Hi all,

I've got pair of rear drop links to replace my clunky, worn out old ones, but one of the nuts on each side is stuck solid and consequently, I've wrecked the Allen key hole while trying to free them up, so the stud just spins round when I try to loosen them.

Anyone got any tips as to how I might free them up? I was thinking maybe I could try to prise the main section off of the stud so I could get a pair of mole grips on the back to hold it still.......

Any advice very welcome, but please keep in mind that I'm a very amateur mechanic with a very limited tool kit.

Cheers,
FB

 

As you've mentioned, pull/prise the back of the ARB link off so you are left with the ball stud, grind some flat sides on her and get some good molegrips on her.

 

I just angle grinded the full thing off. Stuff like this pissed me off, I have no patience.

If you haven't got a grinder try a nut splitter, hammer and a sharp chisel or a good old hack saw

 

I understand it's a biaaatch with a hacksaw.

Dremel & a good supply of batteries?

 

Yeah, there's a little recess that the nut sits in and collar on the other side that makes it difficult to cut free whatever you use to cut it. I used an angle grinder as I had the whole lower wishbone off but I'd consider one of the other recommendations like a nut splitter if you want to make a neat job of it.

 

I changed a front one on mine a little while back, popped the link off to leave the two balls. I got a bolt extractor socket (incredibly handy tools to have) to fit over the ball, wound it on tight and hey presto, just unwound the nut

 

I just pull the droplink apart and used vice grips to stop the whole thing from spinning

 

That's how I've done it before, though without referring to cold inanimate bits of metal as a woman.

Also if it's only the ARB end where it's stuck, buy new ARBs.

My other tip is to make sure you wire brush, WD40 and grease the exposed bit of stud before you start. That makes it much less likely to seize up.

 

Like the others have said smash the rest of the balljoint off so your just left with the ball and no socket. You can then get mole grips on tight and undo the nut. This method saved me loads of time when i swapped my anti roll bar. Cutting them off is a pain in the arse unless you have a powered tool. Mole grips for the win!

 

I tried to word that aswell so it wouldn't be manipulated into something innuendoish