Front ARB hitting tie rods?

[Paul Y]

So....

Finally having got my front suspension back together so that the springs sit in the pockets rather than on the 'lip' my ARB is hitting the tie rods...hard!

Of course with the suspension hanging when up on the jack, all is good but when I let the jack down...

My question is, what is the best way of resolving this? Lengthening or shortening the drop link?

I seem to remember a thread a while back where somebody had the same issue but cant find it.

As always appreciate any assistance.

P.

[PGSigns]

Can you post a picture?
Jimmy

[Mackie]

No comprendo ARB. Is that UK term?

[Uptown83]

I think abr is his sway bar

[Slow Build]

Anti-Roll Bar=ARB=Sway Bar

[Paul Y]

Ah... A common language separated by 6000 miles...

ARB - Anti Roll Bar - Sway Bar.

Ran Woody up on ramps so that I can see what is what at ride height, very clear that running the ARB above the tie rods was not the way to go!

No pictures of the before as I was just keen to get it ripped apart and work out where to go in order for it all to clear.

So it now appears that I am an idiot.

I had installed the ARB upside down (didn't know it was upside down when I fitted it...)in order for me to get the drop links to line up, and that, along with the 4"spacer meant that there was pretty heavy contact at ride height but loads (technical measurement) with the suspension at full drop.

Good job that I realised my mistake before moving or causing any real damage.

So the fix.

After lying on my back gazing up at the underside of the chassis I realised that running the spacers was a no go as they pushed the ARB way up into the way of the steering. Therefore, time for the first picture, the drop links trimmed to work without the spacer..



Ta Da!



So bolting them back up to the roll bar I made my next discovery, without the spacer I could not use the factory mounting holes on the lower control arm.

Never mind, quick measure...



(this is after I had drilled the hole) Surprised that I needed to move the mount 2.5" but that meant that I could now bolt everything up.



Cycled the suspension, fully compressed to full drop and plenty of clearance. Should really have done that the first time...hmmmmm...

Anyway, few other jobs to do tomorrow before I roll it off the ramps and report on if I have really fixed it.

Thanks for reading, hope to get an update on the continuing saga of Woodys triumphant conversion to track day hero.

P.

[Jurassic-1]

ARB = Anti Roll Bar

[Paul Y]

Well you know what I said about problem sorted?

Pulled out of my drive way and turned hard left and continued turning left...

Not the best picture but I think you can spot the problem!



Strange as it didn't hit before I drove Woody down the drive way, another lesson learnt!

Flipped the tie rod clamps over and...



Bugger.

Right, what about if i remove the lock nut?



That seems to give a little more clearance.

Cycled the suspension again and took Woody for a slow drive, out of one gate and in through the next. All seems fine so went for a quick drive along the lanes to see what an improvement moving the LCA forwards 1/2" to gain some caster, 1" taller upper ball joints and the addition of a rear ARB have given me.

All I can say is WOW! What a huge difference. A bit difficult to explain but Woody is now very predictable and planted. Hugely confidence inspiring and great fun. There is a small roundabout 2 miles from my home that is very deserted and I use as a sort of bench mark to judge understeer, oversteer and balance.

Woody is completely neutral unless provoked with a little right foot, surprisingly high speeds and this is without a good geometry and on poor tyres.

Even more surprising was the added 'weight' to the steering, feels really nice.

However... still feel that the ARB is too close to the tie rods, hitting a pot hole under lock with the suspension already in compression could cause contact.

So, going to use this


To create stand offs from the LCA's.

So until the next time...

P.

[Mackie]

Thanks for the clarification. Anti roll bar is actually more correct than our swaybar expression.
Glad you're finding workarounds to the issue. An ARB where none was before on my `63 made a big difference especially since I had upgraded to PS. Or is that Power Assisted Steering?

[Paul Y]

Mackie,

Seems like a UK/US dictionary is in order for the forum!

You are correct - PAS = power assisted steering

PAB = power assisted brakes

Etc

P.

[chevy_mike]

Well from what I see, you are using a non factory style sway bar and lower arms with no bump stops. Since this sway bar sits higher than factory and you have nothing that limits how much up travel the lower arms have, it is not surprising that you are having these clearance issues.

A factory style sway bar might give you the clearance you need but having the correct bump stops is really what is needed. My .02 worth.

[Paul Y]

Thanks Mike,

Bump stops were removed by previous owner and are on my list of things to be replaced. In fact to fit bump stops I am going to have to go to longer springs! Once I get the dropped spindles and disks on I will have a clearer idea of the eventual ride height.

As for the ARB, it is a No Limits unit. With the amount of work Rob has done on the product I just wanted to ensure that I was fitting them correctly and wanted to share my learnings with others.

0.2 gratefully accepted.

P.