Missing Drop Link

[edd344]

I've bought an insurance write off 218i. Everything seems in working order other than the drivers side drop link is missing. I am going to get it sorted and the part is only £55 from BMW dealers however I was wondering if this is something I could easily fit on my drive using just a jack or should I take it to a mechanic to fit?

Also, other than the fact it feels like you're floating is there any real serious problems that can be caused by driving without one?

[5harp3y]

drop link is easy on the drive

[pb8g09]

I believe (if an expert wants to correct me) driving with a missing drop link/link rod on one side will mean that if you go over a speed hump on one side of the road (i.e. those half humps you get in the middle of the road) then the anti-roll bar will shift and could twist as there is no drop link/link rod so you're risking quite a bit of damage to your suspension.

Given the number of potholes and the state of the UK roads - surely you'd better not risk it and get it replace ASAP for that price?

[edd344]

pb8g09 said:

I believe (if an expert wants to correct me) driving with a missing drop link/link rod on one side will mean that if you go over a speed hump on one side of the road (i.e. those half humps you get in the middle of the road) then the anti-roll bar will shift and could twist as there is no drop link/link rod so you're risking quite a bit of damage to your suspension.

Given the number of potholes and the state of the UK roads - surely you'd better not risk it and get it replace ASAP for that price?

Yeah I am going to get it sorted this week, only noticed the problem on sunday, was more interested in how easy it was to fit myself

[edd344]

Nanook said:

pb8g09 said:

I believe (if an expert wants to correct me) driving with a missing drop link/link rod on one side will mean that if you go over a speed hump on one side of the road (i.e. those half humps you get in the middle of the road) then the anti-roll bar will shift and could twist as there is no drop link/link rod so you're risking quite a bit of damage to your suspension.

Given the number of potholes and the state of the UK roads - surely you'd better not risk it and get it replace ASAP for that price?

I'm not an expert, but the antiroll bar, with one droplink removed, isn't going to move any further than it previously did, and it's not going to twist as there's no load being resisted by it.

Unless I'm missing something.

Also, £55 for a droplink! Seems a bit steep.

Its cause its official BMW dealership price, can get second hand for about £20 but would rather pay the extra to get a brand new one that U can collect the same day.

[J4CKO]

On a car that has an ARB, disconnecting it can lead to some handling weirdness, I had a Saab 9-3 Aero with a knock at the front so disconnected the ARB to rule it out as being the source of the noise, it made it pitch under cornering in an alarming manner.

[sparkythecat]

Before you fork out £55, try your eurocarparts branch for price and availability.

[edd344]

sparkythecat said:

Before you fork out £55, try your eurocarparts branch for price and availability.

Thanks, £20 from eurocarparts will be collecting this evening.

[lemonslap]

You will probably need both wheels off the ground to install it, so will need a jack and stands.