Recently had the rear drop links changed for the MOT. Not felt any issues or noises, but had a quick look at them earlier and one (nearside) looks to be sitting oddly.
Not sure if this is normal or if it’s due to the way the car is sitting, but it’s on block paving so not exactly uneven.
Looks like the lower mount on the left side is bent slightly.
I agree that does not look right (bent bracket). I would get someone to look at it who knows what they are doing.
Will take it back to the garage, surely they should have straightened it before fitting, it wouldn’t have been difficult to do.
Ideally the drop link bar should be vertical and both mount bolts sitting horizontal.
Neither mount bolts look comfortable in the first picture and the drop link looks awkward in the last.
Easy enough to club hammer the mount into shape particularly if it was bent removing the old links.
I would definitely get the garage to sort this out and on the basis of this workmanship question future use.
Happy New Year
Anti roll bar twisted ? Wrong part ie front ones which are not the same length ? Difficult to tell if the car is not level. On your first picture the rust on the wheel arch to sill area where for some reason Mazda did not place underseal is needing some attention.
That’s definitely not right Andy0306 - pic of mine below - the nut (& bolt) should be parallel to the lower suspension arm? Another vote here for a bent bracket on yours.
Thanks for the replies, the garage is close to my work, so will definitely be taking it back. Don’t normally use them, but they were convenient being so close to get the MOT done. Decided to let them change the drop links, but wish I didn’t now lol.
@Raymond Harper. The car is sitting pretty level, so doubt this is a reason. The rust isn’t too bad, but definitely something I intend to get sorted.
Thanks for the Pic Andy1964, good to have something to compare with.
Hi A,
Just had another look and it appears that the replacements have been attached with a new ‘nut’ only. I could be wrong but I think they are normally attached with a ‘nut/washer’ (sorry don’t know the correct terminology). I would be much happier with the correct type of nut or at least a washer under the nut to spread the load.
If you do get the original garage to correct their work please consider having it looked at by an ‘expert’ afterwards. If the brackets have been bent and then straightened again they may be weakened. I would want to clean up the welds and inspect them carefully.
If the bracket does fail it is not that catastrophic but not ideal either.
Looking on MX5 parts, they only supply a new nylock nut with the drop links. Fortunately they have used a new nyloc. In theory, a washer wouldn’t be doing much as the bolt is in shear from the load. I’m tempted to get under there and sort it myself, if only I had a garage 