dreaded C5 drop link

[sonoramicommando]

ok - so i finally got around diagnosing front end clunk on my C5. i still dont know for sure but from what i gathered from numerous C5 clunk posts here im positive its my problem.
i raised the car to highest setting and grabbed hold of the drop link - i could feel decent play on the near side one but couldnt do it on the offside drop link (but it might be on its way out too, judging from clunk noises).
questions i have are:
- if there is play with me shaking it, how much life does it have left? whats the consequence if it fails, worst case scenario?
- gsf doesnt seem to stock it any more, who are the most reliable and cheap vendors for this (im guessing i should buy lemforder one?), bearing in mind im in new zealand (i asked citroen dealer here, they quoted me about 130 pounds, including nuts and texas). are parts cheaper from france? i have a hookup in france who can possibly help me out.
cheers,
sam

[Lighty]

If there is play in it, replacement is obviously required, when they fail completely, one end will sometimes detach , but the consequences are not terrible.
£130 is madness, GSF definately do them, and I cant see them being more than £15 each, plus posting. If you get stuck, put your vin number up and I will get a price for you and send them if you like.

[sonoramicommando]

yeah im definitely replacing them - just need some time to source the parts at a "fair" price. citroen dealer did say they are ex-france with about 2 weeks lead time, so thats no better.
couldnt find on GSF website but i did leave a message.

[addo]

Ebay sellers redlinecarparts will do them for just over £32/pair, posted (QH brand) or Firstline brand ones for slightly less.

Their website's presently down but Acessoires Citroën L'Orient are usually good on TVA-exempt pricing.

[sonoramicommando]

how are they compared to lemforder ones, which are supposedly the best? rather not do this too often, although looks straightforward enough...

[Citroenmad]

If one has play replace it as soon as you can. If you think they both have play replace them both, its not worth making them last that bit longer, not least for the annoying rattle they give!

I always get mine from Citroen, about £35 each. Having used cheap ones in the past they have had a very short life, the Citroens ones last much better and so worth the extra money in my opinion.

[addo]

QH don't make anything. They're a brand. A QH pulley I bought recently, was branded Dayco on the item itself, but $15 cheaper than sold in a Dayco box...

I'm not a member of the Lemförder cheer squad who unquestioningly champion everything they make. Some of it is Chinese, some Spanish, some German. They seem to move the originating factory around based upon currency of the part (ie, as the model ages they may switch manufacturing of the parts to a less high-end facility so the top factory can provide high spec bits for newer models). I've had Lemförder drop links with badly formed threads - how the hell does this happen if they are all so good? Febi, Continental and TRW rate well in my books, too.

In recent times I have trialled Korean suspension bits with very good results, and Chinese tyres. If I have cause to become genuinely concerned about what something is doing, or looks like it may do (in terms of serious failure) I'll investigate promptly, but I can't see the merit in blindly following a brand anymore.

[sonoramicommando]

well, i dont believe in blind brand loyalty either but im going by forum consensus - some even stated that parts from citroen came with lemforder packaging, i think.
anyway, GSF came back to me, 11 pounds. i ll just have to see how much the shipping is going to cost me