M O D I F I C A T I O N S : SUSPENSION -- Poly Bushes (III)

Polyurethane bushes -- part I
Polyurethane bushes -- part II
---> Polyurethane bushes -- part III <---
Polyurethane bushes -- part IV

Anti-roll bar drop links and bushes - front
The anti-roll bar drop link connects the movable part of the suspension to the anti-roll bar. Every link has a pair of bushes, which can be replaced. Even the drop link itself can be replaced by an alloy one. I am not sure about the benefit of the new drop links, but they look nice, the fit perfectly, they have a smaller mass (mass of 1 link: 49g, mass of 1 link incl. bushes and inserts: 156g).

Again this is an easy DIY job, as long as you know how to remove a wheel ;o) Good point, jack up the car at the front and remove both wheels (one at a time is OK by me). Use the right tools to remove the bolt and nut that connect the drop link to the anti-roll bar. You won't believe it, but the upper bolt/nut set needs to be removed as well, so again remove it.

You will end up with some bolts, a couple of washers and nuts and the dull, old drop link. Insert the new bushes into the alloy drop link. Use the grease provided with the bushes.... otherwise it will be a nigthmare to get the bushes in place.

Fit the new drop link as shown above and below.... you see, nothing too difficult.

Finish the job by dropping the car gently onto its wheels and making sure the drop links are tightened up like they should be.

Anti-roll bar drop links bushes - rear
Same story for the bushes and drop links at the rear

Again this is an easy DIY job, which I (and a friend called Bruno) did combined with the change of the anti-roll bar bushes. Having both sides unattached and the bushes removed makes it easier to tighten up the drop links both sides together. This ensures you that the ARB is properly positioned and that every drop link has to deal with the same force. Once the new drop links are fitted, I tightened the brackets covering the anti-roll bar bushes.

Please note that there's a significant difference between the drop links and bushes for the rear and those for the front. It won't work the other way around... but off course you did notice that on the pictures.

If possible (and it is, but not really easy), check the bolts once the car is lowered on its wheels.

Polyurethane bushes -- part I
Polyurethane bushes -- part II
---> Polyurethane bushes -- part III <---
Polyurethane bushes -- part IV