Drop links

[cdbe]

The bane of my life when it comes to MOT time, I've had so many fail in the past few years I've now added a quick waggle to my rudimentary pre MOT check list (lights, tyres, horn and what I can see of the disks and pads). This time it's the rubber cover, a major fault! - it's not loose or worn, surely this should be an advisory.

Garage wanted £58 to do it (and they're normally quite reasonable). Took car, went to ECP (£13), chopped old one off, new one bolted on and back at garage 27 minutes later to receive MOT without much of a smile. I swear these things were just invented by car makers to keep garages in business. Also got an advisory for tyres with 3mm left on them together with a hefty quote for some new ones - garage has just invested in a "tyre bay"

I've ordered a spare from eBay for £7.50 for next time and I'll check my Berlingo tomorrow - that failed on a wishbone recently - garage said "there'll be a lot less knocking now", but it didn't knock before and it does now so I suspect it's the next weakest link that's failed.

Anyway, rant over, but I don't understand why they can't make them a bit better.

And do remember, if you're on a covid MOT extension it runs out the second your car fails (the 6 month extension doesn't count).

 

[Burnerman]

I now use Lemforder drop links.....I used to fit ones that came in a yellow and green box (name escapes me) but they only lasted 12 months if I was lucky. Courtesy of the Orient, of course. I'll post the make if I remember.
The Berlingo wishbone replacement is a breeze, and incorporates a new bottom joint too.
John

 

[troutybrown]

I now use Lemforder drop links.....I used to fit ones that came in a yellow and green box (name escapes me) but they only lasted 12 months if I was lucky. Courtesy of the Orient, of course. I'll post the make if I remember.
The Berlingo wishbone replacement is a breeze, and incorporates a new bottom joint too.
John

First line are yellow and green mate had their lower ball joints didn't last long at all.

 

[Burnerman]

Yep, that's the one.....hopeless stuff. A cv joint boot only lasted a year too.
Can't afford to use this make!
John

 

[ReganAndCarter]

I was thinking the same as John about looking into getting a better quality part. Is Euro Car Parts the home of quality - or just the parts with the cheapest headline price? I very rarely have to change suspension parts, and if I had to change anything regularly it would set alarm bells off about their durability. Buy cheap, buy twice.

 

[cdbe]

I generally tend to buy the cheapest part from the range that ECP sell on the basis that it doesn't have to last the life of the car, only the remaining life of the car, however I bought their cheapest started motor a few years ago and it lasted exactly 13 months so I'm starting to think it's a false economy.

 

[Burnerman]

I'm fortunate that my local factor (AV Taylor, only north east coverage though) is able to give me a choice of parts, most of the time.
Where possible its always Blueprint (Febi, Bilstein group) for me.
Unfortunately ECP don't give that choice often enough - you may like to look around for another factor?
John

 

[frutbunn]

I fit the cheapest as I don't do the mileage nor do I have to go up and down any rough farm roads these days and they seem to last, though when I did I used to have to replace the steering rack on a MK4 Escort ever MOT and had it down to under 15mins to change to change a track control arm.
I did splash out on expensive polyurethane rear bushes on my Fiesta to be fair, but that's just cos they come in two pieces and just push in, far easier than pratting about with one piece rubber ones.

 

[Keithmac]

Moog are supposed to be quality drop links/ ball joints etc.

Never had a car fail on a drop link in 20 odd years, never replaced one (must be lucky).

 

[MeldrewsMate]

I replaced both of my drop links ( I assume we're talking anti-roll bar drop links) 13 months ago on my 2010 Vauxhall Combo van. This year a regular knock developed over changes in camber and steering angle. After changing the strut top mounts (in error) I found it to be one of the ARB drop links that was worn out. The wear wasn't noticed on the MoT test (because the boot was OK?), but there's a lesson learned.
As said previously - buy cheap, buy twice (and if you're not on the ball, buy other parts unnecessarily)