I believe the drop link changed at some point, so maybe this isn't
applicable, but I kept breaking them in my '81 Vanagon.  Too much
jeeping, I think.

I finally had one welded and installed and have had no problems.
I have the other side ready, but haven't needed it.  A photo
of the sol'n is at
      http://coyote.colorado.edu/jones/droplink.jpg
It consists of a bolt (sans head) welded onto the drop
link to replace the shouldered, threaded portion.

                                Richard A. Jones
                                Boulder, Colorado
                                '81 Vanagon   Mr Bus
                                '87 Syncro Westy   El Jefe