Drop links How long should they last ? - Page 2

Jim Jamieson · 21st March 2013, 10:41

I had intended to get these drop links changed over before my trip to Perth but other things came up, but hopefully I will get them changed over when the weather is warmer.

JYJ

75driver · 21st March 2013, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Jamieson

As promised the new aftermarket drop links arrived FOC from Rimmers.

I decided to have an investigation just how much grease there would be in the joints and found this.

Absolutely none !

Now I may be just a bit fussy but I really do think some grease should be in these joints instead of just a smear of oily substance, even if it's just to keep the moisture and grit away from the bearing surfaces.

I did a further inspection on the OE ones fitted to the diesel and I can see that the top of the rubber seal although it is clipped onto the strut it can move about a bit and shows some rusty substance underneath.

When I do replace these links I will pack them with grease and on removing the "old" OE ones I will carry out a further inspection just to see how much grease is packed in them.

I will be monitoring the new ones fitted as to what mileage I get from them as opposed to the previous two sets.

On a happier note my V6 passed its' MOT with flying colours yesterday
with the front discs it failed on last year still fitted.

JYJ

Eh, just ordered a set of these aftermarket drop links from rimmers.
Should they really be packed with grease?. If so, any particular kind?

Dashiel · 22nd March 2013, 06:34

Oh dear you bought aftermarket front drop links from rimners?
Mine were shot after 1 thousand miles. Kapput.
Buy qdrive ones from eurocarparts if you want budget. They are much much better. I speak from experience.

stocktake · 22nd March 2013, 06:45

I have given in with drop links

I have paid top dollar and cheapo, none seem to get from one MOT to the next. ( Believe it or not I missed the OEM ones from Best of British

after giving advice on them

) I always cut the top of the thread off now on the upper joint as it makes removal so much easier. I can change mine without removing the wheel

and I do, just before every MOT

Trophy Blue Tourer · 22nd March 2013, 08:04

Just as a matter of interest!!!

Which end is it that normaly goes first?? top or bottom??

Reason I ask is that I bought my car just shy of 3 years ago at 121k miles and it's up to 166k now and still no problem with drop links (touchs wood

)

Now it's either on a second set of good ones that have done (at least) 45k miles or the orginals!!

- well you never know!!

Im thinking that perhaps fitting a grease nipple might not be a bad idea???

I'm almost finished with the rescue car and I thought I would use it for a month or 2 to "prove" it before selling while I drop both front and rear subframes + F/tank for a general overhaul of the underside new brake pipes and suspension/subrames - I intend to keep the ZT-T as long as poss!!

Any opinions?

Andy

David Lawrence · 22nd March 2013, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by stocktake

I have given in with drop links

I have paid top dollar and cheapo, none seem to get from one MOT to the next. ( Believe it or not I missed the OEM ones from Best of British

after giving advice on them

) I always cut the top of the thread off now on the upper joint as it makes removal so much easier. I can change mine without removing the wheel

and I do, just before every MOT

If its any consolation, I took your advice and got best of british, they've been on for 40,000 miles with no problems. As it happens, I got the best of british ones because before following that bit of advice, I followed your other bit of advice and cut the top of the thread off, only trouble was I cut it off the wrong end!

Dorset Bob · 22nd March 2013, 09:44

A bet that has cheered up Dave no end

What about Delphi ones? I would have thought that their stuff should be ok

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-Rover-7...item51a8c77d99

stocktake · 22nd March 2013, 11:14

Delph are OEM IIRC May purchase a pair

I have only ever seen the top joint fail on the links, I suppose it is the way the joint is stressed

Lovel · 22nd March 2013, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by stocktake

Delph are OEM IIRC May purchase a pair

I have only ever seen the top joint fail on the links, I suppose it is the way the joint is stressed

Just had a pair of Delphis fail with low milegae too (ok it was a Freelander) Now fitted originals in palce of the Delphis

Jim Jamieson · 22nd March 2013, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75driver

Eh, just ordered a set of these aftermarket drop links from rimmers.
Should they really be packed with grease?. If so, any particular kind?

IMO it certainly wont do any harm to remove the clips and pack them with any good quality grease as they only come with a light lubricant in them.

The secret is trying to keep the water out of the joint so as not create a grinding paste situation which will wear the joint.

Also to the other posts Yes it always seems to be the TOP joint and yes its's best to shorten the thread on the top joint to assist in fitting and removal

I will have my aftermarket ones with me on the trip to Perth (still not fitted) if anyone wants a gander!

JYJ

22nd March 2013, 06:45	#14
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,596 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	I have given in with drop links I have paid top dollar and cheapo, none seem to get from one MOT to the next. ( Believe it or not I missed the OEM ones from Best of British after giving advice on them ) I always cut the top of the thread off now on the upper joint as it makes removal so much easier. I can change mine without removing the wheel and I do, just before every MOT __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

22nd March 2013, 08:04	#15
Trophy Blue Tourer Gets stuck in MG ZT-T Trophy Blue CDTI Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 883 Thanks: 11 Thanked 25 Times in 18 Posts	Just as a matter of interest!!! Which end is it that normaly goes first?? top or bottom?? Reason I ask is that I bought my car just shy of 3 years ago at 121k miles and it's up to 166k now and still no problem with drop links (touchs wood) Now it's either on a second set of good ones that have done (at least) 45k miles or the orginals!! - well you never know!! Im thinking that perhaps fitting a grease nipple might not be a bad idea??? I'm almost finished with the rescue car and I thought I would use it for a month or 2 to "prove" it before selling while I drop both front and rear subframes + F/tank for a general overhaul of the underside new brake pipes and suspension/subrames - I intend to keep the ZT-T as long as poss!! Any opinions? Andy

22nd March 2013, 09:44	#17
Dorset Bob Senior Citizen Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur SE,Chrysler 300C,124 Spider, Daytona 955i,Honda XL250 & Royal Enfield 650GT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Kingdom of Wessex Posts: 6,976 Thanks: 2,391 Thanked 2,685 Times in 1,686 Posts	A bet that has cheered up Dave no end What about Delphi ones? I would have thought that their stuff should be ok http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-Rover-7...item51a8c77d99 __________________ Let the good times roll............

22nd March 2013, 11:14	#18
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,596 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	Delph are OEM IIRC May purchase a pair I have only ever seen the top joint fail on the links, I suppose it is the way the joint is stressed __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

21st March 2013, 10:41	#11
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	I had intended to get these drop links changed over before my trip to Perth but other things came up, but hopefully I will get them changed over when the weather is warmer. JYJ

22nd March 2013, 06:34	#13
Dashiel Posted a thing or two Rover 75 V6 2.0 Club Tourer LPG Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South East Posts: 1,405 Thanks: 3 Thanked 39 Times in 34 Posts	Oh dear you bought aftermarket front drop links from rimners? Mine were shot after 1 thousand miles. Kapput. Buy qdrive ones from eurocarparts if you want budget. They are much much better. I speak from experience.