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Rear drop links

PostPosted: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 11:53 +0000
by rodoconnor3
Hey,
I have what is probably a stupid question. I'm changing out the drop links on the rear of the mx5 and I'm looking to find out the correct orientation of the drop links? Does the nut for the lower ballpoint sit on the rear side or the front side of the connection to the lower control arm?
This does seem like a stupid question I know, but I've had a lot of back and forth with my local motor factors because they insist the drop link they gave me is for the rear left, but it matches the one I took from the rear right, so I'm not sure. I'm not sure if the motor factors are wrong, the drop links I took off were wrong or if I've just ballsed the whole thing up and I've overcomplicated it.
From looking at the alignment with the lower control arm and the anti sway bar, the original piece looks correct and the motor factors part seems wrong.
What am I missing?
Thanks.

Re: Rear drop links

PostPosted: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 11:58 +0000
by Steve
Its a mk2 yeah?

Re: Rear drop links

PostPosted: Wed, 29 Apr 2015 12:10 +0000
by rodoconnor3
Ya mk2.

Re: Rear drop links

PostPosted: Wed, 29 Apr 2015 6:53 +0000
by MX5Spares
Are both sides not the same.I think they are

Re: Rear drop links

PostPosted: Wed, 29 Apr 2015 7:00 +0000
by rodoconnor3
The ones I took off are the reverse of each other? I'm not saying the ones I took off we're definitely correct. But if you use the same drop links for left and right won't the orientation of the ball joint be different then from left to right ie one will face to the front and the other will face the rear, no? Is that ok maybe?

Re: Rear drop links

PostPosted: Wed, 29 Apr 2015 9:45 +0000
by Steve
have you them upside down? :-) Joking.

Yes, they are sided.

See here :
http://www.micksgarage.com/search.aspx? ... fffBHP=110

Re: Rear drop links

PostPosted: Wed, 29 Apr 2015 2:27 +0000
by rodoconnor3
Actually that is interesting. The sides shown on Micks Garage are the same as the motor factors are telling me but they are the reverse of what I took off the car. I guess once the drop links are correct to themselves then it doesn't matter about which way they face. I just think it's a bit weird... But hey maybe I am putting them on upside down.

Re: Rear drop links

PostPosted: Wed, 29 Apr 2015 4:59 +0000
by MX5Spares
I have 2014 VW Golf here and I was replacing damaged front drop link and yes it was the reverse position of passengers side so must,nt make any difference which way they are facing on mx5 also

Re: Rear drop links

PostPosted: Thu, 30 Apr 2015 1:13 +0000
by Randy
They are sided, and there should only be one way that they fit, as far as I remember (replaced them last year all round the car).

Re: Rear drop links

PostPosted: Thu, 30 Apr 2015 8:52 +0000
by MX5Spares
Correct ,my mistake.I checked the catalogue and they are sided on the rear and front

Re: Rear drop links

PostPosted: Mon, 04 May 2015 8:27 +0000
by [L'e$kro]
Had same issue here, I ordered the left one from eBay and got the same as the right hand one. As the seller was just saying "computer says no" I had to order a right one and replaced both. And I don't think you can swap them around, it would have a weird angle on the joints once the car is on the ground.
I think the problem comes from the fact that they are also mounted on Ford Probes, but on the Probe the MX5 LHS is the Probe's RHS, hence the confusion in parts books...
Nico