Anti Roll Bar Impossible to Re-install

[p1renn]

I just finished restoring the front suspension (body is off the car so it's a bare chassis), and I'm trying to refit the ARB. I assume that you can't put the ARB back on the car if the suspension isn't at its normal ride height? The suspension is sitting very high because there isn't any weight on the car yet, so perhaps that is the problem? Basically each end of the ARB isn't even close to matching the hole inserts of the poly bushes that sit in each control arm. I'd have the bend the ARB inwards and it's impossible with how rigid it is. It's driving me crazy because I removed the ARB when the body was off the chassis and the suspension was around the same height. It seems like it should just bolt back up the same way...

[rogerch]

OK, here's the deal. Unmount it from the chassis, no springs or dampers mounted, lots of rubber grease, if they are new ARB bushes (as they should be) you won't get it in whilst under load. Now re-fix it to the chassis, before putting the dampers back. You will need some downward pressure on the lower link to get the dampers in.

It's bar steward of a job but makes you realise how bade the old bushes were!

Good luck,

Roger

[p1renn]

Ha ha, I figured. Never can be too easy. Thanks for the tip!

[V8-ESPRITS3]

my tip is to use a ratchet strap and pull the antri roll bar together, done it many times on all sorts of cars works every time!

[p1renn]

Great suggestion as I was trying to avoid pulling the front of the car apart again!

[Herbert Harvey]

p1renn,

I realize this post is 8 years old, can you tell me what you learned putting your anti roll bar back in? I have a much later Esprit however, I have just replaced all of my bushings and put new coil overs in. Haven't put the anti roll bar in yet. Made one attempt and quickly figured out I need to do some research before giving it another go. If you have any tips or anyone who sees this post has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. If its of any use my esprit is a 1989 Turbo (non-charge cooler model)

[silverfrost]

Ask Barry,   IIRC   his special fitting tool was a cricket bat 

[andydclements]

Post-85 it's relatively easy, as the ARB simply slides through a rubber (or poly if you've opted for that) bush, whereas the Triumph- based ones have bushings that need to be compressed by the ARB in order to fit.

Post-85, my advice is use a suitable (so not oil/ lithium grease etc on rubber) lubricant, on the ARB end where it will need to go through the bushing. It can help to simply remove the ARB mounts, fit through the bushing, then refit ARB mounts. Also, keep the wheels level, so jack up the wheel/hub to the suitable height for the ARB to meet the bushing else it's an unnecessary battle.