How To Replace The Arb Drop Link Rod

[tomwazza]

Afternoon Everybody,

My Focus has developed another problem that is starting to get on my nerves a little. When I make a left turn there is quite a loud creaking noise originating from the front passengers corner. After a little research I have determined that the problem lies with the ARB drop link rod. I've already purchased a pair from eBay and they should be with me some time next week. My question is how do I replace the existing ones with the new pair?

Is there anything I should be careful of or is it as simple as unbolting the old ones and bolting the new ones on?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Tom.

[artscot79]

Afternoon Everybody,

My Focus has developed another problem that is starting to get on my nerves a little. When I make a left turn there is quite a loud creaking noise originating from the front passengers corner. After a little research I have determined that the problem lies with the ARB drop link rod. I've already purchased a pair from eBay and they should be with me some time next week. My question is how do I replace the existing ones with the new pair?

Is there anything I should be careful of or is it as simple as unbolting the old ones and bolting the new ones on?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Tom.

spray the old ones with plenty of penetrating fluid and leave them to soak for a bit and try not to force them are you sure its the droplink when i had that it was the spring on its way out its a simple swap to do just put them in the right way round and dont force any stubborn nuts

[tomwazza]

spray the old ones with plenty of penetrating fluid and leave them to soak for a bit and try not to force them are you sure its the droplink when i had that it was the spring on its way out its a simple swap to do just put them in the right way round and dont force any stubborn nuts

Hi,

Thanks for the advice. I'm not 100% sure, I only noticed the problem yesterday and I googled it this morning and found a couple of posts on other forums that seemed to think the ARB Drop Link Rod was at fault.

http://forums.focaljet.com/problems-service-recalls/578669-loud-creaking-front-left-suspension-wheel-area.html

http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Uk/uk.rec.cars.maintenance/2007-08/msg00869.html

(Really sorry if I'm not meant to post links to ther forums, I'm not sure about the rules here.)

Cheers,

Tom.

[artscot79]

Hi,

Thanks for the advice. I'm not 100% sure, I only noticed the problem yesterday and I googled it this morning and found a couple of posts on other forums that seemed to think the ARB Drop Link Rod was at fault.

http://forums.focalj...wheel-area.html

http://newsgroups.de...8/msg00869.html

(Really sorry if I'm not meant to post links to ther forums, I'm not sure about the rules here.)

Cheers,

Tom.

it could well be the link noises on this suspension are a pain to trace you can usually tell by spraying it with a bit of white grease if it goes then its the link you have them so you may as well change them round mate and see what happens let us know how it goes

[tomwazza]

it could well be the link noises on this suspension are a pain to trace you can usually tell by spraying it with a bit of white grease if it goes then its the link you have them so you may as well change them round mate and see what happens let us know how it goes

Yep, will do, hopefully it'll be a nice simple task.

I've got another problem as well actually, when the focus is just idling (for example at the lights) it feels as though it's about the stall. Any ideas?

Cheers (again)

Tom.

[artscot79]

Yep, will do, hopefully it'll be a nice simple task.

I've got another problem as well actually, when the focus is just idling (for example at the lights) it feels as though it's about the stall. Any ideas?

Cheers (again)

Tom.

not uncommon do the dash trick on the main page let the car warm up and see what rpm its sitting at you should be looking at 700-800rpm basically 750 rpm +/-50 rpm you may find that its normal or it could be the idle control valve is needing replaced or that the pipe on the engiine has collapsed not sure which size of engine you have but on mine if you look at the rear of the engine where the throttle body is and look directly below it youll see a pipe like this with tghe engine running check it and see if the bend is being sucked together.or it could be the pcv valve needs replaced

[tomwazza]

Afternoon,

Just replaced the two front ARB's and low and behold there is no more creaking from the front of the car :)

Since posting about the stalling issue I haven't felt it, perhaps it was just the cold temperatures?

Anyway here are some pics of the old ARB's...

(Excuse the project car in the back of shot :))

Cheers for the help,

Tom.

[artscot79]

Afternoon,

Just replaced the two front ARB's and low and behold there is no more creaking from the front of the car

Since posting about the stalling issue I haven't felt it, perhaps it was just the cold temperatures?

Anyway here are some pics of the old ARB's...

(Excuse the project car in the back of shot )

Cheers for the help,

Tom.

its safe to say that its well goosed