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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 62
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Bent rear sway bar drop link? (pics)
Hi all,
Well, I was enjoying the 911 during our recent nice weather and I recently started hearing a clunk from my rear suspension when hitting bumps. When I looked around under the car I found the driver's side rear sway bar drop link was no longer connected to the trailing arm - the bolt had apparently worked loose and fallen out (has this happened to anyone else?).  I purchased a replacement bolt from Pelican, and today when I went out to install I noticed that the drop link does not line-up with the mounting hole in the trailing arm - by about 1 inch. Further inspection suggests the drop link was bent from impacting the trailing arm (which caused the clunking noise). Can anyone else tell from the picture below if the link looks bent in the center? If it's bent, I was thinking I should replace it, but would it also be safe to try and bend it back into shape? If it's not bent, I need to figure out how to make the drop link and trailing arm holes line up so I can reinstall the bolt. Any suggestions?  FYI, I'll probably be replacing the other drop link since the bottom section got crushed at some point and is deformed/compressed around the rubber bushing. Lastly I've been wondering how I can tell if the bushings are replaceable in the existing (or possibly my replacement) drop links? thanks everyone!
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1980 911SC - tobacco metallic 1996 Honda Magna 750C 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee (sold) 2002 BMW 330i (daily driver) 2005 Mazda Tribute (wife's) |
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04-17-2008, 11:53 AM
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abides.
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As far as I know, the bushings aren't replaceable. I'd replace the drop links and let those old ones rest in peace.
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Graham 1984 Carrera Targa |
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04-17-2008, 01:01 PM
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Less brakes, more gas!
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Get new drop links... There are lots of good used ones floating around too.
-Michael
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 Michael '82 Euro SC 'Track Rat' 22/29 Hollows, 22/22 Tarrets, Full ERPB F/R, Rennline Tri Brace, Glass bumpers, Pro 2000's, 5 pts, blah blah blah '13 Cayenne GTS |
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04-17-2008, 01:20 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: So. Calif.
Posts: 19,910
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Did you raise both rear wheels to install the drop link?
If a drop link is bent, a quick trip to a muffler shop and a BFH should soon bring that back to service shape. Sherwood |
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04-17-2008, 02:44 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MS.
Posts: 2,322
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That link does look bent bent.
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84' Steelslantnose Cab. 1953 Dodge B-4-B-108" 90,127 miles 1953 Dodge B-4-C-116" 58,146 miles 1954 Dodge C-1-B8-108" 241V8 POLY 1973 Roadrunner 440-SIX-PACK* 1986 F-250 Super Cab-460 V8 tow Newest additions- Matching numbers 1973 340 Road Runner!! 1948 Dodge B-1-F-152" 1-1/2 ton Dump body, 39,690 miles others... |
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04-17-2008, 07:33 PM
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I just swapped my stock sway bar and drop links for adjustables. R U interested in the drop links & bolts?
jt -84 targa |
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04-17-2008, 08:02 PM
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Location: Maine
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Thanks for the helpful comments everyone. I've decided to replace them both since the other (not pictured) is beyond repair.
Sherwood: I did have both wheels up (on ramps) so there is no torsion on the sway bar. Brian
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1980 911SC - tobacco metallic 1996 Honda Magna 750C 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee (sold) 2002 BMW 330i (daily driver) 2005 Mazda Tribute (wife's) |
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04-18-2008, 06:03 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 62
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Quote:
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1980 911SC - tobacco metallic 1996 Honda Magna 750C 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee (sold) 2002 BMW 330i (daily driver) 2005 Mazda Tribute (wife's) |
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04-18-2008, 06:04 AM
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1984 Porsche Carrera Targa
Ugly Betty
