Front drop link alternatives

[pbaker43]

I have read some people have fitted Honda Civic drop links to the front of their TVR’s.
Do you have enough space between the lower fixing centre and the external diameter of the ball cup on the lower link?
What is the reference or description for the Honda Civic links?
I currently have SH drop links but they rattle like hell.
Any information would be helpful?

[Andav469]

pbaker43 said:

I have read some people have fitted Honda Civic drop links to the front of their TVR’s.
Do you have enough space between the lower fixing centre and the external diameter of the ball cup on the lower link?
What is the reference or description for the Honda Civic links?
I currently have SH drop links but they rattle like hell.
Any information would be helpful?

Depends if your trying to find a solution on the cheap or genuinely want a quality solution!

I fitted the Leven drop links front and back, no issues whatsoever and being stainless steel never corrode

[pbaker43]

Dear sir, thanks for your comments, I have Leven drop links on the rear and pleased with these, I thought to use Leven on the fronts, I was just exploring see it there were other quality solutions available. I am not after cheap as you always end up with issues but I do not want to have tunnel vision if there is an alternative.

[phazed]

Ive had Leven and as good as they are have experienced wear.

Civic quality is very good btw.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Civic-2001-06-fron...

If you fit these then I found on one car that it was easier to fit with the ARB loosened.

[griffdude]

phazed said:

Ive had Leven and as good as they are have experienced wear.

Civic quality is very good btw.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Civic-2001-06-fron...

If you fit these then I found on one car that it was easier to fit with the ARB loosened.

Were the Leven ones the 'booted' ones? Very interested to hear.

I too had the SH ones but they soon wore out & went back to std, which definitely dulled the front end but were reliable.

The Civic sourced links look a good alternative to the std ones costing £25.99+vat each!!

[Alun450]

I couldn't get the civic ones to fit. Loosened Arb, struggled and scratched everything but could not get a satisfactory fit!
Mines a late car, Phazed you must use some jimmy bars to get those to line up??
My original ones are rusted up but still intact and fit easily, there's either a strong arm technique or they don't fit some cars.

[phazed]

Mine are the booted ones.

As to the fitting of the Civic ones, my 95 car fitted fine, my 99 car was a struggle and I unbolted ARB to fit.

Simon, (Sardonicus) tried to fit a set to a griff but couldn't so it's a suck it etc!

[Alun450]

The problem is when something doesn't work I assume it's my incompetence! If I loosened Arb it just takes bar further away. There's a nack to it, I'll look at yours sometime Phazed and see what's going on. I'm happy to use standard as I want a more compliant ride.

[phazed]

I'll take a picky later when I do a bit of "another set of dampers noise investigation"!

[QBee]

phazed said:

I'll take a picky later when I do a bit of "another set of dampers noise investigation"!

How is Which doing on its Surrey group damper test - any progress to report?

[Alun450]

Damn dampers, mine rattle like buggery, I've replaced the O rings to thicker ones as water hits the circlip and rusts the bush solid! I've loosened them off but now they just seem sloppy, I'm assuming once the weight is on them they will be ok but I'm not convinced. New suspension bushes and joints etc so if I still have rattle there going back to manufacturer. It's a pita.
Cheers re pic. Ta

[phazed]

QBee said:

phazed said:

I'll take a picky later when I do a bit of "another set of dampers noise investigation"!

How is Which doing on its Surrey group damper test - any progress to report?

New set of the big Ns went on last night.

Test revealed huge clonking from previous set gone but smaller clonk from N/S rear still apparent.

Will change that to a Mono for comparison later.

If the Mono is silent by comparison then I'll be looking for toys to chuck!

[phazed]

Alun450 said:

Damn dampers, mine rattle like buggery, I've replaced the O rings to thicker ones as water hits the circlip and rusts the bush solid! I've loosened them off but now they just seem sloppy, I'm assuming once the weight is on them they will be ok but I'm not convinced. New suspension bushes and joints etc so if I still have rattle there going back to manufacturer. It's a pita.
Cheers re pic. Ta

What make?

[Alun450]

GGP's

[phazed]

Alun450 said:

GGP's

Ah. Maybe return them, they're pretty good at returns.

Curing noise is another matter!

[QBee]

phazed said:

Alun450 said:

GGP's

Ah. Maybe return them, they're pretty good at returns.

Curing noise is another matter!

I will second that. Mine were weeping (probably seen my driving ). Rang Gaz, spoke to a nice lady on a Monday who said "take them off, stick them on a courier, we'll have a look". Courier sent Monday, Gaz got them late Tuesday, completely stripped and refurbished them Weds/Thurs and we had them back Friday and on the car. No charge, not even the return courier - and mine were five years old.....

[carsy]

Well, pleased to say my Pro tech`s are still nice and quiet.

Cant believe all these stories about noisy shocks, whats going on. These things aint exactly cheap, for the price they should be spot on.

[pbaker43]

Hi, thanks to everyone for the information and the exchange… I think I will bite the bullet and go for the Leven ones as the alternatives seem to be a pain..

[QBee]

Alun450 said:

Damn dampers, mine rattle like buggery, I've replaced the O rings to thicker ones as water hits the circlip and rusts the bush solid! I've loosened them off but now they just seem sloppy, I'm assuming once the weight is on them they will be ok but I'm not convinced. New suspension bushes and joints etc so if I still have rattle there going back to manufacturer. It's a pita.
Cheers re pic. Ta

Told my Mrs your problem. She winced and said "Ouch - you don't want a solid bush, very uncomfortable, specially in an area that's damper than normal".

I don't think the engineering profession needs to feel their jobs are under threat, somehow.....

[caduceus]

phazed said:

Ive had Leven and as good as they are have experienced wear.

Civic quality is very good btw.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Civic-2001-06-fron...

If you fit these then I found on one car that it was easier to fit with the ARB loosened.

Will these fit a 97 4.5 ok?
I need to replace mine as I had to cut them all off.