I pickedup the ally and acetal bushes for the anti roll bars. I had had a drawing of them previously but had decided not to wled on plates just in case I miss measured. At least this way I could assemble everything up and see what was going to hit etc. First up was to assemble the ARB with the blade. I had only just got the bolts as they were a funny size!
Below are the split ally clamps and a whole acetal bush. I have done it this way rather then with a different system to allow me to change the bar size, although a new acetal bush would need to be made for a different diameter, rather than having to buy different size clamps and drill new holes.
Next on the list was to cut the bush in half. This obviously means there is a small gap in the bush where the saw blade cut, but for an ARB this is no problem whatsoever!
Then, for the front, I made up two steel plates to bolt the blocks to. These need to be reasonably dtrong as theyare going to take a reasonable loading, and if they flwex the bar will bind up and wont work correctly!
Here you can see the front setup prior to welding. Now, having an angled end is not perfect, it should really be at 90 degrees, but this was the only way it would fit around the wheels. Either this or have the bar going through the car, but then this would be getting close to getting in the way of the pedals, not a good idea really!
I tacked the plates to the sides of the car. Unfortunatly the ally braces to the sides of the splitter have had to go. They just didnt fit around the bar. However they need to be there so I will just make so new ones that probably weld to the main central stay. They will be steel but shorter, so I am hopeful they wont be any heavier…
Its only tacked for now, as I plan to strip the car this weekend or next ready for paint. So when I do this I will finsh off all the welding. I deliberatly placed the plates behind the upper gussets to add some extra stiffness to them. Otherwise it is bending just along a line, which is potentially weak, whereas now it has to bend across 2 line at 90 degrees to each other.
At the rear, as the bar needed to be pushed back a bit, I had to make some outriggers. These are made from so offcuts from the original splitter frame, no waste here, with inserts welded inside. Again these will need gussets but these will be welded on when the chassis is stripped as its much easier to weld the right way up rather than grovelling on the floor upsidedown.
Here is the rear ARB all tacked on.
Below you can see the overall rear setup. I need to make some droplinks and at the rear I will tap the bolt on the upper wishbone.
Tags: Suspension
