Replacing the Drop Links (Anti Roll Bar Links)

[cookie]

I see droplinks almost as a consumable, for the hassle of trying to remove them, I've always just cut in half and cut off nut with a metal grinding disc, why even chance damaging a torx or hex socket, trying to remove, If I'm ever binning old part, if its rusty and doesn't shift easily, then it meets Mr Anger Grinder, and jacking up in centre makes refitting new links far easier, and you can use kids to remove/fit wheels/fit new links, making job quicker, and getting kids to learn (don't help dad, don't get pocket money )

[stephend]

Originally Posted by doooford

Now, just wanted to check, but I changed the left side (which is where the rattle was coming from) and thenwent for a test drive and the rattle may be a bit better but is still there. Does that make sense as I haven't done the other side yet? Or does it imply a larger issue?

I had one of mine changed to fix a rattle, then the rattle came back almost immediately, so I had the other side done, and now it's fine. I guess if one's gone, the other's probably not much longer for this world.

As Gatos says, if that doesn't fix it, time to look elsewhere.

[doooford]

Small issue, ordered 2 links exactly the same! 267mm long but when changing the drivers side it became apparent that the new one ain't gonna fit.

I'm imagining that I need the 102.5mm one. I couldn't believe it as I just assumed the ati-roll setup would be a mirror setup each side.

If someone could confirm so that I can order that would be lovely

[gatos]

Originally Posted by doooford

Small issue, ordered 2 links exactly the same! 267mm long but when changing the drivers side it became apparent that the new one ain't gonna fit.

I'm imagining that I need the 102.5mm one. I couldn't believe it as I just assumed the ati-roll setup would be a mirror setup each side.

If someone could confirm so that I can order that would be lovely

What year is your car? They are actually identical on both sides. Unless if someone has replaced the complete strut on that side with a Phase 1 one.....

[doooford]

Originally Posted by gatos

What year is your car? They are actually identical on both sides

2001 S40 Bi-Fuel.

Thanks Gatos.

[doooford]

Do you know what length it would be if that had happened, and how could I confirm that it had been changed?

[gatos]

how many mm or cm difference is there. Check both struts to see if different. why don't you measure the old droplinks to see if they are the same size

Did you follow my instructions in the end? You will need to jack up the wishbone to fit the second drop link:

Fit the top part of the drop link first using the T30 torx to secure the middle and tighten the nut


You will notice that the bottom part of the drop link is a bit lower than where it's meant to go (see photo above. Place the jack under the wishbone and raise it until the bottom part of the drop link is level with the hole it is meant to go into and screw in the bolt...... Job done!!!

[doooford]

Hi Gatos, I raised both sides of the car so the links were loose and ready to slip out.
They are different lengths. 1 side is 267mm (the one I've changed) and the other side is 195mm approximately from centre of bolt to centre of bolt.

What is going on with my lovely car? It feels like it's a freak :-)

[gatos]

Originally Posted by doooford

Hi Gatos, I raised both sides of the car so the links were loose and ready to slip out.
They are different lengths. 1 side is 267mm (the one I've changed) and the other side is 195mm approximately from centre of bolt to centre of bolt.

What is going on with my lovely car? It feels like it's a freak :-)

Maybe my theory about the strut being a phase 1, may be correct. Try to compare the struts, or even better, try posting some pics

[doooford]

What would cause the struts to be different? And is this likely to be the start of a nightmare?