As many Mk. 2/2.5 owners will know the anti-roll bar drop links are very poorly designed The plastic cup parts company from the link all too easily. I have just seen some adjustable links on the MX5 Parts website supplied by IL Motorsport. Does anyone have any experience of these? Are they any more robust than the Mazda ones? The advertisement says ‘A must for track use’ I am not much interested in track use, simply something less flimsy than the Mazda ones. All opinions welcome.
The only experience I have with IL Motorsports stuff is with one of their strut braces…very impressed with the quality & results & not overly priced. Reading reviews etc this seems to be the case with all their products…
So the drop links have got to be worth a punt especially as they come in as cheaper than genuine Mazda ones, with the added bonus that you can adjust them to your preference. I have found with MX5 parts if you can wait till stuff comes up on special offer as it all seems to at some point then you can save a bit extra?
’ rose jointed’ Now that is a new one on me. I am intrigued. Unless it is a different name for something I know. Would you be kind enough to enlighten me please?
I have these on my mk2, had to replace the nearside one after 3000 miles! - failed MOT. Bought them over 12 months ago so out of guarantee.
My car is lowered so no choice with using them or something like them, but if I were you, stick with the originals, even if you renew them annually. Far less expensive than these adjustable ones.
Richardn is correct about them being open to the elements… not a good design really - stainless steel in a PTFE seat/bearing…
Thankyou very much Richardn. All is clear now, It is all in the name. Being an oldie I would describe them as self aligning bushes! I learn something every day! Thankyou again.
Now that is most informative SuperMech. I have only had one fail so far, but the price of the genuine Mazda ones! and the design is appalling, in my opinion. I notice that MX5 Parts sell much cheaper aftermarket ones, but are they any good? I am always mindful of the maxim, buy cheap, buy twice!
There appears to be nothing fancy about the adjustable ones?
They are just spherical bearings (“Rose joint” is just the name of a manufacturer like Hoover versus vacum cleaner).
Most race cars will use spherical bearings, rod ends male and female in their suspension components.
They come in a huge range of sizes and load ratings AND most importantly you used to be able to buy rubber dust boots to cover them and
help prevent dust and dirt wearing the joint out.
I would not under any circumstances just fit these aftermarket ones without considering dust/dirt protection and they should surely automatically fail the
new UK MOT which requires checking of dust boots on ball joints? They will not last long on a public highway without protection, trust me I speak from experience!
In the old days the rally Escorts used to use spherical bearings on the TCA’s and rear suspension links and these would wear and rattle with only a little amount of
road use, the joints are realy for competition use only.
You could probably make some quite easily from off the shelf rod ends and tubing, but remember to protect them from dirt!!
as said, I dont think they will be good for MOT now without covers, but the army logic is to coat in a very solid grease… keeps out the dirt and easy to wipe off for inspection and then can be regreased again… very good bit of advice for many parts as it goes.
Thankyou ulsterO for your reply, most informative. I will stay with the OE droplinks. Thankyou Skuzzle, you have revived old memories. I remember now, the front axle UJ’s on Land Rovers and Bedford QL’s etc. in the army did not have any gaiters/dust covers at all. Just, as you say plenty of grease. Some Land Rovers did have gaiters, for wading! made of leather would you believe!
that sounds about right… but they knew a thing or two about preventative measures back then… how do you make a wiring harness waterproof… fill it full of grease… a ball joint… yup the same. you get the idea… basically anywhere you put your hands to do repairs you’d get covered in much… but youd never find anything corroded or worn underneath.
The Blue Print ones are of a different design (without the plastic “rivets” and looking more like track rod end construction). I fitted a pair to the Mazda 6 front last year after the old ones were knocking and it’s just passed the second MOT with them on fine.
I seem to remember you’ve used their stuff before so perhaps your factor can get you some to check.
I can’t tell for sure but they look to be the same as the aftermarket ones MX5parts supply so they also may be able to help,
Looked into this. Blueprint anti rollbar droplinks for the Mk. 2.5 Front £18, Rear £15 from my local motor factor. Worth a try I think. Probably similar prices in other parts of the country.
