Noisey Suspension

[Guest chrisH]

I've been waiting for the right time to replace the drop links on the Gal, well it finally arrived. :unsure:

 

This weekends weather was far to nice to miss the opportunity so attack them i did.

 

The original droplinks were stuck on solid, sprayed penertration oil on them, heated them up, hit them with the hammer.

Nothing would remove the bottom nut.

2 hrs later i ended up hacksawing the bottom one off.

 

It then took 10 mins max to get the new one on, the wheel back on and lowered to the ground.

 

Anyway, car is now silent again.

 

A word of advice, the ones i got from the motorfactors have flat edges on the back for a second spanner to grip, unlike the original ones that needed an allen key on the front that kept slipping.

 

Found it so easy to do I had a go at the misses Fiesta, that was even easier, both drop links and the anitroll bar bushes replaced and back on the road within 1/2 hr.

 

Cost of drop links

[Nick]

Was going to replace drop links on mine - can't shift either nut!!! Looks like I'll be taking to the dealer :)

[Masked Marauder]

Was going to replace drop links on mine - can't shift either nut!!! Looks like I'll be taking to the dealer :)

Don't be a tart! Spend a few quid on a nut splitter!

 

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/s.nl/sc.9/cat...it.A/id.5681/.f

[Nick]

Managed to do the near side one! You gotta let the WD40 soak a while!! Then found that the link on there had flats for a spanner. That helped, a lot. The new one from Ford does not have flats, but a star type alan socket - bloody hopeless because then you won't be able to get a socket on the nut!

Wow what a diference - no knocking!

[Ivor]

My Alhambra is 5 years old now (53,000mls) and I've not had to replace the drop links (yet).

 

Over the last two weeks or so, I've started to get and annoying rattle that could be the links. Anyone any piccies so I know were to look to check them? (or describe where they are).

[Guest stawarz]

Look behind the front wheel and near to the suspension strut for a vertical linkage about 9 inches long with rubber bushes at each end. Grab it in the middle and give it a good shake, if you feal any play then it needs replacing.

 

To save bending down found grabbing hold of the roof rails and push and pull the car back and forth will also highlight the drop-link rattle.

[Ivor]

Thanks for that, I'll check tonight.

 

It's so annoying once you hear it you start listening for it and it only happens every 1/2 mile or so when the road surface isn't flat.

 

I found a piccy here.

[Ivor]

I've got my drop links from GSF at ~

[seatkid]

I'll soak my nuts tonight <_< and fit them tomorrow.

Nothing like a good hot bath to clear the mind... :lol:

[Ivor]

Well that wasn't too difficult.

 

I've swapped the passenger side drop link. The top ball joint was shot.

 

The suspension rattle/knock is cured. :D

 

I'll swap the offside tomorrow if I get chance.

 

(I just love this forum :P )

[Masked Marauder]

I will be doing mine on Thursday. I have had the parts for a few weeks now, but just getting round to it :P

 

I feel cheated though, I got mine from GSF and they did not come in plastic bags....

[Dave-G]

:P Ivor - If it dont knock - dont change it - it might be ok for smiles and smiles yet :D

[Ivor]

...I feel cheated though, I got mine from GSF and they did not come in plastic bags....

I'll save the bags for you :D

 

  Ivor - If it dont knock - dont change it - it might be ok for smiles and smiles yet 

I thought should I/shouldn't I, but now I know what the noise is like I'm sure I can sometimes detect a very slight rattle :P and they have done 53,000 miles.

[Dave-G]

:P Ivor: "and they have done 53,000 miles".

 

:D oooooo you lucky puppy :D

 

I reckon the cheap ones in bag are probably CHEAP in quality too - one of the ones I replaced this winter have gone allready :D

[Ivor]

I reckon the cheap ones in bag are probably CHEAP in quality too -

:P