Drop link removal: any tips ?

cauchoiskev · Post by **cauchoiskev** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:36 am

Am I right in thinking that only the nut holds on the bottom of the drop links ?

I have removed the nut but it will still not budge. I have tried levering with a jemmy and mild bashing(afraid to damge the nut/thread), all to no avail. Same thing on both sides. Am I missing something ?

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 5:41 pm

I had problems with the drop links I replaced last year - but I think these problems were of a different kind, as I could turn nuts but found I was also turning the inserts in their sockets. This was particularly true of the top section. I resorted to violence (a hacksaw) as I was replacing the old ones anyway.

Since then have removed droplinks on another BX without problems during the course of other work, though I found that the droplink bottom end may require a little horizontal "persuasion" with a hammer. Are both wheels off-ground?

Jaba · Post by **Jaba** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:29 am

Yes Kev, just the nut.

You have to give it really heavy belts with a large hammer. Thread damage is almost inevitable. Try loosening the nut for a good few turns and using a short large drift, then you will only wreck the nut.

Its usually the top one that takes more time.

cauchoiskev · Post by **cauchoiskev** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:12 pm

OK, I'll give it max welly the next time

. Thanks gents.

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:48 pm

Or buy a ball joint splitter. Worth their weight in gold and only a few quid

cauchoiskev · Post by **cauchoiskev** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:39 pm

Yes, I've got one and had thought about that, but I can't see any way of getting it in place...

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:17 pm

I separated the bottom joint using a taper fork type of balljoint splitter. Its not a device I like much as it tends to damage the rubber boot - but that doesn't matter here as the joint is being replaced (not like a track rod end being removed during other work)

The top joint was a pain as its a simple straight shaft with a thread on top - so if the nut doesn't come undone easily the thing will just go round and I ended up sawing it off (which was surprisingly easy)

When I do the next one I'll clean and oil the thread first and screw another nut down it to clean the thread while its held fast. - Hopefully then it'll come undone easily.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/searc ... ter/page/1
This is the type I mean - you may be able to buy single ones either at MM or elsewhere.

cauchoiskev · Post by **cauchoiskev** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:56 pm

The top of my drop links have a flat for a small spanner to immobilize them. As far as I can remember, all the BX drop links I have seen were made like that.

Is this specific to France ?