2001 2.0 hdi 110hp estate rear droplink help please

[annie10]

need to replace the rear droplinks on my 406 2001 estate.

is there a replacement guide anywhere please.
if not can someone tell me how to remove the bottom bolt. had a look today with a torch before i start the job and the caliper is in the way.

i presume the caliper has to be removed to gain access to the lower bolt. how does this undo please. do i need an Allen key to hold the stud whilst i use a ratchet spanner to move the nut.
regards Annie

[briangoo]

Hi Annie get used to changing both these and the tie bars that alter the camber of your rear wheels as they go all the time resulting in a banging from behind lol. If its the drop links as in up & down either angle grinder them off or break off the rear & grab them with a set of pipe wrenches or mole grips. But if they are horizontal side ways be carefull with the eccentric bolt that holds them to the chassis as there like hens teeth to replace. Try YouTube there's usually plenty on there

[annie10]

thanks. yes its the up and down ones.
there is a crashing from the back so i thought id start there as they are the cheapest items to replace first. if not fixed may try shocks first as its done 140k and im sure all suspension parts are original from new

i like to do my own servicing and repairs where possible as have had really bad experience of a garage fixing a jaguar a few years ago and the new part snapped and the front suspension collapsed and me and hubby spent a week in hospital because of the crash.
did my mercedes 124 last week with new arb bushes and new discs and pads all round and saved about 200 at least.

[briangoo]

before you look at shocks try taking the wheel off & put a stud back in then using your wheel brace try & rock the wheel left to right as the tie bars go all the time & make the same banging noise. they are penny's to buy & also cause bad tyre wear

[annie10]

brilliant help thanks. will check the tie bars before spending money on the shocks

.just moved house last week and been getting loads of comments about not seeing women fix cars but its the only way i can control the quality of the job.
the car is clean and a nice drive. cambelt/water pump may be due soon as last changed 70k ago. might even do that myself aswell

[briangoo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqQqrdA-yWk
some guy changing said links on you tube . no bother at all

[annie10]

that's great thanks so much

[briangoo]

Ps i'd defo get that timing belt done. A think it is 70k changing times but personally i'd do it sooner good on u doing it yourself

[annie10]

Ps i'd defo get that timing belt done. A think it is 70k changing times but personally i'd do it sooner good on u doing it yourself

ive found a video run through on you tube with someone doing the timing belt but just need to find out how to do the tension of the belt properly as he missed that bit out of the video

[jasper5]

The info about tensioning the belt is in this very good how-to listed in the knowledge base.
When you read through you will find a quote by me on how the tension is set.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=8229

ps,
Always replace the full kit, not just the belt.

[annie10]

thanks for the link.
the job looks pretty involved but if i follow the steps one by one and leave myself a day or two i think it ll be fine.
thanks again

[annie10]

getting the bottom bolt off is a nightmare. done now though. will take car out later to see if more arms need replacing

thanks Annie

[briangoo]

Tbh the last 1 I did I smashed the arm off leaving the ball then get a wizard mini grinder & put 2 flat sides on to put a spanner on & Bob's ya uncle

[annie10]

i couldn't hit the ball joint hard enough to break it though.
changed discs and pads aswell though

[annie10]

went out today for a longer drive and there is still some knocking from the rear. i presume the most likely cause it the other horizontal links mentioned earlier.

i also noticed a knocking from the front left so whats the most likely culprit for that please. I'll take a look at the front in the week as it needs new discs and pads on the front aswell to be safe .