Technical Drop link bolt stuck grrrrr

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Technical Drop link bolt stuck grrrrr

They're not bolts, the drop-link ends are ball-joints, with integral studs that go through the mounts, a nut secures them.
There should be flats or a hex on the stud (under the rubber boot) so you can hold it while undoing the nut.

I got rid of my Anti-Roll Bar (ARB) assembly ages ago (after the bar broke), not had any problems with it (or the links, mountings or bushes) since, funnily enough (y)
 
They're not bolts, the drop-link ends are ball-joints, with integral studs that go through the mounts, a nut secures them.
There should be flats or a hex on the stud (under the rubber boot) so you can hold it while undoing the nut.

I got rid of my Anti-Roll Bar (ARB) assembly ages ago (after the bar broke), not had any problems with it (or the links, mountings or bushes) since, funnily enough (y)

Yeah sorry whatever they are they are stuck, did think of just cutting through the drop link in frustration:rolleyes:
 
Hi,
the studs usually have an allen key HEX socket / or a TORX depending on model,

I've only had 50 / 50 luck getting them off , as the rusty threads love locking up and overloading the weedy splines... and once it's rounded.. I have to use a cutting wheel in the grinder to zip through the locked NUT + Threaded stud,

I'm sure most garages just grind them off anyway..,
Charlie
 
Hi,
the studs usually have an allen key HEX socket / or a TORX depending on model,

I've only had 50 / 50 luck getting them off , as the rusty threads love locking up and overloading the weedy splines... and once it's rounded.. I have to use a cutting wheel in the grinder to zip through the locked NUT + Threaded stud,

I'm sure most garages just grind them off anyway..,
Charlie

yes it is a hex one but the nut is like welded on and doesn't move even the tiniest bit (n)

so solution, angle grind the drop link off and get a new one???
 
Yep...I cut mine off first time I done mine...fairly cheap at £10 each...can be had for £10 a pair sometimes on ebay if ur prepared to wait!
All for the sake of a bit of copper grease!
 
don't buy the cheap ones off ebay. I did and they are rubbish. Lasted about 1 month and the ball joints collapse. Spend a little more and get good quality ones. I got my current pair from europarts and quality is spot on.
 
don't buy the cheap ones off ebay. I did and they are rubbish. Lasted about 1 month and the ball joints collapse. Spend a little more and get good quality ones. I got my current pair from europarts and quality is spot on.

I used the cheap ones on my old 1.6 and they were fine but I did hear of other people who weren't so lucky, will have a look round, thanks!
 
Yeah I've got cheapies 2 years ago and they are fine too...I did repack them with grease though!
Only 10min job to replace when not seized..
 
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anyway, not needed now after all, nut came off with a deep socket in the end... but not getting any further for now as my spring compressors are too long (read somewhere on the forum that the normal compressors were too short so though extra long ones were a good idea), and I don't have an angle grinder to cut it with:bang:

But will try again in a few days I guess(y)
 
Bikedoc...how easy is it to remove the roll bar? Will it just pull through once the roll bar bushes are removed??
Well, mine was really easy to get out as it was in two pieces! (y)

It comes out (in one piece) easily once everything is undone, just jack the front up on the subframe and remove wheels to get clearance.

I really don't miss mine at all, but then I rarely load it up fully, and I don't chuck it around corners much, can't afford the fuel or tyres!
 
anyway, not needed now after all, nut came off with a deep socket in the end... but not getting any further for now as my spring compressors are too long (read somewhere on the forum that the normal compressors were too short so though extra long ones were a good idea), and I don't have an angle grinder to cut it with:bang:

But will try again in a few days I guess(y)

Spring compressors too long? Have you taken the struts off the car?

Oh, I'm another one that didn't have much luck with cheap drop links. Bought a pair off ebay (I think the seller was ziggya2z) and they lasted less than 6 months. Followed that with a Birth pair from Shop4Parts. They've been much better and were still pretty cheap.
 
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Spring compressors too long? Have you taken the struts off the car?

No I might have got confused looking at different instructions, as I was changing the strut top mounts as well... I posted on here to see how it could be done...but the torrential rain stopped any further progress anyway...

Oh, I'm another one that didn't have much luck with cheap drop links. Bought a pair off ebay (I think the seller was ziggya2z) and they lasted less than 6 months. Followed that with a Birth pair from Shop4Parts. They've been much better and were still pretty cheap.
ok, good to know(y)
 
I'd definitely take the struts off first. Quick & easy- 3 nuts on the top turrets + 2clamp bolts at the bottom of the strut leg, a couple of clips for brake lines & you're done.
 
and btw, still considering replacing the drop links... mine is sitting really tight, like it's too long for the gap and the bottom nut is rounded off so I can't get that off to make it easier.
Does this make sense?

Have you got BOTH sides of the car up on axle stands? You need to get both front wheels clear of the ground.

To get the old ones off, file or grind 2 flats on the end of the threaded stud so that you've got something to get an adjustable spanner or pair of mole grips to hold onto, then crack the nut off & wind it back 2-3 turns. Then you can get a hacksaw between the nut and the end of the rollbar to cut through the stud.
 
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