RS4 ARB on 3.0TDi Avant

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blackwood

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Hi Guys,
Just bought a 3.0TDi avant s-line, 233bhp model. Going for a re-map later this week, but remember reading somewhere that a really good and easy mod is to fit an RS4 rear anti rollbar.. However, I seem to recall someone saying that it can really mess up the handling at high speed. I can't remember for the life of me where I read all this, so wondered if any of you have carried out this mod, and if it's worth doing? I can easily do it myself, and believe the bits to total around £80... Any comments or thoughts would be really appreciated, thanks in advance..
Regards, Blackwood
 
hi, i had the same car and fitted the arb , never felt any probs at high speed , but it was a different car with the arb fitted very little body roll , if if buy another avant that would be the first thing that i would do all the best aldo286
 
I have had my 3.0 tdi s-line avant just over a week now and would be very interested in how you get on with a new ARB, any info would be appreciated.
Which re-map are you going for? Let me know he results when get it done.
Cheers
 
Hi Guys,
Thanks for your replies, very appreciated.. Ideally I would like a little more info regarding the ARB before I go ahead, though thanks Aldo, your experience has about convinced me.. Guess if I don't like it I can always refit the origional!!
I'm having my remap done by Gary, at TD5 Alive, he has all the hardware and has done two of my Landrover Discovery's with amazing results.. I have total faith in him, having seen his work 1st hand.. Will let you know how it goes...
Regards, Blackwood
 
Hi guys,
The RS4 ARB is well worth fitting - did it on my A4 avant (S Line) last summer, best £76.00 I spent in ages!! Easy to fit, you need two jacks or a car lift though but when done, handling is noticeably improved and does not mess up the handling at high speed either.
Id go for it - hands down!
 
You should not fit an ARB as described above.

The ARB should be fitted with weight on both wheels.

Easiest thing is take it to your local exhaust/tyre place. Ensure they use the drive on ramps and not the post lifts. Probably cost about £30 all in for fitting.
 
scoTTy said:
You should not fit an ARB as described above.

The ARB should be fitted with weight on both wheels.

Easiest thing is take it to your local exhaust/tyre place. Ensure they use the drive on ramps and not the post lifts. Probably cost about £30 all in for fitting.
Click to expand...

Whys that then? We had no trouble what so ever with ours, lined up perfectly well. Its only the same as having a four post car lift - so long as the car was supported and chocked well. At the end of the day all it does it relaxes the body weight etc from the back axle set up!
 
Thanks Guys,
Will fit mine at a mate's garage on his ramp, I believe that the weight of the car should be on the wheels while everything is being tightened up.. Parts on order from my local Stealer, though the ARB is on back order at the moment.. Sounds like a very worthwhile mod to do.. I appreciate you replies, thanks !
Regards,
Blackwood
 
You won't regret it mate - it a noticeable improvement to the handling - bodyroll and understeer. Enjoy! :icon_thumright:
 
Mr_Sixx said:
Whys that then? We had no trouble what so ever with ours, lined up perfectly well. Its only the same as having a four post car lift - so long as the car was supported and chocked well. At the end of the day all it does it relaxes the body weight etc from the back axle set up!
Click to expand...

The main reason is that it's explicitly stated in the factory guide that when replacing the ARB or rubbers that the weight should be on the wheels.

The second second is because of why it's in the factory guide : if you don't then the ARB will rotate quite a lot within the rubbers after they're tightened. i.e. they'll try to rotate more than they're designed to.

Not sure of the implications but since it makes it very clear how to do it then this is what I'd recommend doing.
 
Thanks Guys,
Will be getting it fitted just as soon as my Stealer gets it into stock... Re-map on Thursday...
Regards, Blackwood
 
Hi Guys,
Just a bit of feedback for you... I fitted the RS4 ARB today, WOW! What a difference, I can't believe how flat the car sits through bends now, it just feels so much more planted to the road and positive.. The steering seems more responsive with much less understeer, I thought it was pretty good anyway, but this mod (£79 all in) is so worthwhile. I've had the re-map in for a week now, and am sure it was worth doing. The pick up is much more instant now, and accelaration a lot stronger, fuel economy is not much different, though maybe a little better, high 30's round town, low 40's on a run (steady 70 - 80 mph using cruise), though did average nearly 50 mpg on a more sedate run, 60mph on cruise.. At 120mph (on a private test track) it is still accelarating like a mad thing, though would never use this sort of power on the public highway.. Overtaking is a lot brisker and seems to go up the gears quicker, now capable of taking 5th and 6th at lower speeds..
Hope this helps anyone thinking of doing similar mods... Just need a set of F1's now and I'll be happy! :)
Regards,
Blackwood
 
where did you get the arb from ? What part number did you get quoted ? I'm looking at doing this next for my saloon.
 
Does this affect the ride comfort at all, ie. does it make it stiffer? I'm tempted to do this as it does roll a fair bit (but I was used to something that hardly moved). However as a family car I don't want to compromise the ride comfort any more than the S-line suspension.

