996 C4S drop link orientation

[PhilD]

After doing my own front suspension overhall (including new drop links identical to the old ones) - Porsche have done a 4 wheel alignment and are telling me the drop links are installed incorrectly and are fouling a brake line, in fact they told me the right and left were switched. Being a C4S I don't believe left and right are different. I assumed that this must mean they are upside down, checking this, it makes no difference which way up they are, the bolts at each end are at right angles to each other. So turning them up the other way up makes no difference.

Looking at various photos it looks like the nut on the bottom of the drop link should be on the inside of the anti-roll bar, but there is a slot in the carrier for the other end of the drop link that looks made for the captive nut on the bolt of drop link. This is not possible with the drop links I have, as the orientation of the drop link bolts is 180 degrees out of alignment.

Can anyone shed light on this mystery it is driving me nuts! I do wonder if the wear to the brake line is nothing to do with the drop link and is more to do with it being incorrectly fitted by Porsche a couple of years ago, but need to be sure before I go back to them. It certainly looks to me like the wear on the lines has been there for a while and is only when the car is on full lock.

Thanks for any help and photos, please put me out of my misery!

[PhilD]

NSF suspension with the drop link shown. Any ideas?

[PhilD]

Hopefully you see my issue now. If anyone has a photo it would be great! You may even be able to see it on full lock without taking off a wheel.

[PhilD]

Thanks Chris but I haven't answered my question. The key facts are:
1. The L and R drop links are the same (1 part number)
2. The drop link is the same either way up.
3. There is a cut out in the carrier which seems to fit the nut on the inside of the drop link bolt which forces the drop link to be fitted with the roll bar end nut on the outside closest to the wheel which results in minimal/ no clearance on the brake line.

If anyone can share a photo of a C4S or turbo drop link installed with both ends visible then I would really appreciate it.

Alternatively I will call Porsche tomorrow and will report back.

Cheers

[PhilD]

Chris, I wish it was that simple. They match the ones taken off the car and these from Design911 C4S droplinks

[PhilD]

996TT02 said:

There should not be, you need to turn the nut to tighten the BJ so in can never be captive. On the other hand the BJ may have a flat on it you can't ordinarily see, that locks into the cutout making the BJ captive, to prevent it turning when you tighten the nut (a very common issue with a used part rather than a tight new part) so it is perfectly logical for this to be further reinforcement that you have it wrong (as per Porsche's diagrams).

Swap them over. One of the simplest jobs on a Porsche, I'm replacing an o2 sensor right now and the only way that's coming off is with the entire exhaust system removed.

I know it is only a really simple job - which is why it is driving me nuts! I also have Porsche's workshop manuals and the diagrams you refer to (which show a C2 incidentally) where the lower drop link nut is on the inside! The drop links I have will only fit with the nut on the outside as you can see from the photo's below.

The original drop links off my car, as you can see are identical, switching left to right or upside down has no effect.


The new drop link taken out so you can see the flats on the lower spring platform that hold the inside captive nut on the drop link and stop it spinning as you tighten the outside nut.



and finally the old drop link and new drop link together so you can see they are the same part.



I am awaiting a call back from Porsche - if I get no help on the phone then I will head over to the dealer later for face to face advice from a tech.

Apologies that the last two photos have spun though 90 degrees. The left of the photo is top.

Edited by PhilD on Monday 23 May 12:35

[PhilD]

I did wonder if the thread could face towards the back of the car, but as can be seen clearly below the ridges on each side of the hole on the lower spring platform stop a bolt being tightened cleanly and look far better designed to hold the captive nut on the drop link, so having the threaded portion facing forwards and the drop link on the 'wrong side' inside of the arb.



Porsche have kindly agreed to put the car up on ramps and talk me through it on Wednesday morning, fingers crossed that can be the end of it.

[PhilD]

Thanks 996TT02, I really appreciate you taking the tiem to grab a photo. It looks like the workshop manuals are misleading.

Interestingly what I thought might look like a clip for the brake line on my car and is not connected to anything, is exactly the same on your car.

I will see what Porsche say about the rubbing brake line but it seems as though the drop link is not linked to it (if you will excuse the pun!)

[PhilD]

Well the car has been up on ramps at Porsche this morning and they have apologised for the missinformation on the original notification of the issue and confirmed the drop link is installed correctly. The rubbing on the brake line seems to be a factor of it being a little further away from the inside of the wheel well than it should be. Porsche have now adjusted (bent) the line very slightly to give it more clearance on the drop link on full lock so it is now safe. I will for sure be checking it periodically to make sure of no more wear.

Thanks for everyones help, especially 996TT02 for taking a photo of his turbo and setting my mind at rest over the drop link orientation.