ARB drop links MOT advisory

[Scaleybrat]

Last week had my 2012 SV Roadsport in for an MOT. It picked up an advisory for the ARB drop links on both sides. To be fair, I can hear some noise coming from the rear when I’m driving at low speeds over a rough section of road. I’ve skimmed the various forums and replacement joints from McGill Motorsport got positive comments so I now have them for when I decide to do the work.
I took a look under the car today and was surprised to see this drop link set up.

I expected to see the ends at 180 degrees from each other which I think is achievable if the spacer is removed from the top connection. Does this set up look standard or should I change it with the drop link in a more vertical plane, dispensing with the top spacer and the lower end facing inboard (180 degrees from the top)?

[AinsleyB]

That looks wrong, I've just finished building a 420R. There is no spacer and the ends should be at 180 degrees, so opposite facing, thereby not needing the spacer.

You can probably Google the latest build manual to see.

[Scaleybrat]

AinsleyB said:

That looks wrong, I've just finished building a 420R. There is no spacer and the ends should be at 180 degrees, so opposite facing, thereby not needing the spacer.

You can probably Google the latest build manual to see.

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I saw photos on Caterham7diaries that align with your comments. I’ll try and get the latest build manual and follow that or try and replicate photos I’ve found of other builds. The current install just didn’t look right to my eyes.

[WombleCate]

I have a ‘12 S3 that started out as an academy car, then roadsport etc.

While I don’t do the spanners, having adjusting the rear ARB that does look odd to me. Pretty confident I have the build manual, if you message me I can send over. Could also share photos as am at Brands with the car tomorrow.

[DCL]

What you've got is correct.

[Scaleybrat]

WombleCate said:

I have a ‘12 S3 that started out as an academy car, then roadsport etc.

While I don’t do the spanners, having adjusting the rear ARB that does look odd to me. Pretty confident I have the build manual, if you message me I can send over. Could also share photos as am at Brands with the car tomorrow.

I downloaded the manual and, as Ainsley B said, the ends should be 180 degrees to each other. My car is a factory build and was used initially as their demonstrator. I’m guessing the drop links have been changed at some time and somebody bodged it! Hopefully when I do the change I’m not going to discover the reason why it’s ended up the way it currently looks.

[Scaleybrat]

DCL said:

What you've got is correct.

Every day is a school day

Many thanks DCL - do you have any further details or where I can find out more so I can change the ‘spacers’?

[DCL]

I think the spacer was used to avoid clearance issues with the wheel and tyre on all the settings. The whole lot does move around quite a bit when used on track. But if you find a better solution, there's no reason not to try it.

[Scaleybrat]

DCL said:

I think the spacer was used to avoid clearance issues with the wheel and tyre on all the settings. The whole lot does move around quite a bit when used on track. But if you find a better solution, there's no reason not to try it.

Thanks - I think the inspector was being pernickety because the movement is very minimal. I’ll keep it ‘original’ but wait until the winter before replacing.

[Blue 7]

David is right, there were potentially clearance issues with Caterham’s original set up with the drop links positioned outboard of the anti roll bar.

When I had my car set up at DPR, they used the stiffest setting on the ARB, but had to fit the spacer as the drop links made contact with the wheel when they were moved to the forward most hole.

I’ve since softened off the rear ARB, but I’ve kept the spacer. I haven’t noticed any more play in the drop links as a result.

[BertBert]

Scaleybrat said:

Thanks - I think the inspector was being pernickety because the movement is very minimal. I’ll keep it ‘original’ but wait until the winter before replacing.

Where in the linkage is the movement?

[Scaleybrat]

BertBert said:

Where in the linkage is the movement?

The movement is small so it’s difficult to tell while it’s all connected up but I think it’s from the lower ball joints on the drop link.

[Reindeer]

Have you got a link to the drop links you bought please?

[Scaleybrat]

Reindeer said:

Have you got a link to the drop links you bought please?

https://www.mcgillmotorsport.com/m8-x-1.25mm-male-female-ball-joint-/-track-rod-end-c-89-p-335

Haven’t bought complete drop links, just the track rod ends

[Scaleybrat]

Just to close out the thread, I replaced the rod ends on the drop links this afternoon. The McGill items are certainly bit more substantial than the Caterham ones and I’m well pleased with the result. When I got the old ones out all the ends had some play to various degrees, not a lot but obviously enough for the MOT inspector to flag up an advisory. Apparently, Summer will be on August 2nd up here so now I’m ready to enjoy with a blat.