Quick Q: Roll bar linkage

shifty_uk · 5 Aug 2011 at 10:55

If the roll bar linkage is 'insecure', what would be the DIY fix for this? Complete part replacement or merely tightening etc??

Thanks

Would've posted this in the off topic thread but it appears to have been closed!

Clarkey · 5 Aug 2011 at 11:19

insecure how? Talk about vague description.

shifty_uk · 5 Aug 2011 at 11:27

Indeed. This is just what I'm going by from an MOT sheet. :\ I'll jack the car up later but I'm not mechanically minded enough to see any apparent issues or 'insecurities' with parts.

Dogbreath · 5 Aug 2011 at 12:17

shifty_uk said:
Indeed. This is just what I'm going by from an MOT sheet. :\ I'll jack the car up later but I'm not mechanically minded enough to see any apparent issues or 'insecurities' with parts.

In which case it's rather difficult to give you any advice on how to fix it, unless we have any clairvoyant members on here. Is it just one side, or both? If it's just the one side then compare it to the other.

Philz0r · 5 Aug 2011 at 14:42

its really easy to replace. Take off the wheel and youll have acess to it. Undo the 2 bolts. Get a long bar and press down on the suspension and remove old link and put new link in imediatly. Tighten bolts and your done. I got both side links for 11 quid of ebay and the quality was a*

shifty_uk · 5 Aug 2011 at 17:31

Yeah, just going to replace. Got the parts from a local supplier, £20 for track rod end and two roll bar links. Saves me a fair whack on labour rates.

I wasn't really sure if it just required tightening or so on. The vague description on the MOT checklist was throwing me off a bit.

Thanks for the help! I'll give it a go.

Clarkey · 5 Aug 2011 at 17:37

Why not just ask the tester to clarify?

shifty_uk · 5 Aug 2011 at 17:42

Had a few back and forth altercations and complaints towards them so I'm checking out the car myself, changing some parts and going elsewhere for testing. A lot of failed points are actually fine. Cowboys.

Kei · 5 Aug 2011 at 17:42

To be able to check the links properly you'll need to jack the car up so that both wheels are off the ground, else the bar will be twisting.

shifty_uk · 5 Aug 2011 at 17:43

Ah! I only have one trolley jack and the standard jack that comes with the car! Would this suffice?

Is this only for checking because I can change them to be on the safe side? I've bought the parts now, anyway.

Kei · 5 Aug 2011 at 17:47

If its the front suspension, do you not have a central jacking point under the bonnet? Wouldn't be venturing under with it on jacks only though.

shifty_uk · 5 Aug 2011 at 17:50

Nah, it's a clio. No good jacking points at the front, unfortunately!

jon.bda · 5 Aug 2011 at 18:10

If its a Clio the 'insecure' will probably mean that the bolt that runs through the rubbers has snapped.

And no offence, but if your not mechanically minded at all...how are you sure that the other bits they failed are fine and don't need fixing?

Vigoro · 5 Aug 2011 at 18:14

shifty_uk said:
Nah, it's a clio. No good jacking points at the front, unfortunately!

Yes there is

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b14/edde_uk/Williams/DSCN0459a.jpg

In that image, the red bit is where a jack should go, will be near the front, about 30cm into the centre of the car, and make sure it goes on the flat bit!

Liampope · 5 Aug 2011 at 18:31

Vigoro said:
Yes there is

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b14/edde_uk/Williams/DSCN0459a.jpg

In that image, the red bit is where a jack should go, will be near the front, about 30cm into the centre of the car, and make sure it goes on the flat bit!

They're talking about a central point under the bonnet to lift both front wheels off the ground with one jack (which I dont think I've seen on any car ever). That's just the normal front o/s jacking point isn't it?

Block of wood under sump and job's a goodun

Lopéz · 5 Aug 2011 at 18:38

You can do ARB droplinks one side at a time, it's just easier with both wheels in the air.