Anti-roll bar & understeer

[SteveS]

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?

[rich83]

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.

[SteveS]

Cheers, so what i thought, but can i do it, or i gonna have to pay some monkey

[rich83]

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.

[SteveS]

if you undo one side, it doesnt go ping does it!? easiy enough to line up again?

[rich83]

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.

[SteveS]

yeah, what i expected, i have stands so thats all good.

[rich83]

yeah, what i expected, i have stands so thats all good.

Put the stands under the wishbones/trailing arms. 

Id come and point and scratch my head, but moving up to hemel soon. 

[vRSAlex]

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.

[SteveS]

when doing the bolts up, how tight should they be done?

[vRSAlex]

when doing the bolts up, how tight should they be done?

Just tight, but don't go mad 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

when doing the bolts up, how tight should they be done?

Just tight, but don't go mad 

Two white knuckles or three? 

Seriously, smear some anti-seize thread compound on the thread and face of the nut - you'll never need WD again. 

[rich83]

^^^ Good idea.... the arb bolts seize up for fun.