FK Droplinks broken!

[Ibiza 130 tdi]

Hey guys!

More of a warning then anything - my FK droplinks have broken. I've had a terrible knocking noise for around 6 months now and couldnt work out what was causing it....

I've changed wishbone bushes, engine mounts and bought some top mount bushes to fit. As the garage went to fit them today, removed the drop link and that is what was causing it. The drivers side drop link, the ball joints had broken.

So - instead of buying more aftermarket droplinks, which are obviously inferior in quality, it was time to find something more OEM.

Standard Ibiza droplinks are approx 270mm long, the FK shorter droplinks are about 240mm long. Of course, this caused a problem!

After searching, found out that Ford Puma (=very gay car) but has droplinks of approx 238mm, and they are angled the same way as the Ibiza ones! Result! Bought one for about £12, fitted it, what a treat, no more knocking and hopefully, a much better quality droplink! So, fits the same and is much shorter! Hopefully this info will prove helpful to all those who experience broken FK droplinks. I know sooty22 had exactly the same problems.

Maybe make this thread sticky? Or easy to find?

Hope this helps guys!

 

[st10587]

good research and info ash!

 

[Aimez]

sooo glad I didn't buy FK why are they so expensive and people keep having bits break!

 

[Scott-o]

Do you have fk coilies ash? I know chris said he fooked all his when he had his ibiza and a few mates with them on other cars have popped their shocks too :|

glad you have sorted it now though matey

also another mate on another forum has a polo gti and he has had mondeo adjustable droplinks fitted to his which were also quite cheap

 

[Altech]

Hmm I'll have to check mine over....no knocking yet but just to make sure. Did you replace the other side too?

Do your front shocks have dust cover fitted? I thought that maybe one of the reasons that some FK shocks fail is due to them not having dust covers fitted. Dirt may get down into the strut and damage it some how

 

[Ibiza 130 tdi]

Do you have fk coilies ash? I know chris said he fooked all his when he had his ibiza and a few mates with them on other cars have popped their shocks too :|

glad you have sorted it now though matey

also another mate on another forum has a polo gti and he has had mondeo adjustable droplinks fitted to his which were also quite cheap

I do! I have the FK Sport Edition Plus! Quite a cheap setup and fully damping adjustable, which sounds ideal but anything softer than hard, and the car just bounces! So it's practically useless....

Hmm I'll have to check mine over....no knocking yet but just to make sure. Did you replace the other side too?

Do your front shocks have dust cover fitted? I thought that maybe one of the reasons that some FK shocks fail is due to them not having dust covers fitted. Dirt may get down into the strut and damage it some how

I dont think mine do either....

No I haven't replaced the other side - i figured it hasn't broken yet so no need to worry. As long as I remember in time that Puma ones fit and problem will be solved!

 

[philsip]

my orginal FK's did this aswell, they really poor quailty, either the ford puma, or the oem versions with 1 and a half inches cut off and sleeve weled together, the sleeve welded version is the ones ive got in mine atm.

 

[josh263uk]

This may have been asked, but at what point (when lowering) should you go for shorter drop links?

I have had a slight knocking noise, but only used springs to lower the car, so I may try new drop links, but should they be replaced for standard or short ones?

Thanks

Josh

 

[Ibiza 130 tdi]

This may have been asked, but at what point (when lowering) should you go for shorter drop links?

I have had a slight knocking noise, but only used springs to lower the car, so I may try new drop links, but should they be replaced for standard or short ones?

Thanks

Josh

My standard droplinks are 270mm. The shorter droplinks are 238-240mm. Therefore I'd say you need shorter droplinks if you're near the 30mm lowering mark?

Just a total guess!

 

[air121005]

Hey guys!

More of a warning then anything - my FK droplinks have broken. I've had a terrible knocking noise for around 6 months now and couldnt work out what was causing it....

I've changed wishbone bushes, engine mounts and bought some top mount bushes to fit. As the garage went to fit them today, removed the drop link and that is what was causing it. The drivers side drop link, the ball joints had broken.

So - instead of buying more aftermarket droplinks, which are obviously inferior in quality, it was time to find something more OEM.

Standard Ibiza droplinks are approx 270mm long, the FK shorter droplinks are about 240mm long. Of course, this caused a problem!

After searching, found out that Ford Puma (=very gay car) but has droplinks of approx 238mm, and they are angled the same way as the Ibiza ones! Result! Bought one for about £12, fitted it, what a treat, no more knocking and hopefully, a much better quality droplink! So, fits the same and is much shorter! Hopefully this info will prove helpful to all those who experience broken FK droplinks. I know sooty22 had exactly the same problems.

Maybe make this thread sticky? Or easy to find?

Hope this helps guys!

Hiya Ash!
I remember reading this at the time, but now find myself needing a new set if drop links as my cars just failed it's MOT!

Do you know which model of Ford Puma these OEM ones you have used are from or are they all the same across the range?

 

[joop200789]

there all the same pal

 

[Ibiza 130 tdi]

Hiya Ash!
I remember reading this at the time, but now find myself needing a new set if drop links as my cars just failed it's MOT!

Do you know which model of Ford Puma these OEM ones you have used are from or are they all the same across the range?

there all the same pal

As joop said.

Just crap all across the range! I think they only did a 1.6 Puma? Apart from the rally styleeee one.

 

[R1ch85]

As joop said.

Just crap all across the range! I think they only did a 1.6 Puma? Apart from the rally styleeee one.

They did a 1.4, 1.6, and 1.7vct.. 1.7 came with 125bhp, or 150bhp in the racing puma

 

[jonesy000]

Are the FK droplinks the same as the ones awesome sell for £25 a pair?

 

[joop200789]

id say awesome just sell puma links and add a little on top

 

[Ibiza 130 tdi]

They did a 1.4, 1.6, and 1.7vct.. 1.7 came with 125bhp, or 150bhp in the racing puma

150 in the "Racing Puma"? Wow.....150bhp is racing kinda power.....

 

[air121005]

thanks for the replies fella's, much appreciated!

150bhp......sounds scary!

 

[Ibiza 130 tdi]

thanks for the replies fella's, much appreciated!

150bhp......sounds scary!

I'd love to have 150bhp one day....

 

[air121005]

I'd love to have 150bhp one day....

Insurance is going to be steep......you'd better get saving!

 

[R1ch85]

Oh no, what did I start there!

My misses has a 1.7 puma and it handles way better out the box than any Mk4 Ibiza ever did. Has great chuckability if thats even a word

The racing puma is a widebody version basically, has 4 pot brakes as standard which your R doesn't Ash