Rear droplinks and ARB bushes

[PhilzMR2]

My Easter project is to change the rear droplinks and rear ARB bushes.
I'm just wondering if there is a preferred order to do this job in? Bushes first or droplinks first?
I'm also wondering if there is any danger of the bolts that hold the ARB bush clamps shearing off?
Any thoughts or advice?

[jvanzyl]

Hi Phil,
I'd suggest removing the drop links first - be prepared to angle grind them off!
Can't advise on the rear arb bushes though.. sorry!

John

[JoeCool]

Yes, there's significant risk of the ARB bracket bolts shearing off. Be prepared with contingency plans. I left mine alone for this reason.

There's no real order to do stuff. Get the rear lifted, attack droplinks with angle grinder, snap ARB bracket bolts, swear and go and have a cup of tea.

FWIW I just cut across the nut of the droplinks with a hacksaw, then popped the nuts off with aflatoxin bladed screwdriver. If you cut the 'open' side, where the balljoint is, the post is flanged meaning you may be left with a short post through the strut leg that you can't remove anyway.

[PhilzMR2]

Right, I've successfully changed the rear ARB bushes. It literally took ten minutes. For anyone reading this thread, I would reassure them that the ARB bush bracket bolts are big, sturdy 14mm things and I couldn't imagine them shearing, (unlike the 6mm bolts that Toyota use to hold the nappies on!)

The drop links are still waiting - I needed to get the car in the air and inspect them so I could see what was involved. I've sprayed the nuts with penetrating oil in the meantime, but I need more tools.

[ElectricRock]

I think you have to accept that the droplinks are a consumable.   Have 2 new ones ready and cut the old ones off

[The Other Stu]

Yup. I'm looking at replacing my springs (and rear shocks).
I have all 4 links ready to replace.