e46 compact short drop links

[ryanthescot]

Can anyone recommend where I can get a decent set of drop links for my e46 compact? It's got coilovers fitted so it needs to be the shorter ones. I had fitted a cheap set which were bought from euro car parts but i managed to snap it on track so looking for stronger ones. Cheers

[aka_kerrly]

The Compact uses the same set up as saloons, coupes and tourings.

My understanding is E46 owners use Hyundai coupe REAR drop links on the FRONT of their E46s but you need to measure up the coilovers.... as i believe the problem stems from ebay coilovers having the mount in the wrong place compared to OE struts.

[ryanthescot]

thanks for that. can you tell if the mount on mine is in the wrong place? i guess it is since i think they are cheap ebay coilovers.



i think i might have buggered the mount too - it's a bit bent

[clabcon]

ryanthescot said:

Can anyone recommend where I can get a decent set of drop links for my e46 compact? It's got coilovers fitted so it needs to be the shorter ones. I had fitted a cheap set which were bought from euro car parts but i managed to snap it on track so looking for stronger ones. Cheers

Hi Ryan, I have an E46 coupe on Eibach Coilovers and Anti Roll Bars. The drop link mounting point on these is lower than on a factory damper due to the thread on the coilover body. OEM drop links are 270 mm long. Recently, a knocking had developed from one of the drop links provided by Eibach. I measured these to be 205 mm long end to end, whilst 180 mm bolt to bolt. Unfortunately they're only guaranteed for one year, cost £80 and take two weeks to ship from Germany! I looked through the Meyle online parts catalogue and found a pair that were 190 mm long, with opposite facing M10 threads at either end. These have part number 35-160600005/HD. These are heavy duty items with a four year guarantee. They were originally specified for Mazda 323 and Premacy vehicles, but will work on your vehicle if the mounting points can be straightened. If you ever get into serious track use, then you can get adjustable drop links. However, these could easily set you back circa £100 for a pair.

[ryanthescot]

Thanks for that clabcon. I'll take a look at those and see if they will fit. They are going on a drift car so will take a bit of a beating - the one that snapped was just put on a week ago.

[broken biscuit]

Those would be T A Technix or similar coilovers? I had the same issue with mine. I used 2005 Hyundai Coupe rear drop links - under a tenner each from Euro Car Parts.
The reason for your issue, which I had a couple of months ago, put simply, is that you have not locked the lower adjuster off tight enough. Using the C spanners is not enough - mine spun on opposite lock and folded the drop links around the strut, just as yours have. I ended up replacing with more Hyundai ones and using a blunt chisel to lock the collars off against one another (not the height ones, the lower ones where the sleeve goes into the hub). Should you buy the adjustable droplinks, you will face the same issue unless you tighten the coilovers further.

[ryanthescot]

thanks for your reply that was helpful. i ended up getting the hyundai rear ones from eurocar parts and had them fitted. Can you please explain more about what you said below:

broken biscuit said:

I ended up replacing with more Hyundai ones and using a blunt chisel to lock the collars off against one another (not the height ones, the lower ones where the sleeve goes into the hub). Should you buy the adjustable droplinks, you will face the same issue unless you tighten the coilovers further.

I get what you are saying about it not being tight enough, but can you tell me what exactly you replaced in order to tighten it up?

Cheers