MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Technical Workshop => Topic started by: SteveS on January 01, 2012, 10:33:43 pm

Title: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: SteveS on January 01, 2012, 10:33:43 pm
My front ARB is set on hard, not sure on the rear, but im going to assume hard until i look.

Im trying to improve understeer. I was reading the front should be soft and rear hard.

So my real questions are. 1, is this correct, and 2. can a normal hands on guy change the setting easily enough or is it just under too much torque and need specific hardware?

also, do people replace the drop links for aftermarket ones?
Title: Re: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: rich83 on January 01, 2012, 10:37:07 pm
You've probably got the front one set too hard.

To combat understeer on a FWD car, you stiffen the rear ARB. (which is why, cheapskates like me add just a rear ARB and set it up accordingly)

I wouldn't bother with upgraded drop link... I've been there done that, got the tee-shirt and they are simply not worth it.
Title: Re: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: SteveS on January 01, 2012, 10:41:56 pm
Cheers, so what i thought, but can i do it, or i gonna have to pay some monkey
Title: Re: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: rich83 on January 01, 2012, 10:45:08 pm
They are easy to adjust providing you have the right tools. You can do it on axle stands on your drive, but it can get tricky if the nuts are corroded.

M6 Spline bit and a 16mm ring or ratchet spanner are what you will need.
Title: Re: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: SteveS on January 01, 2012, 10:45:58 pm
if you undo one side, it doesnt go ping does it!? easiy enough to line up again?
Title: Re: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: rich83 on January 01, 2012, 10:46:59 pm
if you undo one side, it doesnt go ping does it!? easiy enough to line up again?

The car need to be supported equally on both sides... you can't do it by just jacking one side up as the ARB will be under torsion.
Title: Re: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: SteveS on January 01, 2012, 10:47:36 pm
yeah, what i expected, i have stands so thats all good.
Title: Re: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: rich83 on January 01, 2012, 10:54:54 pm
yeah, what i expected, i have stands so thats all good.

Put the stands under the wishbones/trailing arms.  :happy2:

Id come and point and scratch my head, but moving up to hemel soon.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: vRSAlex on January 02, 2012, 09:59:40 am
16mm spanner for the rear bar nuts and an 18mm spanner for the front bars nuts.

If the links have been off recently then the nuts should be fairly easy to get off.  A wire brush and a spray of wd will help no end.
Title: Re: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: SteveS on January 02, 2012, 01:14:32 pm
when doing the bolts up, how tight should they be done?
Title: Re: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: vRSAlex on January 02, 2012, 02:10:20 pm
when doing the bolts up, how tight should they be done?


Just tight, but don't go mad  :happy2:
Title: Re: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on February 07, 2012, 12:40:40 pm
when doing the bolts up, how tight should they be done?


Just tight, but don't go mad  :happy2:

Two white knuckles or three?  :evilgrin:

Seriously, smear some anti-seize thread compound on the thread and face of the nut - you'll never need WD again.  :wink:
Title: Re: Anti-roll bar & understeer
Post by: rich83 on February 07, 2012, 10:17:13 pm
^^^ Good idea.... the arb bolts seize up for fun.