So Why Have my Drop Links Started to Rattle?

[Andy JB]

Having enjoyed the upgraded characteristics over OE of the SH rose joint drop links for the past 5 years, i cannot work out why over uneven surfaces ie drive ways, country lanes etc the rattle from the drop links has become to spoil my enjoyment.

They remain tight & were fitted professionally & kept clean. Only change has been from Bridgestones to Toyo in past 6 months.

Should i be lubricating them ? surely not rose joints, do they wear out after 10k dry miles? Should i be replacing them and if so with what?

Any recommendations appreciated?

[PoleDriver]

The Rose joints fitted to my Cerb were rattling really badly. Replaced the cheap crappy corroded ones with some high quality stainless ones and they've been fine!

[Brummmie]

Yes, i had to change mine after very little mileage..

[seeby]

I have a "rattle" on my Chim when driving on uneven ,bumpy roads & dodgy drain covers etc.How would I know if my drop links are the cause ?

[Brummmie]

Grab them, move them and see if there is play.

[seeby]

Brummmie said:

Grab them, move them and see if there is play.

Ooh err Brummie thanks .I,ll give that a try

[scotty_d]

Make sure they are squared up if they have moved even a little and in turn are not articulating correctly they will rattle.

It might have taken a little pot hole or something to move them if they ground out on a driveway ect....

[Yellabelly]

I have a relatively new set that I fitted about 2 years ago, replacing a set that seized and ultimately one of which sheared, and they have seized.

Methinks that this is a time to go back to original droplinks, rose joints are only fit for the track not for road cars and they are bl__dy expensive!
They do not self clean or self lubricate and as they are virtually always working in a single plane they soon get fouled.

YB

[Brummmie]

Yellabelly said:

I have a relatively new set that I fitted about 2 years ago, replacing a set that seized and ultimately one of which sheared, and they have seized.

Methinks that this is a time to go back to original droplinks, rose joints are only fit for the track not for road cars and they are bl__dy expensive!
They do not self clean or self lubricate and as they are virtually always working in a single plane they soon get fouled.

YB

Put proper quality ones on, German not Chinese, and you can get rubber boots too if you so wish.

[Guillotine]

I went back to OEM stuff on my race car.
No probs

[Andy JB]

So - do the Leven drop links fair any better than the SH drop links or are the rose joints the causal effects of the rattling or simply set-up ?

[Mad Mark]

Where is the best place to buy them?
One of my connecting rods has snapped on the Cerbera I am guessing due to the rose seizing up.
I have seen the Steve heath ones and some parts on TVR power and racing green sites but they do seem expensive for what they are. I have also seen the rose joints on ebay for less money from a competition car site but not sure the correct size. But then that still leaves the connecting rod.

[7 TVR]

Have to agree with the likes of Andy and several specialist dealers, Go oem it's best!
So sure i'm happy to give some rose jointed --[no names] ones for my 350 away for free! In fact think i have some griff ones lying around too!
Bushes and drop links stick to OEM except on the Diff where poly bushes are fine!
Speak to the people that pull them of regularly !!! Some mods are more show than Go.

[bouldster]

cerain rose jointed drop links not only rattle in the joints, the bolts arent a good fit either.The leven ones should last longer as they have use rubber bobbins on one end and cover the rose joints with a boot but for the road i'd stick with the oem ones

[Brummmie]

For replacement rose joints, any bearing stockist will help you out.
If i remember correctly the end of each is different, so take them with you.
I got rid of the nasty chinese ones and put (SKF?) rose joints on, three years ago i think and no problems.

[ridds]

Mine are rattling too. The top bolt through the upper rose joint is not a good fit and so you have to clamp the rose joint centre with the bolt to quieten that area.

I then found the lower rose joint actually also has play in the joint itself. I've Probably done 5000 miles tops which I personally do not think is an acceptable life.

Would not fit them again tbh.

[griff50tvr]

I'm on my second set of SH drop links and the rears are rattling again after very little mileage and after being professionally fitted. To be fair, SH replaced the first set without charge. However, as the ride and handling improved beyond recognition after swapping out the OEM ones, I'm not going to go back to them. After seeing the engineering of the Leven ones at the Growl last year, I'm planning to get them at this year's Growl.