Which drop links

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 05 May 2004, 00:21

So...... GSF drop links are a tenner, Citroen items are thirty quid. Are the GSF ones up to the job or is it worth paying out for the genuine article?

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 05 May 2004, 00:34

I've just bought some oil filters this afternoon at GSF, all packed in Citroen boxes. Had I gone farther along the road to Lovekyn's Citroen Parts Dept., I would probably have paid twice the price for the same article. Yes! the GSF drop links will be up to the job.

Dave Burns · Unread post by **Dave Burns** » 05 May 2004, 23:59

There are two sizes of threads on the links, early ones (>12/94) are 10mm and later ones (1/95>) are 12mm, if you need the later ones I would recomend the N42264, they don't come with new nuts.
Dave

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 06 May 2004, 03:42

Just picked one up from GSF ( they only had one ) and it has nuts with it. Haven't checked the thread sizes yet but its a N42265 I think. This is to fit a '99 V6.

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 07 May 2004, 01:28

Well, I just spent a lovely evening fitting the new drop link. Had to resort to the usual BF&I to get the old one off but managed it in the end with the aid of blowtorch, hammer, molegrips etc. A quick test drive and so far so good, no knocking noises. Will have to do the other side at the weekend as GSF now have another in stock.

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 10 May 2004, 02:09

Aaarrgghhh..... tried to fit the other drop link this afternoon, all was going well until I tried to fit the new GSF one and one of the bolts snapped. Couldn't believe it. Used the same torque wrench settings as the other three @ 52ft/lb and bang! sheared straight off[xx(] so now I've got to mess about trying to get a replacement from GSF tomorrow and I'm carless untill it's sorted. Perhaps I should have spent out on Citroen items after all.
Still, on a brighter note I discovered that it's dead easy to get at the fog lamp bulbs by just removing the headlamps. Far easier than removing the bumper.[8D]

David Goddard · Unread post by **David Goddard** » 10 May 2004, 03:37

You do have fun. I used an angle grinder (carefully) to remove a drop link bolt. By the way 52 ft/lb sounds rather high. Check in a Haynes, I would say 32 ft/lb is more likely ??

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 10 May 2004, 04:33

Fun? Fun! bleedin' Citroens, think I'll go and get meself a nice Focus.
Haynes specify 52ft/lb for the M12 studs but then what do Haynes know? Next one goes on finger tight!!!!

wotsupnow · Unread post by **wotsupnow** » 10 May 2004, 20:53

I didn't bother trying to undo my old ones, I used a junior hacksaw pressed against the washer and went through the nut and half the stud, a quick turn then with the spanner and it sheers off, both sides done in half an hour including removing wheels and blocking up etc.
Pete

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 11 May 2004, 02:12

I had to resort to the angle grinder on the last bolt. Happy to report that GSF supplied a replacement drop link FOC and it's now fitted and working fine. I reduced the torque wrench setting to 40 ft/lb though .

Richard Gallagher · Unread post by **Richard Gallagher** » 11 May 2004, 02:17

[quote]<i>Originally posted by Stempy</i>

Fun? Fun! bleedin' Citroens, think I'll go and get meself a nice Focus.
Let me know, I quite liked the look of your Xantia yesterday, yet another one to the fleet.
Make sure you get the misfire sorted first though[:D]

David Goddard · Unread post by **David Goddard** » 11 May 2004, 02:25

There's spooks about. Last night I comment on anti-roll bar drop links and tonight - gI get a bit of a scraping noise and I find the ball joint at one end of one of mine has become detached! Typical.

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 11 May 2004, 03:11

Hope you don't develop a misfire too! You wouldn't happen to know which are cylinders 2 & 6 would you? They obviously bear no relation to the numbering on the coil pacK and leads.