Rear ARB drop link popping out

[axelleveau]

Hi all,

A tricky one, probbaly aimed at people who've done a polybush conversion but I welcome all help.
After puting back together most of the rear end and moving the arms up/down a bit to check everything is moving fine, I realised the drop links tend to walk and come out of the ARB stubs. Has anyone had this issue? I'm guessing it is because the new bushings allow the drop links to move freely compared to OEM. It seems this issue existed on Z3s but before I try puting starlock washers or even thread the ARB stub and put a flange lock nut I'd like to get some opinions.

 

[enuff_zed]

Are you sure they will come right out once the car is bolted back together, with weight on?
I've noticed when changing OEM links that they move up and down the bar a little. If they were meant to stay in one place I reckon BMW would have bolted them up, same as the front. They slide up and down to accomodate geometry changes.
I'd put it all back together and see what happenss then.

 

[axelleveau]

Seems like we are thinking alike. Wondering if the way the subframe sits on the floor with pads raising the arms a bit higher than once the car is on its wheel and they might be a bit more rearward as well as the polybush keep them this way so maybe that removes tension and puts the ends of the bar in a position where it aligns well with the bushes. But as the left bush seems to walk a bit and the right one literally comes off after about 5 pumps of the arm I am worried and I'd like to avoid having to drop the ARB once everything is back under the car :|

 

[Mike6]

Might not be relevant but when I changed the bushes on my lotus esprit the polybush ones started to ooze out of there housing. I was told to add a penny washer when tightening up which worked. It seems polybushes have a habit of coming out after use

 

[enuff_zed]

Might not be relevant but when I changed the bushes on my lotus esprit the polybush ones started to ooze out of there housing. I was told to add a penny washer when tightening up which worked. It seems polybushes have a habit of coming out after use

Trouble is these ones are designed to slide a bit so nothing to tighten

 

[axelleveau]

Alright, problem should be fixed now. I drilled into the stub ends of the bar (it's actually not very hard as they are welded on pieces), tapped and installed "limiters" composed of 2*12mm washers sitting on the stub and a screw and smaller washer at the end. I moved everything by hand and it seems to have enough play though I could adjust by removing one or both big washers.