Lemforder Steering Drag Link Issues

[Mike K]

I recently replaced all the steering linkages and damper. I used Lemforder tie rod ends and steering drag link, as I was told these are the original OEM parts and their quality is superior, which is also reflected in the price. The old ones I removed were also made by Lemforder.

Last week I was under the car tinkering and noticed that there was a small amount of white grease seeping out of the rubber boot on the drag link. On closer inspection I noticed that there was a tiny cut on on the rubber boot near the bottom metal retaining ring.
See pic 1 below.

I figured this is only going to get worse...
After trying about 5 or 6 online retailers I found it out of stock and was told that Lemforder no longer manufacture this part.
I managed to eventually find another Lemforder drag link on Amazon France of all places, it showed as the last one in stock. It arrived a couple of days later.

I removed the previous newly installed drag link and replaced it with the latest one. After a test drive I noticed that this drag link also has a small cut in the rubber boot near the bottom metal retaining ring, with small amounts of grease seeping out.
See pic 2. below.

Having a go at this for the 3rd time now, I ordered a Febi non-OEM drag link which I plan to install today.
I've compared the thickness of the rubber boots on the two parts, the rubber boot on the Febi is considerably thicker than the Lemforder....

On this subject I have a question: Am I correct that the castle nuts on the drag link have to be tightened as far as they will go i.e. hand tightened (I've also read somewhere that they need to be torqued?) so that the cotter pin can be fitted?
In other words is there perhaps an issue of maybe over-tightening the castle nuts and causing this issue on the rubber boot or is it a question of inferior rubber being used on this particular part?

Thanks
Mike

[Tyler S]

I think you have a quality control issue. If these are no longer made, how long have these been sitting on a shelf? Rubber degrades wether its on a shelf or on a car. Is it a cut or a split?
If you want to keep the Lemforder links, you can order new rubber boots to replace them. I'll see if I can still find a link I saw a while back. 

[Mike K]

Thanks for the feedback Tyler.

It's a split on the rubber boots on both drag links.
The rubber looks and feels new, there's no sign of it having perished or degraded. I think it's more a quality control issue.

Have a look at this link which I've since come across which lists MB Parts Manufacturer Quality-:
http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1919&highlight=graf
Interesting to note the comment under Lemforder:
"(a ZF Group brand; suspension components. Starting to change factories outside of Europe as of 2016, may end up in the "inconsistent" section eventually.)

I've just fitted the Febi drag link, been for a test drive, everything appears and feels as it should be, 3rd time lucky!

Best,
Mike

[Shvegel]

That's an odd one.  It almost looks like the boots are getting cut during the installation of the blue spring retainer.

[ja17]

You used to be able to  order a new boot and clip from the dealer.

[Mike K]

That's an odd one.  It almost looks like the boots are getting cut during the installation of the blue spring retainer.

I think you're right.
There's also no question that the rubber feels thinner than the rubber on the non-OEM drag link which I've now installed.