach ring or racket spanner. only a few turns each time though and painful.

 

no need to take off drive shaft , just swing wheel full lock and get in there dude :p

What im relly confused about the drop link is, it cant be doing anything at all of benefit!

the wishbone end thats seized has a good half inch of play along the bolt when you get the top end off.

Im after spraying some engine cleaner into the bolt now, and more 3in1 and halfords release stuff...

i think ill be popping out the motor factors for new bolts though, as ive a feeling the head is going to be shagged by the time i get it out.

had the vice grip on it and it just started to chew and ring the bolt head...

What im relly confused about the drop link is, it cant be doing anything at all of benefit!

the wishbone end thats seized has a good half inch of play along the bolt when you get the top end off.

Im after spraying some engine cleaner into the bolt now, and more 3in1 and halfords release stuff...

i think ill be popping out the motor factors for new bolts though, as ive a feeling the head is going to be shagged by the time i get it out.

had the vice grip on it and it just started to chew and ring the bolt head...

 

On your car you don't have ball joint on each end on the drop link, but just bushes with bolts. Those bushes do hold drop link tight to ARB , but when they wear the drop link can slop about big time. so worth replacing.

 

tbh i would just angle grind off bolt and fit same size ones. Sometime you get new bolt in with drop link anyways

mmm... no new bolts unfortunately, but i bought a last resort today -

A reciprocating saw down in Aldi for cutting down some fire wood and other stuff, came with a steel blade too, so.......

probably will buy new bolts anyway, and change them out.

If in doubt get the grinder out.

Or a saw in your case

If in doubt get the grinder out.

Or a saw in your case

 

A grinder should be in everyone's tool box.........

A grinder should be in everyone's tool box.........

 

It was, til the auld lad needed it back

ARB bushes - I just undid mine, can't remember if I used a socket or a spanner now.  Re-assembly was a bit harder.  Used a trolley jack under the front hub to lift it up to make it much easier to get the bolts to align.

I was too ****ed off to have another crack at it, and local parts shop hadnt any bolts, as they dont stock em - theres a precision engineering place across the road who share business with on stuff like that, whoch is polite, but a pita when they closed early for the Bank Holiday Friday!! Tuesday will be next attempt, so i can have fresh bolts on hand if things get violent...

Bank holiday?????????

Last weekend of October is Bank Holiday weekend in ROI

Ahhhhh thaught i was loosing the plot for a minuite

Ahhhhh thaught i was loosing the plot for a minuite

To be sure to be sure........