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Old 15th August 2014, 22:03   #1
Arctic
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Default Drop Links Fitting Front

Hi fellow R75 MG ZT owners with my MOT pending i decided to fit some new front drop links which i have had for quite a while now, the main reason was that the rubber boots started to perish but were still keeping out dust etc, but better to be safe than sorry, below follows how i did the fitting.

Two days earlier i cut 7mm of the top thread of the new drop links, so i could get a ring/ open spanner on the nut when i fitted them on the 15/8/2014.

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Dress the end of the thread after cutting.
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D

First of all i jacked the car up and lowered it on to some axle stands, that way you can deal with both sides instead of one side at a time.
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Remove both wheels
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With both road wheels removed turn the steering on full lock to face you so you can work easier on the drop link nuts, mine were 15mm use a socket and an open ended spanner on the flat of the drop link.
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Start with the bottom joint first
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With the nut removed lever or tap the thread out of the anti roll bar end.
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You can now deal with the top drop link nut, put the open spanner on the flat of the drop link try turning to undo, it should move as the bottom is not fitted in to the anti roll bar, once it as moved a few turns you should be able to get a ring spanner over the top nut.
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Keep turning the the drop link using the flat/or by hand while holding the nut in place with the ring spanner and it should come free.
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Now removed all you need to do is clean the areas that the new link will be fitted to.
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Clean and add a little copper grease
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You can now offer up the new drop link top first and make sure the nut is on straight not cross theaded tighten it up at least by 7mm so the thead is flush with the nut.
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Fit the bottom of the link into the anti roll bar.
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Now tighten up the top nut of the drop link to how tight you think it was before undoing then add a quarter turn.
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Do the same with the bottom nut using a socket and a torque if you have one if not do the same as above.
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Repeat the process on the opposite side of the car.
bottom nut first again levering it out after nut removed..
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Then remove the top nut if the drop link will not turn or is turning with the nut you can grind down a spanners edge, so it will fit into the recess of the top joint as below
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This should get the link moving, if you do not have a grinder to grind down a spanner, try a wedge in the recess.
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Add the new drop link as above and before.
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fit the bottom
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Job done double check everthing lower the car i will check again on the nuts in a couple of days.
The reason i decided to change the drop links rubber perishing.
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Good luck Arctic. :thumbsup:
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Last edited by Arctic; 8th October 2019 at 13:09.. Reason: Photo Editing
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Old 16th August 2014, 09:39   #2
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Great post
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Old 16th August 2014, 10:17   #3
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Default + top strut bearing

I noticed one of mine was oozing but thought this could not also be the cause of creaking and groaning - so my local village garage diagnosed top strut bearings. So they did both. The chap who changed the bearing said it took FIVE spring compressors before he was happy to release it without "taking my head off. Don't try this on your drive" was his verdict.
Anyway I'm jolly glad they did it and it has solved the suspension creaks.
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Old 16th August 2014, 10:46   #4
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I have some flexible joint spanners (a bit like a crow's foot spanner) which fit without grinding the edge off a normal one, also the ring on a combination spanner also fits. But excellent guide on "How to"
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Old 16th August 2014, 13:57   #5
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Great post, another "Gold Star" for Arctic.
Deserves a place in the How To section.

Ken.
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Old 16th August 2014, 14:00   #6
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Agreed, let's get this in the How To section.
They're not the easiest to fit.
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Old 16th August 2014, 14:10   #7
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Thats a brilliant 'How to' and with nice clear photos and description.
I have often wondered what people meant when they mentioned about replacing these drop links. Ill be doing mine before winter comes thanks to this.
Cheers Arctic.
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Old 16th August 2014, 14:16   #8
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Doing one of my 75 this week along with anti roll bar bushes. Don't think it's strut to bearings as grumbling noise coming from bottom centre of car
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Old 16th August 2014, 18:47   #9
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Excellent, well presented and clear Tech. post - Nice one and thank you Mr Arctic!!
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Old 17th August 2014, 07:21   #10
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Another excellent and informative guide Steve, well done.

This guide has now been copied into the How-To: Engine & Technical section for reference

How To Change Front Drop Links
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