Drop link failure - again!

p2roverman · 8th September 2017, 14:11

Fitted a pair of front drop links from Rimmers. Within a year and 4000 miles the top ball joint of one broke off from the shaft (two tiny welds failed) which gouged the inside of the front wheel and tangled in the spring.

Rimmers replaced it f.o.c. Within the following year the top joint of this replacement failed and the lower joint of the remaining original Rimmer one failed. Rimmers claim these components are to OEM spec, but how can this be true with failures like this?

I now run the car with just one odd link (make unknown) fitted to keep the roll bar off the ground, and haven't noticed any detriment to the handling. I'm tempted to remove it completely but this does not look simple.

I might add that front links from different sources are of different lengths, so they have to be changed in pairs.

I understand links from DMGRS are of better quality so will fit these for the mot. I'd welcome further comments about these troublesome components.

8th September 2017, 14:11	#1
p2roverman Gets stuck in Rover 75 Connie Tourer & Connie SE Saloon & Club SE Tourer Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Leeds Posts: 979 Thanks: 199 Thanked 71 Times in 59 Posts	Drop link failure - again! Fitted a pair of front drop links from Rimmers. Within a year and 4000 miles the top ball joint of one broke off from the shaft (two tiny welds failed) which gouged the inside of the front wheel and tangled in the spring. Rimmers replaced it f.o.c. Within the following year the top joint of this replacement failed and the lower joint of the remaining original Rimmer one failed. Rimmers claim these components are to OEM spec, but how can this be true with failures like this? I now run the car with just one odd link (make unknown) fitted to keep the roll bar off the ground, and haven't noticed any detriment to the handling. I'm tempted to remove it completely but this does not look simple. I might add that front links from different sources are of different lengths, so they have to be changed in pairs. I understand links from DMGRS are of better quality so will fit these for the mot. I'd welcome further comments about these troublesome components.