ED30 OEM REAR ANTI ROLL BAR QUESTION - ODD ONE

[ljc19630]

Hey guys, hope you're all well.

I'm currently at my pals garage doing a full rear suspension overhaul, using 99% Lemforder parts + OEM shocks.
The arts were purchased from AVS, whom i've never had issues with before.

We went to replace the ARB rummer mounts and clamps with the supplied Febi mounts and Febi Clamps (23604), but they dont fit. Having looked at the parts it says they are for a 21.7mm Bar, BUT the bar on my ED30 is 25.4mm in diameter. Definatly not aftermarket, so a bit of a strange one as I assumed the ARB on the ED30 would be the same as a standard GTi? We've located the correct mounts and clamps (23606) but cant get them till tomorrow

Can anyone confirm that the rear ARB on an ED30 is larger than tge standard GTi?

Cheers
Louie

[Clarkj93]

99.9% sure it's not. This page is helpful https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=28161.0

I reckon someone has fitted a genuine roll bar from another VW or Audi as a way to stiffen the rear. A big lump like the RS6/RS4 for example may have used beefier roll bars?

[ljc19630]

99.9% sure it's not. This page is helpful https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=28161.0

I reckon someone has fitted a genuine roll bar from another VW or Audi as a way to stiffen the rear. A big lump like the RS6/RS4 for example may have used beefier roll bars?

Thanks buddy - I did think it was odd that VW would have altered the size!! - Weird thing is the ARB, mounts and clamps look in the same condition as the rest of the componants (165k miles) so must have been on for may years! What benefit would just changing the ARB give?

Cheers
Louie

[Clarkj93]

It will stiffen the rear which will put more weight on the outside front tyre and typically giving more front grip and allowing the rear to rotate easier. If you drove an identical ed30 with normal gti roll bars you might think it understeers a bit compared to yours for example. So not a bad thing to have!

[pudding]

25mm sounds too big for a rear ARB on the ED30. My Eibach kit was 25mm rear, 22mm front.

Stock ED30 bars are the same size as the GTI's. 21.7mm sounds about right for the rear.  OEM bars are hollow, hence the strange diameters 

I don't think any MK5 platform cars had a rear bar that big, not even the R32, so I'd say it's aftermarket, but it's strange if it's black as they're always red, blue or silver.

Whoever did it probably reused the clamps, which is probably why they look the same age as everything else.

[ljc19630]

25mm sounds too big for a rear ARB on the ED30. My Eibach kit was 25mm rear, 22mm front.

Stock ED30 bars are the same size as the GTI's. 21.7mm sounds about right for the rear.  OEM bars are hollow, hence the strange diameters 

I don't think any MK5 platform cars had a rear bar that big, not even the R32, so I'd say it's aftermarket, but it's strange if it's black as they're always red, blue or silver.

Hey Kev, hope ya well mate

My pal used a micrometer and the outer diameter was 24.5mm. We tried fitting the supplied 21.7 mounts and brackets but had more chance of seeing Lord Lucan appear on Shergar, than them fitting

These were  Febi 23604 Anti-Roll Bar Clamp, Rear & Genuine 1K0511327AS Anti-Roll Bar Mount, Rear

Did some checking and found these and ordered for delivery today - These are https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006DHXSFS/ref=pe_27063361_487055811_TE_dp_1

Goit everything else fitted ok, and now going back Monday to fit larger the ARB mounts that will fit on this ARB. if these don't work I'll just set fire to the car

As you say i reckom someone has in the past fitted a thicker ARB, but a mystery that I guess we will never know the answer too......Maybe I can ask Lord Lucan!!!!!

Cheers
Louie

Whoever did it probably reused the clamps, which is probably why they look the same age as everything else.