MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Freem82 on September 08, 2022, 03:46:15 pm

Title: Rear drop links
Post by: Freem82 on September 08, 2022, 03:46:15 pm
I've just fitted a whiteline rear anti roll bar, set it on the middle hole. But I had to jack up the suspension slightly to fit the drop link back in on one side, I know that arbs shouldn't be pre loaded, so I'm wondering if I need shortened drop links ?
The car seems to drive great, I much prefer the feel of it now over stock. Forgot to mention that's its also lowered on eibach sportline (red) springs.
Title: Re: Rear drop links
Post by: Sebas_theFish on September 09, 2022, 01:00:06 am
Technically yes you should get shortened ones. But many people don't bother unless it causes interference from the lowering too.

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Title: Re: Rear drop links
Post by: pudding on September 09, 2022, 08:48:07 am
Both wheels should be off the ground when adjusting arbs/replacing drop links.

You only need shorter/longer drop links if you can't get the stock ones into the ARB when it's unloaded.
Title: Re: Rear drop links
Post by: Freem82 on September 09, 2022, 11:05:27 am
I thought it didn't matter about the wheels being on or off the ground ? Everything was tightened up with the wheels on the ground anyway.
Title: Re: Rear drop links
Post by: pudding on September 09, 2022, 11:13:06 am
All that matters is there's no load on the ARB, which jacking it up on one side would create.  How the hell do you get at the drop links with the car on the ground?!?
Title: Re: Rear drop links
Post by: Freem82 on September 09, 2022, 11:25:01 am
It was on my ramps, whilst on tge ramps I jacked up the passenger side control arm by about 20mm so I could get the drop link through the arb. Everything was still loose at this point, then I lowered it back down and made sure the bar was central etc then tightened Everything up.
Just looked at another guide and it states that the weight of the car should be on the wheels whilst fitting and torqueing up etc. So not sure which is correct now.
Title: Re: Rear drop links
Post by: pudding on September 09, 2022, 06:40:29 pm
Ah OK, I keep forgetting about ramps. I normally just jack the hubs up to ride height level.

It's just certain suspension bushes that need torquing at ride height. Ball joints and ARBs are OK to torque up at full droop.

TBH, I also struggled to get my rear drop links back in after adjusting them on my Eibach arb but not so much as needing longer or shorter links.  It's purely because the adjustment holes move the drop link out of it's natural rest position, so the bar needs fenangling into place to get them in.