Anti-roll bars

[E_T_V]

Does anyone happen to know the thickness of the antiroll bar fitted to some models

Also were they all the same or were some thicker than others.
I was thinking it would be relatively easy to make a much thicker/stiffer anti-roll bar than standard to combat body roll. Would this be worthwhile?

[threelitre]

Does anyone happen to know the thickness of the antiroll bar fitted to some models

Also were they all the same or were some thicker than others.
I was thinking it would be relatively easy to make a much thicker/stiffer anti-roll bar than standard to combat body roll. Would this be worthwhile?

Hi!

I fitted one from a late monty estate TD to the front of my Maestro 1.3. It improved handling quite a lot, tyre squealing appears at much higher speeds then before - even using 155 rubbers. But it also affected ride comfort to a degree as the car now seems a bit more bouncy on bumps hit by only one side. I personally would not like a stiffer one as this would spoil the ride.

On a note: When looking at the videos footage showing prototype Maestros bashed around all sort of tracks, it is noticeable that ALL cars on test are fitted with the ARB, even 1.3's. So it seems to be designed and laid out to have one...

Regards,

Alexander

[E_T_V]

Yes all the holes are there to mount them, I suppose they just built the lowest spec models to the lowest price so omitted extras like them. Also on the ledbury cars I suppose because they were destined for such bumpy roads that they were also omitted on them too to improve the ride.

I was thinking of trying to improve the springs without fitting stiffer springs and uprated shocks as that will make the ride much more harsh whereas a stiffer antiroll bar would have less of a negative effect on the ride quality.

well that is what I thought anyway, I wonder if it would work??

[Jack]

Aren't the Ledbury cars made with diesel type under pinnings - suspension, wheels etc. My N/A diesel does not have an ARB. Springs are quite stiff.

The theory on ARB's and spring stiffness is to have soft springs which are better able to follow the undulations of the road, and a stiff ARB to prevent the sway allowed by the soft springs. The only problem then comes when one front wheel hits a bump and the other stays level - this would bring the ARB into play, but it's not a significant problem.

[threelitre]

Aren't the Ledbury cars made with diesel type under pinnings - suspension, wheels etc. My N/A diesel does not have an ARB. Springs are quite stiff.

Oh, my understanding was that apart from all 1.3's all other Maestros had ARBs, but obviously the last ones differed...

The only problem then comes when one front wheel hits a bump and the other stays level - this would bring the ARB into play, but it's not a significant problem.

Not significant, depends on your likings. The one I have fitted already started to affect ride quality noticeable. So anything stronger wouldn't be to my liking - well others might think different. But it is a very cheap and simple mod with huge effects....

Alexander

[E_T_V]

Anti-roll bars seem to be quite random in their apperance across the range. I think all estates and MG's got them however some diesels did and some didn't (my 93 TD doesn't have one). All vans got them I think too.

[Fast Guy]

Does anyone happen to know the thickness of the antiroll bar fitted to some models

Also were they all the same or were some thicker than others.
I was thinking it would be relatively easy to make a much thicker/stiffer anti-roll bar than standard to combat body roll. Would this be worthwhile?

Can't remember of hand but there are 2 different sizes at least, as the bushes Motobuild sent me once for my mg were to small :banghead:

If you go to thick on the anti roll bar you'll end up increasing understeer as the front end will be too stiff to allow any roll and it'll try and lift the inside wheel. (The common upgrade on my current car is a thinner front anti roll bar)