Anti Roll Bars - Wet Weather Handling..your thoughts...

[Redev]

Hi All,

I've got a stock DSG GTI and feel that the understeer in particular in the wet needs addressing quickly before the depths of winter are upon us. I'm using Michelin PS3's (which aren't the best wet weather tyres but they've got 6mm on them so they wont be going anywhere for now!) and they're correctly inflated.

My plan is to fit H&R Arbs front and rear in addition to a set of Eibach spings to lower it a tad (i'm not happy with the look of the ride height - i'm on stilts!).

Can anyone let me have their thoughts - positive or negative on the effects of changing the ARB's on wet weather handling?

The ARB's are a mini investment in themselves - i definately want to use the H&R ones as i know of a set going for reasonable price (one set only i'm afraid)

Thanks all in advance

[RedRobin]

Can anyone let me have their thoughts - positive or negative on the effects of changing the ARB's on wet weather handling?

ARB's will help handling regardless of roads being wet or dry. They aren't going to reduce understeer directly but will reduce body roll. They are just one component in suspension/handling mods but very good value. They also reduce nose dive under heavy braking. One of the first mods I did. Be warned of the slippery slope of modding!

[big al]

Thanks Robin.
I too have been wanting to get some ARB's for the GTI, but never got around to it, now that most of my cosmetic modding is done I may look into it.
Think my front one has been removed when I had airride fitted. But all the more reason to get a rear one put in.

Are they easy to fit?

[rich83]

Stiffening the rear should help understeer  bit, i know it has on mine.

[RedRobin]

Stiffening the rear should help understeer  bit, i know it has on mine.

....Yes, you're right - If you setup the rear ARB differently from the front but I understood the OP to be referring to wet weather handling in particular. I prefer understeer to oversteer.

[RedRobin]

Are they easy to fit?

....Fitting can be a bit awkward/fiddly only because of other stuff in the way. Perfect time to fit would be when changing dampers or brakes etc.

[rich83]

The rear one is easy to do. Wheels off and 6 bolts (you need a spline bit)

Front is a pain because you have to drop the subframe.

[Redev]

I'm liking the sound of this - is there much mileage in getting the WALK kit done if the ARB's have been changed or Is that overkill? I don't do track days etc but do like a solid planted car as opposed to the nervous one I have at the moment...

[RedRobin]

^
Also doing WALK isn't 'overkill' - Every little bit helps or contributes to improved handling. Good handling is a joy whether one does trackdays or not. You can drive fast but responsibly on the roads. The only downside is the cost of modding.

Probably the best mod of all is to first remap your brain: http://www.drivetrain.uk.com/  <-- You take some of those skills you learn with you whatever you are driving.

[danishmkvgti]

In wet weather understeer is safe, whereas oversteer is very much not safe. As i have only fitted a rear arb and in may was on a trackday i learned that in the wet the best you can do is to remove one dogbone on the rear to get the max traction from the rear wheels in slippery condition. Trust me you do not want overstter in slippery condition. 

[SteveP]

ARB's will help handling regardless of roads being wet or dry. They aren't going to reduce understeer directly but will reduce body roll. They are just one component in suspension/handling mods but very good value. They also reduce nose dive under heavy braking. One of the first mods I did. Be warned of the slippery slope of modding!

Stiffer ARB's doesn't help in the wet, it does IMHO make it worse.

[RedRobin]

ARB's will help handling regardless of roads being wet or dry. They aren't going to reduce understeer directly but will reduce body roll. They are just one component in suspension/handling mods but very good value. They also reduce nose dive under heavy braking. One of the first mods I did. Be warned of the slippery slope of modding!

Stiffer ARB's doesn't help in the wet, it does IMHO make it worse.

....Stiffer than what? Do you mean stiffer than OEM or stiffer rear ARB as posted by others above?

I haven't experimented with stiffer rear ARB than front or vica-versa - All I know is that a matched pair of aftermarket ARBs help.

[berg]

^
Also doing WALK isn't 'overkill' - Every little bit helps or contributes to improved handling. Good handling is a joy whether one does trackdays or not. You can drive fast but responsibly on the roads. The only downside is the cost of modding.

Probably the best mod of all is to first remap your brain: http://www.drivetrain.uk.com/  <-- You take some of those skills you learn with you whatever you are driving.

Has anyone been on a drivetrain course? Might be interested as want to ensure I can drive to the maximum of my abillity and be safe with it

[berg]

ARB's will help handling regardless of roads being wet or dry. They aren't going to reduce understeer directly but will reduce body roll. They are just one component in suspension/handling mods but very good value. They also reduce nose dive under heavy braking. One of the first mods I did. Be warned of the slippery slope of modding!

Stiffer ARB's doesn't help in the wet, it does IMHO make it worse.

I concur, I set my rear arb to stiff and front arb to soft and i find it fine in dry but twitchy in wet weather at speed ie motorway. This is because I am still on stock suspension (b12 going on on 1st oct) so in conclusion dont set your rear arb to stiff unless your other mods already compliment it

[RedRobin]

Probably the best mod of all is to first remap your brain: http://www.drivetrain.uk.com/  <-- You take some of those skills you learn with you whatever you are driving.

Has anyone been on a drivetrain course? Might be interested as want to ensure I can drive to the maximum of my abillity and be safe with it

....I have and I think it's excellent. A whole day in your car with 'Big John' around the roads of Oxfordshire with plenty of short breaks and analysis/discussion. I practice most of it every single time I drive my car and much has become natural.