Hi guys,

 

Got a Front end knock on the mk1 Vrs i bought the other week, Gonna do top mounts as they look like they are gone but i thought for piece of mind i would do the drop links while i am there....

 

Ordered these..

 

http://www.vwspares.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=256

http://www.vwspares.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=257

 

Have turned up and they seem a little LONG!

 

the site suggests they are the correct part numbers but i just want to be sure before i fit them Sunday and i get issues.

 

Thanks for any help.

Yep, those are for a vRS (and the 4x4 models) as they attach to the top of the strut, unlike the lower power models which use a short dog bone type link. The problem comes when the car is lowered, as the standard drop links can then foul the driveshafts, the solution is to use Mercedes Vito drop links so a I am told, as they have the same angle on the ball joints, but are slightly shorter.

If you are planning to do the top mounts, and the suspension strut hasn't been disturbed before, then get new pinch bolts and nuts for the strut clamp, as they will more than likely be rusted solid. The ABS sensor can stay in the hub, just unplug the electrical connection, also get a new nut for the track rod end, as that may be rusted solid as well if it's never been changed before as well.

Edited 1 September, 20169 yr by octyal

Yep, those are for a vRS (and the 4x4 models) as they attach to the top of the strut, unlike the lower power models which use a short dog bone type link. The problem comes when the car is lowered, as the standard drop links can then foul the driveshafts, the solution is to use Mercedes Vito drop links so a I am told, as they have the same angle on the ball joints, but are slightly shorter.

If you are planning to do the top mounts, and the suspension strut hasn't been disturbed before, then get new pinch bolts and nuts for the strut clamp, as they will more than likely be rusted solid. The ABS sensor can stay in the hub, just unplug the electrical connection, also get a new nut for the track rod end, as that may be rusted solid as well if it's never been changed before as well.

 

found a couple of guides on line that say on this chassis you can do the top mounts without removing the shock.

 

Remove top nut, unbolt drop link, Drop arm, Attach spring compressors, Jack back up, Remove top mount bolt, Drop back down, Replace mount and bearing - Reverse.

Edited 1 September, 20169 yr by vRSsunroof

http://www.r32oc.com/performance-technical/20735-diy-guide-replacing-mk-iv-strut-tops.html

Fair play if it can be done that way. My logic though would involve fitting new shocks at the same time though, after all, you are removing the spring and top mount, drop link etc, and it's 1 more bolt for the shock. What age and mileage is yours on? Over 100k on original suspension it's worth considering a new shocker, especially as they are so cheap from TPS

Fair play if it can be done that way. My logic though would involve fitting new shocks at the same time though, after all, you are removing the spring and top mount, drop link etc, and it's 1 more bolt for the shock. What age and mileage is yours on? Over 100k on original suspension it's worth considering a new shocker, especially as they are so cheap from TPS

 

176,000miles.

 

Shocks seem fine, i think i recall in the paperwork somewhere for new shocks, cant go too mad. just got married so don't have loads to spend on the car at the moment. once the MX5 is sold i can then look at playing with the octy, if shocks ever need doing its getting upgrades (i.e. coilovers)

fair point - new standard ones are £37 each + vat from TPS

...and Bilstein B4s are disgustingly cheap, I put a brand new set on a clio I had, all in they cost me about £150 and changed the car from a wallowy scary mess to a pointable scary thing. B4s are supposed to be OEM replacement but better quality. 

Im in the process of buying new shocks and will more than likely go for OEM spec. Just recently had the droplinks changed and still getting a noise from passenger side when it hits any sort of bumpy surface.

If you have done drop link and top mount then next on the list are

Ball joint

Arb bush/mount

Shock

Wishbone bush

If you have done drop link and top mount then next on the list are

Ball joint

Arb bush/mount

Shock

Wishbone bush

IMO just grab new lower arms and fit them rather than changing the arm bushes. 

 

I recently fitted a set of meyle inner/outer tie rods, and drop links. They are fantastic quality. I've used the Meyle stuff on another car and was equally impressed, worth the small premium over no brand parts imo.

Edited 2 September, 20169 yr by yesiamtom