Coilover, lower strut brace and ARB fitting

[Robbie C]

I've been fitting my KW coilovers, front lower strut brace and front/rear Neuspeed ARBs this week and thought I'd post a few pics up so

a) People can see exactly how the lower Golf MK2 OMP brace from RallyDesign fits
b) I can check whether the rear ARB alignments looks right before I set it up properly when the car is level tonight.

Thoughts/comments welcome

Rear ARB drop link alignment before setting up properly while the car is level:

Had a bit of an issue with one of the Neuspeed drop link bolts snapping on the front while fitting but Awesome GTI have been fantastic in sorting this out so big thanks to them:

As you can see I'm using Bill's ARB brackets on the rear, just need to cut those bolts down today so I can fit them both alongside each other. I've also replaced the front wishbone bushes for OE front and VT rear.

Has anyone upgraded their rear beam bushes with Bill's/VT ones?? Just wondering whether this was also something I should have looked into doing at the same time.

As I've been reading through http://seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=151811&highlight=ARB I'm conscious of getting the drop links setup correctly so any input on the above welcome

Cheers, Robbie C

 

[ian_cupra]

nice one mate, did you have any issues getting the bolts off to fit the lower strut brace? mine just dont seem to want to come off, feel like there gonna snap!

 

[Robbie C]

Cheers. Surprisingly they were all OK, I was tempted to coat them in WD40 the night before and leave them but luckily it wasn't necessary.

Got to drop the subframe again tonight though as something on the steering column has come off and needs putting back into place

Can't wait to get it aligned and take it for a proper run, with 15mm new spacers on the rear and new Rainsport 2's all round as well it should be a vast improvement over standard

 

[ian_cupra]

should be yeah! got mine on track on sunday, really wanted to get front lower strut on, but just scared of snapping the bolts and then not being able to do the trackday

 

[SEATCOOBER]

just ordered my lower front one today it is the mk2 not the mk2/mk3 as there are 2 paid 23 quid plus vat!!!!

 

[Robbie C]

I went for the MK2/3 one: http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=524

MA1558 is the variant you want

 

[stani540]

im in the same boat cant get the dam bolts off to fit the front lower brace did you use air tools of just a ratchet?

 

[Robbie C]

Just a ratchet worked fine on mine. They were a little rusty but didn't take too much effort

 

[Mat]

without sounding too daft, and i think i may have asked before, but what are the main differences between a lower strut brace and an ARB? AFAIK, the strut brace keeps the struts more straight and stops any kind of twisting, so what exactly does the ARB do?

 

[stani540]

did you use a breaker bar???

 

[Robbie C]

I used a large torque wrench which basically serves the same purpose. I lubed each bolt with a bit of duck oil and then they were easier

 

[chrisbond69]

if a bit solid use an impregnating spray and hit the head of the bolt with the hammer it losen's the bolt off but if its really solid try tightening first a little then it should come undone, worked a treat on my car and the helicopters i work on also does anyone have pictures of the beam from the front is it supposed to be connected anywhere else other than the two end bits?

 

[Robbie C]

Pics above pretty much show it all - the strut brace just bolts onto the subframe at each end.

 

[chrisbond69]

i just see other arbs have mounting clips and rubber/nylon bushes mounted to the rear beam

 

[tarzan]

i snapped my bolt..not funny used 4 ouers to get it out..
were you got the neuspeed front arb from?

 

[christian rea]

does anyone get nocking from theres or are they a good clearence? i dont have a seat yet but my pug has a lower brace and my lower mount is going so occasionally nocks .ive got a powerflex ordered though but thats gona be a week so its irritating

 

[Robbie C]

I got my ARBs from Awesome GTI - http://www.awesome-gti.co.uk/section.php?xSec=333

Chris: The rear ARB is also attached to the rear beam by two brackets that are poly bushed. My pics don't show this.

The drop links on the front ARB were sitting at awkward angles and we couldn't get them straight at all until doing them up tight and they gradually lined themselves up perfectly

My wheels are being refurbished this week in a new colour too and should be back Friday, ready for my alignment on Saturday morning when I also pick up my Seat Sport front strut brace and LCR splitter, can't wait

 

[tarzan]

the front arb is 22mm??? got the back adjusted? some new photoes

 

[Robbie C]

The standard OE front ARB is 22mm - the Neuspeed ones most people go for (including myself) are 25mm front, and 28mm rear. I'll get some photos up over the weekend when the wheels are back on

 

[cus]

well just ordered my lower front strut bar. has it made much difference to handling?

i'm going to be getting lots of WD40 on to the bolts ASAP as its more then likely seized on my car!

good pics btw