Front ARB Drop Links T2 2.7tdi (2001)

[TONUP]

After noticing a bit of an unusual noise from the front end recently, I finally got around to taking the front wheels off this morning to take a look at the running gear. After checking the wheel bearings, I used a pry bar to check the various bushes for any play, and discovered that the drop link on both the offside and nearside are in quite poor condition.

I have decided i need to order a couple of new ones and replace them, which appears to be a fairly straight forward undertaking (fingers crossed).

One thing that concerns me is that the drop links on either side are of differing lengths, and design.

I'm guessing that one of them was changed previously for an MOT, but it would be helpful if someone could advise me on which type I should get. The offside one looks the oldest (see pics below)...

Nearside

Offside

Thanks for any help.

Regards

Alan

 

[J66P]

looks like you could need a cv boot on the one side as well (top picture) as there is a fair bit of greasey residue about

links should be same length I am sure, guessing you are right that one will have been changed before

 

[stinka]

Mine kept pulling the link through the top washer, it would just destroy itself, replaced it twice. This is from articulation at pay and play, hence why I binned my front arb

 

[solarman216]

just pop in to your local parts guy, I have Jayar in Hastings (on the shelf) or Autolec in Bexhill (next day) about £15 for the pair, Rick

 

[TONUP]

looks like you could need a cv boot on the one side as well (top picture) as there is a fair bit of greasey residue about

links should be same length I am sure, guessing you are right that one will have been changed before

I noticed that when I had a look around, I couldn't find any tears or splits in it though, but I will monitor it. I think changing the CV boot is a bit of a 'monster' of a job though!

Thanks

Alan

 

[TONUP]

Mine kept pulling the link through the top washer, it would just destroy itself, replaced it twice. This is from articulation at pay and play, hence why I binned my front arb

Would that be acceptable for a MOT?

Regards

Alan

 

[TONUP]

just pop in to your local parts guy, I have Jayar in Hastings (on the shelf) or Autolec in Bexhill (next day) about £15 for the pair, Rick

Yes that might be the best bet, and support a local retailer as well. Could be a win win!

Thanks

Alan

 

[Peasgood1]

I noticed that when I had a look around, I couldn't find any tears or splits in it though, but I will monitor it. I think changing the CV boot is a bit of a 'monster' of a job though!

Thanks

Alan

I used a split one on mine that comes with special glue to stick it back together. No need to dismantle anything.

I doubt the longevity of it but it got through the MOT.

I thought you had sprayed WD40 on your droplink TBH.

 

[TONUP]

I used a split one on mine that comes with special glue to stick it back together. No need to dismantle anything.

I doubt the longevity of it but it got through the MOT.

I thought you had sprayed WD40 on your droplink TBH.

I had sprayed WD40 on the bolts, ready for the next round (so to speak). Well spotted

I think I will have another detailed look when I start on the drop links though.

I'll take a look at the split CV boots though. Thanks for the tip.

Regards

Alan

 

[firebobby]

If you look in the workshop downloads, there's a piece in there that takes you through the job step by step. It's an easy job to do though, can be a bit fiddly

 

[rustic]

I had sprayed WD40 on the bolts, ready for the next round (so to speak)...

You need the spray the nut of the drop link within the lower wish bone too.:thumb2

When assembling, you have the flats on the drop link, which stop it rotating whilst you tighten up the lower nut on the wish bone, and also there is a recess in the ARB threaded part that takes an Allen key, so when you tighten the nut with a ring spanner, you can stop the unit rotating. :thumb2

Have an angle grinder handy, just in case the nuts are difficult to remove.

Whole job should take less than an hour, including a cup of tea...:lol:lol
You don't need to jack up the front end, but make sure the vehicle is level as you don't want any torque in the ARB.

It might help to have a jack handy, to raise one side a little if you have difficulty assembling.

Rustic

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Mine were so badly mangled, I think the previous owner fitted them using stillson, and I could not get anything on them to undo them.

I found it easier to take the whole ARB off, it is only 4 bolts more, and it was a lot easier to refit the links too, before I put it back on as well.

 

[TONUP]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

Some good stuff imparted there!

Regards

Alan