Plastic suspension components?

[matchmaker]

I was working on my son's Astra Coupe last night when I noticed something didn't seem right in the front suspension. Something was indeed far from right - the droplink was broken - not bent or twisted, but broken

Closer examination revealed that it was made of plastic...

Now, I'm used to Vauxhall making their bolts out of toffee, but plastic suspension components?

How common is this?

[CDP]

The Corvette and LDV Convoy had composite rear leaf springs...

[Kitchski]

Ford are the kings of cost-cutting. Cam sprokets on the Zetec S 06-onwards) Fiestas? Made of plastic. And yes, they do shatter.


Oddly, the replacments in the OE Ford boxes are made of metal

[S0 What]

On atsras very common though TBH i have never had a snapped one, lots and lots of worn B/J on em but never snapped.

[Palms]

Every one of my 306's has had plastic droplinks

[Limpet]

Yup, Peugeot have used plastic droplinks for years.

I just wish manufacturers would stop making water pump impellers out of it, where it is completely unfit for purpose.

[McWigglebum4th]

McLaren will sell you a car with a plastic body

[toast boy]

Corsas have plastic drop links now, replaced a few of them but they always wear the joint before snapping. Not sure if this is clever cost cutting or just cynical profiteering...

[kambites]

McWigglebum4th said:

McLaren will sell you a car with a plastic body

And a plastic chassis.

I don't think the OP was talking about CFRP, though.

[GadgeS3C]

Let's not mention plastic F1 cars with plastic suspension and brakes.

[toast boy]

doogz said:

They're unlikely to 'snap' since they're unlikely to ever be in bending. The worst case load they should see is a compressive shock load, which would ordinarily lead to buckling, but due to the shape of them, compared to a steel one, it's probably even less likely to happen to a plastic one.

Given where they are, and what they do, I reckon you have to be doing something pretty stupid to snap a droplink! On a track, thumping big kerbs, or generally on the road, crashing into something!

That's my thoughts, although they are made out of plastic the shape is pretty rigid, hence my wondering whether it's actually just a sensible cost cutting measure. They still cost as much to buy as a metal drop link to buy from the parts department though!

[Howard-]

Front droplinks on the Mondeo are plastic, too.

[randy]

F1 chassis are made of plastic. Go figure...

[callmedave]

As Doogz mentioned, i would think this was designed to be a 'sacrifial part' this snaps before doing more damage to more expensive components.

cheap and easy to replace!

[alangla]

CDP said:

The Corvette and LDV Convoy had composite rear leaf springs...

Thought Dunlop were making Metalastik rubber leaf springs back in the 70s?

[C.A.R.]

I was told that they hold a benefit over metal ones as they retain their shape to a certain degree - if you twist or bend a metal one it's knackered.