super6al Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 Hi All, I recently purchased a pair of rear lever arm drop links & I'm interested in the forums opinion about the quality of construction. Se attached photos of new v original. There is a gap where the shaft attaches to the ball joint. I'm concerned at the reduction in diameter at this point will effect strength & also that this will cause a stress raiser. The other concern is the ball itself does not encircle the rubber in the same way as the original. Ive contacted the supplier who say they have sold upto 20 of these without any complaints, however they have offered a refund. I guess OEM ones are not available now but does anyone stock a better an alternative that more replicates the original design. Thanks Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 Hi Alan, why not fit it and see how it turns out. OEM items are not available and most suppliers interchange their stock with each other. Revington, possibly, may do something different. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 They are actually meant to be stronger than the original but the quality of modern rubber is a concern and yes rubber do fail after 2-3 years but I've never heard of the ball popping out of the housing. The alternative would be trying something similar to the TR4 design Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 9 minutes ago, Geko said: They are actually meant to be stronger than the original but the quality of modern rubber is a concern and yes rubber do fail after 2-3 years but I've never heard of the ball popping out of the housing. The alternative would be trying something similar to the TR4 design Unfortunately that wont fit the trailing arm. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grahamgl Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 Hi Alan, Try Marco on here. He makes a much better option. Graham Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kevo_6 Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 Hi Rimmers do these https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-GZS806BJ but i’ve not tried them yet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 (edited) 8 hours ago, Grahamgl said: Hi Alan, Try Marco on here. He makes a much better option. Graham Hi Graham, thanks for that, indeed I made and sold some oft them, but at the moment I have no time to make them. So I can only recommend to Alan to try the uprated Rimmer ones, to me they seem to be very solid. Ciao, Marco Edited May 28, 2019 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
super6al Posted May 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 Hi Everyone Thanks for he replies, as always, this forum offers excellent support! I've had a good look at my originals & the rubber doesn't seem too bad (its as good as the repro rubber). I will clean them up & refit. Worse case, they quite easy to replace later. Im just not confident with the repro ones. Thanks Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Litespud Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 Good Parts make an all-metal set with ball joints. I can’t feel a difference between these and stock, but I expect them to last longer than repro stock, which are of variable durability (I have gone through two sets in 8 years) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark69 Posted June 17, 2019 Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 (edited) Picture say it all, rubber was pushed out the uneven hole when under pressure. Replaced with better quality ones. I was dubious about the welded joint, so I put the ball end in the vice and bent the link forward and it snapped straight off. I'll try and find invoice for replacements. Edited April 14, 2020 by Mark69 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark69 Posted June 17, 2019 Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 (edited) A Edited April 14, 2020 by Mark69 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted June 18, 2019 Report Share Posted June 18, 2019 I would try the Rimmer upgraded links. Ciao, Marco Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted June 18, 2019 Report Share Posted June 18, 2019 Funnily enough the Rimmer ones are exactly the same as the rear Antiroll bar drop links on my Volvo! Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
super6al Posted June 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2019 Thats exactly the failure I was afraid of in my original post. I cleaned my original ones up & are in the process of refitting them. Its scary that these sort of things are allowed to go on sale, especially where safety is at stake. Its not the first time I've been caught out with repro parts. Although not as critical, a Lucas fuel pump overhaul kit I purchased was next to useless - motor brushes incorrect orientation,springs different length & 2 self tapper supplied when threaded fixing are original. Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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