Droplink Removal

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Droplink Removal
#1
So I'm sure we've all been there, with droplinks rounding when you try to remove them. I had that today, and though I'd go at it from the other side (giggidy) by popping off it the ball joint, then getting some grips on it. The bastard thing wouldn't come off the ball joint, so I though sawing it in half to get some more leverage would work, though being metal droplinks this took some time, and then instead of popping off they just bent. I decided fire was the best solution, and melted the surrounding rubber/plastic from the balljoint, so they came off nicely, though now I'm left with the problem that even with a socket and mole grips on the ball joint, I'm unable to remove the bolts.

Anyone got any ideas or tips? I don't have an angle grinder, otherwise that would have been my first solution. I'm guessing I'm just going to have to suck it up and get it taken to a garage and get them to buzz it off?
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#2
don't all drop links have two flat edges on the rear side so you can grab it with a spanner? i know 99% of car's we have had in the garage do
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#3
Buzz gun / grinder....should be able to grip it with vice grips though, mtfu and tighten the shit out of them, let them hit the car and clean the showing threads and un do, shouldnt be THAT tight....or weld someting to the ball if u know someone with welder..
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#4
What Darren said... If you don't have a grinder, go grab one. Saves the hassle and then you've got it for any future jobs, and you're kinda failing as a 306 owner without one Wink
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#5
i dont even bother trying to undo these now they are cheap so a disposable item
I reach straight for the disc cutter
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#6
(10-03-2013, 06:26 PM)Puggie Wrote: don't all drop links have two flat edges on the rear side so you can grab it with a spanner? i know 99% of car's we have had in the garage do
They don't have flat edges unfortunately, these are a spanner and allen key job, which means they inevitably round because they're made of cheese.

(10-03-2013, 06:27 PM)darrenjlobb Wrote: Buzz gun / grinder....should be able to grip it with vice grips though, mtfu and tighten the shit out of them, let them hit the car and clean the showing threads and un do, shouldnt be THAT tight....or weld someting to the ball if u know someone with welder..

(10-03-2013, 06:30 PM)Curt Wrote: What Darren said... If you don't have a grinder, go grab one. Saves the hassle and then you've got it for any future jobs, and you're kinda failing as a 306 owner without one Wink
I did consider just buying one for future use, but I'm clearing out the garage as we're having it converted, so I'm not going to have the room any more for power tools. Not to mention my driveway is on a slope so I wouldn't be able to jack up the car there to get at it and use power from the house. I would have just removed the strut and fitted the GTi suspension for lows and to make things easier, but the one on the ARB is the same. Sad
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#7
Put a vertical slit in the end of the nut to cut it in half - i did that once with a hacksaw when i wasn't at my house to use the grinder.

Grips should work on the back though, they shouldn't be that tight. Use stilsons if you have them.
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#8
Just MTFU
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#9
I'm surprised it took 8 posts for someone to say that lol
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#10
Haha I'm slacking today
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#11
I said it in the 3rd post!!
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#12
Reading fail, thanks Wink
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#13
i had to google MTFU Huh
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#14
All the ones I've seen have 2 flats hidden on the ball side too. A file will put s goof flats on it if it dosen't have them but like Cully says these are a disposable item these days. Fire, violence and a big cutting disc are definitely the way forwards.
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#15
I don't suppose you have one and are free tomorrow night Chris?

There definitely aren't and flats on either ball joint.
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#16
Jack under the ARB where it meets the link. Should put enough pressure on it to allow you to unbolt it.
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#17
It's not connected to anything man, there's no tension on it at all! Sad
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#18
(10-03-2013, 10:43 PM)Scott Wrote: It's not connected to anything man, there's no tension on it at all! Sad

Jam a bar over the other end to put some tension on it?
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#19
Scott, i'd offer advice, but Matt and co all know what happened last time i 'helped' to remove a droplink.
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#20
Mole grips and fury worked on mine
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#21
Scott, where about in London are you?
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