DIY ARB Adjustable Drop Links - UPDATE

Firstly, I should come clean that I currently run a 1st Gen. Cayman S, however the drop link system is common across number of models of this and later years so I thought it best to post where it may be of best benefit. I am sure it will miraculously move should it not be in the right place Ok, so I have done a fair bit of work over the summer including some overhauling of the suspension with some new TRW bits and ARB bushes. I got a good deal on some Bilstein drop links and decided to swap them out during the work. I debated for ages if I should dabble with the adjustable drop link option but they all seemed £££'s for what they are. I found these on Ebay at a more reasonable £92 for a pair. They took ages to arrive (it was a UK seller as well) and when they finally did I was a little non-plussed TBH. The bolts etc. were nothing special and the whole thing looked and felt like to British climate would see it off in next to no time. This got me thinking - could this be done in stainless as a DIY.? So........ First of all I sourced some m10 turnbuckles (they are used on boats for tightening rigging) and these were in marine grade stainless. The principle is that having a left and right hand thread, when the boys is rotated it lengthens or shortens the overall length. Found a great deal on Ebay and got 4 for £20. Next up I needed the rose joints for the ends, there are loads about but I plumped for some reasonably priced ones just in case the whole thing proved too harsh for road use. There are precision joints with PTFE etc. but these will be fine for now. Got 8 of them for £24 (4 of them being LH thread). Finally, I sourced some misalignment washers which allow the rose joint to have a greater range of movement. These were £8, again from Ebay. After getting some stainless bolts, washers and nylon nuts for £12 and some rose joint boots to keep the water out for £16 I had all the parts. Here is the combo assembled and ready to fit - I have some 10mm O/D stainless tube to sleeve up the long bolts as the original Porsche bolt at the upper mount is m10 and the rose joints take 8mm bolts. Not had chance to fit them as yet - will be done in the next week or so and I'll report back. In terms of cost this currently stands me at:- £80 for the lot, which is pretty good for a complete set of adjustable drop links?.

Will be interesting to see how these fair once set up and fitted :thumb:

Look sweet and well done for remembering to order four LH threaded rose joints, I did something similar years ago and, er, forgot.. Only issue with these are grease packed boots which you've already got covered.

Nice set up the boots are well worth it for road use , only thing I'm not sure on is using stainless bolts on suspension parts.

This is interesting as I've had similar thoughts but wasn't keen/brave/sure enough to do anything. For many years my son raced karts and the parts we are looking at look pretty much like the components uses in the track rods. Basically a threaded rod and a couple of rose joints. It's a few years since we raced (although I still have a few parts (including rose joint I think) lying around. I don't know the length needed for the drop link but looking at a well known kart parts supplier here's what costs would look like; track rod various lengths 210mm-275mm (alloy) = £4.80 rose joints (track rod ends) £3.60 x 2 = £7.20 (left or right thread) lock nuts (left or right thread) £0.24 x 2 = £0.48 total cost £12.48 per drop link you'd need bolts and rubber boots plus possibly the misalignment washers mentioned by Chris (never knew about these). I am not sure about the strength needed for the frop links or whther the allow would be strong enough - but possibly an interesting alternative source of parts? link here: http://www.spellfame.co.uk/acatalog/Steering_Parts.html worth a look do you think?

A couple of thoughts...... Firstly, having looked and changed the original ARB drop links, they are nothing substantial as a standard part - small diameter rod which is connected to the joint ends. The aftermarket ones all seem much more substantial and my 'parts bin' specials seem the same in this respect. Whilst I do not have the spec. for the stainless bolts I have used, the ARB links are not the most stressed part in the suspension system and I intend to monitor wear and durability etc. From my engineering days I get the gut feeling that 8mm diameter stainless will be more than up to the job but it will be something that I will keep an eye on. Your link has some good prices Graham - I suspect that they will be more than adequate of the job. I was always under the impression that the adjustable suspension stuff was majorly bespoke for our cars but in reality they seem to be 80% stock off the shelf bits and a bit of creativity. Will keep you posted.

Made some in a very similar manner for my E36 track car because I was stunned at the laughable prices some aftermarket specialists were charging. All parts were bought from marine and industrial supply companies on Ebay. Took tonnes of abuse and were in fine fettle when I sold them

I wish I had the engineering know how to do stuff like this. Such a cost saving. Im a good car diy,er but not sure i'd tackle this. Incidentally, are adjustable drop links a good alternative to stiffer ARBs? Assuming you make them longer to stiffen the ARB up???

Finally started fitting these today. Picture of the rear:-

They look nice, pity you will hardly ever see them. Have you played with adjustments yet or researched?

I made some of these for my track car. Found the boots didn't work especially well with the misalignment washers. It's like they need just some plain spacers or something. Having said that, the rose jointed droplinks work with no issues at all and have done for several years. Just make sure your mot centre doesn't try to fail you for the droplinks being able to rotate about their length thinking that the bushes are knackered!

I did this on my mini. Few bits and bobs off ebay (pretty much identical to the OP's bits), knocked em up and flung em on. 5 track days and a daily ragging to work and back and they are standing up perfectly. The price charged for drop links is criminal for what they are, and when you look at adjustable ones its even more ridiculous! Good on you OP! :thumb:

Not yet Chris - car still on blocks at the minute as I have couple of other small jobs to do (plugs being one of them). Will update.

not got round to doing my porsche yet but, I've made drop links up for a few previous cars. I've always used http://www.mcgillmotorsport.com/ fast delivery and good quality.

Has anyone any idea how these have stood the test of time? What is the expected outcome for either shortening them or making longer?