Yes Drop Links Again

[alanaslan]

In these reduced mileage years you would expect to get a reasonable time before having to change drop links.
Last year due to COVID both the cars MOTs were extended till December. The wife’s Silver saloon had its rear subframe and all front and rear suspension parts replaced. The Brakes were done from the nipple to the pedal. In March 2020. This postponed the Spice tourers refit till March 2021.
The saloon had Borg and Beck drop links fitted as there was a set or three on the shelf. My son stole the Silver Saloon when he had his third child as you can get three hiback car seats across the back seat of the Rover. So far I have had two calls from him the first was the car would not start all the warning lights were on but it would not turn over.
Told him to push the gear selector fully forward and as I said it I heard the car start in the background. Last Wednesday with 4218 miles since the refurb he called to say the had been a banging noise as he backed into the drive. When I arrived I saw a drop link lying on the ground minus both ends. So Thursday saw a new pair fitted we will see how long they last. I have a theory that all droplinks are knocked out in the same factory in The PRC and boxed according to who has ordered them.
This is the lowest mileage I have had a link fail at and the first time balls ripped out both ends. Though there are 10 times as many pot holes about the roads up here than normal.
Any body else having bother with short lived car parts?


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[MSS]

I don't have any premature parts wear issues - never have done. Even drop links last around 4 years and 40k miles.

[alanaslan]

Usually I get about 5 years from them which used to be 100k but this overhaul was a disaster.


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[trikey]

I don't have any premature parts wear issues - never have done. Even drop links last around 4 years and 40k miles.

I am surprised with the roads around your area!!

[alanaslan]

I have been looking back over what was fitted when to which car. The Gold Tourer had the last pair of Monrow front struts I had on the shelf. It also got the custom front springs.
The saloon got a pair of Rover struts and purple and brown front and rear springs. Along with a pair of Avo custom saloon dampers.
Whilst the spice got Avo custom rear dampers, the springs were only a year old and matched the label under the back seat whilst the front springs seemed new fitted at the same time as the rears from measurement they would seem to be V6 2.5 springs, that is from memory as I can’t find my book with diameter and length tables in it. But she sits at the correct height wheel centre to wheel arch, perhaps even 3mm higher the struts seemed a touch damp so the pair at the front of the shelf went on. I can’t remember the make but they were made in Sweden so that should narrow it down . All suspension bushes arms came from DGMRS. The tourer is a year behind the saloon, uses the same roads but covered 60% more miles per year. Since August she is now doing more than twice that of the saloon. So far apart from the Christmas tree lights on the dash she has had no problems other than pot hole killed tyres. Last month saw 3 sidewall damaged tyres less than 800 miles and only 4 weeks old. So off with the premium tyres and on with a set of cheep budget ones. Why have a £100 tyre done in when you can have a £45 tyre done in they don’t last as long but with the pot holes it matters not.


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[MSS]

I am surprised with the roads around your area!!


The last Delphi droplinks that were replaced on the 75 had lasted about 43k miles. The Sachs sprigs about 7-8 years.

The original droplinks on the Corsa have just been replaced at 87k miles with Meyle HD units. It will be interesting to see how long they last.

[DMGRS]

We find ours last well - and at under £15 each with a 4 year warranty you'll likely not need to go near them for a long time :)
https://www.dmgrs.co.uk/products/rover-75-mg-zt-front-drop-links-rbm100240

As much as they all do seem to have quite a short lifespan, having been through the 'major' sources I can indeed confirm they are different, some with some good ideas integrated into the design and some with some real 'facepalm' build quality issues.

[alanaslan]

We find ours last well - and at under £15 each with a 4 year warranty you'll likely not need to go near them for a long time :)
https://www.dmgrs.co.uk/products/rover-75-mg-zt-front-drop-links-rbm100240

As much as they all do seem to have quite a short lifespan, having been through the 'major' sources I can indeed confirm they are different, some with some good ideas integrated into the design and some with some real 'facepalm' build quality issues.


Thanks guys, one pair ordered to go on the shelf, yesterday I took delivery of a pair sills all the way from Poland. I suspect they will end up on the Spice Tourer. These sills are exact to my brown paper template. Personally I would prefer to braze them on. But the powers at be, insist in either seam weld Or the same as original, which I suspect would be spot welded.
So I guess when it comes time it will be dissimilar TIG seam welded.


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[DMGRS]

Smashing - thank you. :)
It sounds like your cars are in the right hands in terms of TLC - it's great to see people spending real time and money on these fantastic motors.

If you need a hand with anything give us a shout - and best of luck with the work.