Rear ABR drop links

[Andy 4D]

Hi there, just wanted to pick your brains. I’ve recently replaced the rear ARB bushes and drop links on my 2.0l Z3 but the angle looks a bit off.

It’s the same on both sides and almost looks as if the link needs to slide to the end of the ARB, which probably isn’t a good idea. I took photos before disassembly and to be honest it looked wonky then too.

Just wondered what your thoughts are, is this perfectly normal or is something not right. Thanks.

 

[t-tony]

That's how they are. It helps stop them sliding off the end of the bar. Crap design.

Tony.

 

[Andy 4D]

That's how they are. It helps stop them sliding off the end of the bar. Crap design.

Tony.

Thanks Tony, it all went back together exactly as it came off so I assumed it was ok but as it was designed in Germany I kind of expected it to be …well a bit more Germanic and less British Leyland circa 1975. Everything else on the car seems so well designed and thought out. Thanks again, Andy

 

[Woodsta888]

Is it because when you take the old/used ones off, they looked relatively straight? Or crap design got better with age?

 

[t-tony]

As the rubber wears it loses a bit of the angle it sits at. Replace an old knackered one with a new one with 2 new rubbers and compare the angle.
The crap design is in that it only has a mechanical fixing at the upper end.

Tony.

 

[Pingu]

What does it look like when the suspension is at its running height? That's what matters. You are looking at it in a position the car would need to be airborne to achieve.

 

[Andy 4D]

What does it look like when the suspension is at its running height? That's what matters. You are looking at it in a position the car would need to be airborne to achieve.

In the first picture with the new drop links, the car was on the ground so that is at running height. That’s why I was asking the question.

 

[t-tony]

They do sit flatter with weight on the suspension

Tony.

 

[Andy 4D]

They do sit flatter with weight on the suspension

Tony.

Thanks Tony, the car is sitting on all 4 wheels in the first picture so all the weight is on the suspension. It’ll probably settle down a bit more with use. Just wanted to check with people who may be more knowledgeable than me in this area in case I’ve done something stupid…..again!