My car seems to eat these, although I think the last set were pattern parts which aren't as good as OE ones.

I know that it's not particularly a difficult operation to change them out but a) I've got enough other work to be getting on with, without adding these to the list and b) there's always that risk you'll damage the balljoint on the wishbone when you take it out the hub.

So, what are other people doing; Rich? sparco? Do you just run standard ones and replace when required? I guess it's more likely bumpy b-roads that take their toll rather than relatively smooth race circuits?

I had an inkling to poly-bush one but having just taken it apart it doesn't look as easy as I'd envisaged. The bush at the top (goes round the ARB) has a curved profile and is actually really quite thin with a relatively thick metal tube in the middle. So buying a 'universal' poly bush and fitting it in there I dont think would work very well, not to mention finding one of good dimensions without having to drill out the centre bore.

Now, the construction of a drop link is fairly simple. Bit of bar, thread on the end, small collar and welded onto a bush housing at the top.

I dont think it would be that overly-difficult to get one fabricated. The dimensions could be selected to suit an easily available off-the shelf universal bush (obviously keeping the same centre bore to fit onto the ARB) and in fact does it even need any rubber in there at all? Where's the problem in just making it solid?

Bushes to fit where it attaches to the wishbone shouldn't be too big a deal as they are available in PU - just a case of finding one of the correct dimensions.

Anyone any thoughts?

Use Lancia Dedra Integrale drop links, They're the same fit but the "rubber" parts are harder and a little more substancial. I've got them on mine with the Dedra front roll bar, very good but they still flog out fairly quickly.

Cheers Tim

just guessing, but as alfa is really the same company...........are you sure they have harder rubbers ?

Yep, Also there slightly bigger (wider) than the std ones. they are definately an improvement, all be it a small one.

Cheers Tim

Could you not just buy some 'racey' drop links (with pillow ball at one end and a thread at the end)

The its just a case of getting somewhere to machine 2 discs to fit at the bottom of the wishbone (1 with a thread and 1 without at the bottom)

Screw the disc onto the drop link so that some of it is poking out the bottom, push through the wishbone and tighten up

Chris

Sigh, just ordered the original fiat's today. Oh well, those will already be an improvement compared to my current ones which broke off when releasing the nut.

Would love somebody to knock up some proper droplinks... If any body does, please let me know.

Cheers Tim

I replaced them with original Fiat items around 18 months ago and I've noticed when checking the wishbones ball joints that they are worn already. They've done roughly 15000 miles in that time and around 13,000 miles of that was on the motorway. It seems they wear at a rate that makes them worth changing when I do a 12k service.

ok Tim thanks they will be worth a try then

How can you tell when they're knackered? Can you move them or anything by hand, or is it just the clunking noise that tells you?

The main give-aways were the loud clunking noise and the cracked and falling-to-bits rubber bushes.

Well, I have a clunking noise on mine on the left front when I go over bumps. I've been told is probably the drop link, but I had it up on ramps the other day and the rubber looked solid enough and I couldn't wobble it by hand or anything even with a good tug. I was hoping it was going to look buggered and be wobbly as that would be an easy diagnosis.
It's probably something more expensive.

You couldn't ever apply the amount of force on your suspension by hand than is in effect when your driving. It could still be drop links causing your knocking.

Yeah, I'm hoping it is! I might as well just replace them anyway as they're not expensive and its not going to hurt. You never know, it might even cure the knocking..