Rear ARB drop links question

[rix313]

I bought some new rear ARB drop links today, managed to get the old ones off (they put up a good fight) and then tried to fit the new ones. Now the hole in the drop links I removed is about 10mm, the new drop links have a 7mm hole and needless to say they don't want to go on.

My question is am I just being limp or do I need to enlarge the hole to get it to fit? I don't want to enlarge it incase it's designed to be too small to make it stiff?

[chh137]

Fairy liquid might do the trick.

[chh137]

Fairy liquid might do the trick.

And some brute force of course

[asmith88]

they are flippin tight, but as above a bit of washing up liquid or soap should help

[leeparkes]

Fairy liquid might do the trick.

And some brute force of course

This/\/\/\

[Kieran_n22]

they're harder to fit than it looks. I greased the arb up and forced 'em on.

[chh137]

Grease or oil not good on rubber etc . promotes deterioration/softening.
You can get rubber lube from local motor factors.

[daimlerman]

Like most large things being introduced into a tight hole ,lubrication is the key!

Wait until the kitchen operator in your household has gone shopping,and then borrow the Fairy Liquid.Do make sure that you wipe off the incriminating paw marks,though.

[redcar]

lube it up with some fairly liquid, slips in a treat.

[KimH]

Try this, one side at a time:

Unbolt the U brackets from the wishbones (make a note of which way round they are before you take them off as they must go back the same way)

Loosely bolt the lower end of the drop link (with the tubular metal insert) into the U brackets with the handbrake cable clamps the right way on the inner sides;

Lube the ARB and the upper (rubber) drop link inner liner with a little neat washing up liquid;

Place the drop link on a clean surface with what will be the outer face uppermost;

Press the handle end of your BMW wheelbrace into the rubber liner so the end is flush with what will be the inner face of the drop link;

Line that up with the exposed end of the ARB (it takes some figuring out how to achieve this with the spring in place but it can be done)

Slide the drop link off the wheelbrace and onto the ARB using a large open ended spanner;

Rotate it and bolt the U bracket back onto the wishbone;

Do the other side before finally tightening the bolts through the Drop link and U clamp with the car on level ground.

[kam-325i]

lube it up with some fairly liquid, slips in a treat.

Detergents are just as bad on rubber as oils and grease.

[DanThe]

Fairy liquid will dry out, oil wont

[Tom_Maverick]

a personal lubricant gel is best! they don't contain silicones or detergents.. 'KY jelly' or 'Fist' works a treat.. use whatever you have hanging about in the bedroom.. I kid you not..

[DanThe]

Mmmmm, fisting,,,,,,,,

[craigieeb]

Tom's from Brighton and keeps KY and Fist lube in his bedroom tho Dan

[Tom_Maverick]

I have to say I'm from Brighton yes, but the lube is strictly for the opposite sex.. And bushes obviously