Squeaky Chim

[Tyre Tread]

At last I managed to use the Chim after all the rain we've had and I noticed a squeak had developed on the rear suspension.

Having fitted a pair of Steve Heath Drop links last year I suspected it was a joint that was dry.

This morning I popped the car up on ramps and discovered that the mounting plate for the drop link has half sheared through to one side of the bolt and hence the squeaks.

The car is 2000 with only 42K miles and chassis in overall good condition. The suspension arms appear to be in good condition.

Has anyone else experienced this problem after changing drop links? I was very careful when I fitted them to make sure they were in alignment but it's not impossible I got it wrong.

It it worth just having a plate welded on both sides to beef up the anti roll bar mounting point?

Someone (Think it was Pupp) said they had ditched one or both of the anti roll cars. Is this an option in the short or long term so I can still use the car while the sun shines?

I appreciate any suggestions and information.

[ChimpanLucky]

What you describe is extremely common, TVR themselves improved the brackets on later cars and in doing so acknowledged the problem.

The solution is to weld in new stronger brackets that are readily available from most TVR specialists.

As for the Steve Heath drop links causing it, I would say definitely not.

The thing is if you ditch the original old rubber ball type drop links that don't actually work very well.

Then replace them with something like the Leven or SH ones that do work, your old feeble brackets wont last very long at all.

It happened to me when I fitted the Leven ones.

Loads of posts on here covering the problem, here's just one.

http://web4.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Tyre Tread]

Thanks for that.

Obviously a common issue.

Search wasn't working when I tried earlier.

[ChimpanLucky]

Tyre Tread said:

Thanks for that.

Obviously a common issue.

Search wasn't working when I tried earlier.

No problem, I find the PH search function is rather hit and miss.

Much better just to use Google.

Example Google search in this case would be:

"Chimaera drop link bracket"

Another good tip with Google is to click on "images".

This way if there are relevant images relating to your search you can quickly find the PH post or website visually.

Example:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Chimaera+drop+lin...

Then click on images & you'll see what I mean.

Works for me

Edited by ChimpanLucky on Saturday 12th May 11:43

[Tyre Tread]

Thanks for that.

I did actually try a search through Google but nothing relevant came up.

However, using your search criteria I have found the thread I was thinking about. It' from July 2007 I thought it was a year or two ago.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[peaktorque]

Mine has the SH drop links and both mounting plates had snapped in half. Just get the welder out and buzz in a nice thick plate. Mine have lasted fine since I repaired them, that includes track day use.

The bd still squeaks though (although that is due to the Leda shocks)