Rear Drop Link Won't Go In

[VenomX]

Hi guys.
Few weeks back I fitted a drop link to the rear passenger with no issue.
When I tried to fit the rear driver, it would not go in and the bolt would not "catch" when put through the drop link - so I thought maybe the part was damaged or defective so bought a new one. Same story.

The part looks identical to the original genuine one, however it will not go in at all. The original part goes in and out fine.

Any ideas ? Car is a 2002 C240.
All I can think is that the aftermarket parts are no good and I need to go genuine.
thanks

 

[ALFAitalia]

Have you got the wheel on the opposite side of the car off the ground? If not you will be fighting the anti roll bar.

 

[VenomX]

Have you got the wheel on the opposite side of the car off the ground? If not you will be fighting the anti roll bar.

Yep both wheels off the ground, safely supported by axle stands.
It would appear that the aftermarket part is holding the bolt at ever such a slightly wrong angle, meaning the bolt will not catch into the subframe ( as I tried to show in the photo above )

they are F.A.G parts, so decent quality.

 

[ray_hennig]

It would appear that the aftermarket part is holding the bolt at ever such a slightly wrong angle,

Maybe no help but we had something similar on a Kia. The drop links were "handed" or different for right/left hand sides.

Worth checking?

RayH

 

[BlackC55]

They are fiddly. Can you not bolt the bottom on first?

 

[VenomX]

They are fiddly. Can you not bolt the bottom on first?

Tried everything, no luck. Yet the rear passenger was easy.
I looked on YouTube. On an AutoDoc tutorial they intentionally installed a "rear left" part onto the rear right of the car, so I think they had a similar issue to me and had to then fit it that way instead.. And someone in the comments mentioned that theirs were installed like that too ( left part installed on the right )

 

[IanW]

Deleted - I was getting confused with the front drop links.
Old age and a good Malbec....