Drop Link Nuts

[Jayton]

So I sprayed my drop link nuts I still have to replace with a load of WD40, I gave it a few coats and left it over night...

 

I get my 18mm socket on the top nut with breaker bar thinking it was going to be another battle like it was the day before... I gave it a good heave and ...

 

 

**CRACK**

 

It came loose, but it just kept spinning and spinning... Great!

 

Angle grinder? :wacko: hacksaw? :huh: plasma cutter? :huh:

 

So now what do you all suggest I do, bar take it to a garage? What tools would be able to hold the top inner threaded shaft still?

[Phil]

Hi Jayton,

If you look the otherside of where the droplink bolts, you will see that each side of the base of the shaft is flat, use a spanner on this to hold the shaft still.

 

HTH

Phil

[Jayton]

Hi Phil,

 

I had a look on the replacement item and couldn't see this flat bit you mentioned.

 

I'm not with the car at the mo so can't look, would I need to remove the rubber coverings?

So you know off hand what size spanner I would need?

 

Cheers,

Jay

[SolarB]

Some have flats, some have a hex key recess on the inside on the bolt. If yo don't have hex keys there should be flats hidden under the dust cover.

[tim-spam]

My old drop links had flats, but the new Lemforder ones have a 12 point splined recess in the end of the shaft.

[daran71]

The other option is to get a big block of wood and wedge it behind the ball joint end end and get someone to apply plenty of pressure while you undo the nut!! It is an option if you cant find or get to the flat!!

[seatkid]

The flats are on the collar at the end of the threaded bit. Edited June 23, 2010 by seatkid

[Jayton]

I had a quick peak when I got home and didn't see a hex recess on the current one like the new one has, so the must gave a flat. I'll have a look tomorrow in the light.

[new nige]

I had a quick peak when I got home and didn't see a hex recess on the current one like the new one has, so the must gave a flat. I'll have a look tomorrow in the light.

 

mine had flats but completely seized, careful not to damage ABS sensor wiring if you lock the flats with a spanner, I ended up junior hack sawing 3 out of 4 bolts, which actually was quite quick (say 10 min each).

[v6mikey]

Just changed my drop links. Again only 10 mins each side. Didn't take the wheels off, just turned the wheels to allow access.

 

OMG What a difference. Drives very quiet now, very pleased.

 

:D

[Jayton]

can you beleive I still need to do this? :D

 

I should have time this weekend. I seriously hate parking on an incline and relying on doing things round the outlaws :D

[big boy stevie]

must be national droplink day i changed mine today and what a difference no banging suspension and one happy wife, i do the bottom bolt first as top bolt holds if firm while you undo it as antiroll bar is a bit floppy to get a good hold of, then i got impact gun and 15mm spanner and off she come battery impact gun great investment for jobs like these, i painted calipers while i was there aswell been a busy boy toady and started refurb on mullered alloys the old bus is comming along nicely.

[mikej]

I do hope you all bought the genuine Ford jobbies because if you didn't you'll be doing them again very shortly lol.. :D i put three pairs of aftermarket ones on in twelve months and then had to bite the bullet and go to Fords, all is now well. Edited July 5, 2010 by mikej

[big boy stevie]

got my first set off ebay had them on car for year and a half and just sold it a mk 1 2.3 glx still working fine and just bought another set from same seller

[v6mikey]

Drove the Sharan again this morning down a small country lane and still cannot believe the difference these small drop links make. It so smooth and quiet now! Its like a new car!

 

I also bought my drop links from ebay £11.00 for 2 delivered! :D

 

Will let you know how they last.

Edited July 7, 2010 by v6mikey