A job I've never done

[Fin]

Hi, posting for the first time in quite while, so "Hi" to all the members who still remember me...

Unfortunately, we failed the MOT on Saturday.  Got the usual few advisories, easy fixes over the next few days, along with the jammed nearside rear caliper (ordered a new one from MR2 Ben, already here, and I've done quite a few over the years, only £130 with no worries about sending the old one back, so I might try to refurbish it for next time).

The one that has me scratching my head a bit was:

"Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Nearside and offside front" 

I've ordered and received 2 x "Front anti-roll bar drop link Toyota MR2 1999 - 2007" from MR2 Ben as well.
They arrived in the same box as the caliper. MR2 Ben, is as efficient as always 

So, my question is:

Have I ordered the right part, they sound like very similar descriptions, but not identical. Also, I've never done this particular job before, is it simply a case of old one out, new one in, and count the turns? Or is there more to it, or even a walk-through that I haven't found?

Thanks, as always, to those more knowledgeable than me for your help 

[Carolyn]

Hi, posting for the first time in quite while, so "Hi" to all the members who still remember me...

Unfortunately, we failed the MOT on Saturday.  Got the usual few advisories, easy fixes over the next few days, along with the jammed nearside rear caliper (ordered a new one from MR2 Ben, already here, and I've done quite a few over the years, only £130 with no worries about sending the old one back, so I might try to refurbish it for next time).

The one that has me scratching my head a bit was:

"Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Nearside and offside front" 

I've ordered and received 2 x "Front anti-roll bar drop link Toyota MR2 1999 - 2007" from MR2 Ben as well.
They arrived in the same box as the caliper. MR2 Ben, is as efficient as always 

So, my question is:

Have I ordered the right part, they sound like very similar descriptions, but not identical. Also, I've never done this particular job before, is it simply a case of old one out, new one in, and count the turns? Or is there more to it, or even a walk-through that I haven't found?

Thanks, as always, to those more knowledgeable than me for your help 

The anti roll bar just bolts on.  No turns to count. You count turns on a track rod end.  You've got a picky tester failing anti roll bar rubbers!

[mr2garageswindon]

Yes anti roll bar link ball joint dust cover is a fail if it doesn't prevent the ingress of dirt, the same applies to any suspension ball joint dust cover.
You can buy just the dust covers but by the time you have taken it off you might as well replace the joint for the cost of replacements.

Defect   Category
(a) A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing:

(i) excessively worn
(ii) likely to become detached   

Major
Dangerous
(b) A suspension joint dust cover:

(i) severely deteriorated
(ii) missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.   

Minor
Major

[Fin]

Hi, Thanks for replies. The parts I have are about 5 inches long, threaded at one end with a ball joint at the other end. I assume one end bolts through a plate of some kind, and the other bolts into the swinging arm? I'm sure it will be plain once I get under there at the weekend...

[jonbill]

it'll be obvious once you've got the wheel off.
undoing the old one can be tricky: some of them have an allen key recess in the end of the stud to hold it while you undo the nut, some don't. you might have to resort to a grinder.

[Fin]

Thanks, I'll dig out the grinder and the impact wrench, just in case...

[M.Dub]

I hate MOTs

[Fin]

Well, two sets of molegrips, a hammer or 2, a few sockets and spanners, lots and lots of swearing...
It only took me about 5 hours to undo 4 nuts, and then replace a couple of short pieces of metal 
I was a bit surprised when the nearside link snapped in half as I was undoing it!!
I assume the correct torque settings are somewhere around "HNNNNGGGG" ?
Still, I should be able to run it back down the road tomorrow for a nice fresh MOT   
Oh, had to replace the nearside rear caliper again, but I've done enough of those not to break a sweat on that job. (Only about £130 from MR2 Ben, with no deposit for the old one. So I think I might try a re-furb on the old one).