Also why were there concerns over high speed control, as surely it's from an RS4 so is built for high speeds?
 
Hi Guys,
The ARB came from my local main dealer, straight off the shelf... I got the bushes and new bolts as well for good measure, £79 all in and delivered. I just asked the parts guy and he sent everything that I needed.. I've had it on the car for over a week now and driven on a mix of motorways and town driving, as well as country back roads.. The ride is no different to standard, you would never know it was there until you go through corners, when the only difference is that the car no longer rolls and just feels so much more positive.. Definately worth every penny... I was only concerned about high speed handling after something I read elsewhere. Having done several high speed trips in the last few days, my worries were unfounded.. Hope that helps..
Regards,
Blackwood
 
blackwood said:
Hi Guys,
Just a bit of feedback for you... I fitted the RS4 ARB today, WOW! What a difference, I can't believe how flat the car sits through bends now, it just feels so much more planted to the road and positive.. The steering seems more responsive with much less understeer, I thought it was pretty good anyway, but this mod (£79 all in) is so worthwhile. I've had the re-map in for a week now, and am sure it was worth doing. The pick up is much more instant now, and accelaration a lot stronger, fuel economy is not much different, though maybe a little better, high 30's round town, low 40's on a run (steady 70 - 80 mph using cruise), though did average nearly 50 mpg on a more sedate run, 60mph on cruise.. At 120mph (on a private test track) it is still accelarating like a mad thing, though would never use this sort of power on the public highway.. Overtaking is a lot brisker and seems to go up the gears quicker, now capable of taking 5th and 6th at lower speeds..
Hope this helps anyone thinking of doing similar mods... Just need a set of F1's now and I'll be happy! :)
Regards,
Blackwood
Click to expand...

So I take it that you fitted just a front ARB ?
 
sc00byd00byd00 said:
So I take it that you fitted just a front ARB ?
Click to expand...

It's the rear bar to change, the front is the same thickness throughout the range, you have to go aftermarcket if you want thicker on the fron, which there isn't a need for.
 
razza1 said:
how long does it take to change over? Been quoted £150 to fit it from Fontain which I think's well expensive, but their labour rate is £65+VAT....
Click to expand...

It's easy mate, couple of drive on ramps and you're sorted in half an hour - 45mins tops. There is a fitting guide somewhere if you're unsure though, I think it's on AUDIZINE.COM, but if you google RS4 sway bar guide, you'll probably find it. :icon_thumright:

That fitting quote is way, way too steep!

EDIT: Here's some guides,

AUDIZINE
A4MODS

Here's your parts list:

RS4 'DRC' 22mm Rear Anti Roll Bar ------------- 8E0511409AM (X1)
Bushes -------------------------------------- 8E0511327B (X2)
Bolts for Brackets ---------------------------- N10127706 (X4)
Bolts for ARB links ---------------------------- N10528101 (X2)
Brackets ------------------------------------- 8E05114392ME (X2)

I'd PM pjmspeedy he's the local AS.NET OEM parts guy, he should be able to get parts a little cheaper for you and deliver quickly.
 
Already had a quote from him, £75 delivered, so just need someone to fit it. Thought it was fairly quick, will have to challenge their quote, would make it easier for them to do whilst I get a service done there (special offer on Longlife service of £149, at least something's a bargain from them...)
 
razza1 said:
Already had a quote from him, £75 delivered, so just need someone to fit it. Thought it was fairly quick, will have to challenge their quote, would make it easier for them to do whilst I get a service done there (special offer on Longlife service of £149, at least something's a bargain from them...)
Click to expand...


How did you get on with this? I got quoted £100 by two different local Audi specialists?

I may have to go down this route though as I don’t have access to a ramp..

I think i will get the kit ordered in the next few weeks.. just waiting for PayDay to arrive!
 
didn't get it done in the end, they'd never fitted it to an A4 before and were quoting 2hrs, but said it may well be less and obviously cost would be less. To be honets though their labour cost/hour is quite high so I'm going to find a cheaper place to do it.

This won't be for a while though as I've got to replace 3 tyres, 2 worn to 2mm and 1 with a nail and unrepairable, so that's where my money's being spent next....:(
 
Gutted for you Razza. I got a nail in a 3K mile old F1 Assymetric 10 days ago, was devistated, but lucki repairable.

I'd definately take it to a garagde that realises what a simple job the RARB is, their prices and timescales take the p*ss. Good luck mate :icon_thumright:
 
Does anyone know if this can be done on a B8?Mine handles like a 2cv at the moment!
 
Guys it really is easy to fit, you just need two ramps and a socket set. I took mine off on the first attempt and then realised I didn't have the brackets so I had to put it all back together until I got the new brackets, that took me about an hour. Once I got the new brackets it took me no more than twenty minutes and believe me I'm no mechanic. Give it a go, whats the worst that can happen? You have to put it back together again - oh no!!

Edited to add: If you don't have ramps, go to a car boot and get some for a fiver!
 
And if the car boot sale doesn't have ramps and you want them sooner, then Halfords sell them for £40, which compared to some of the labour charges is a mear snip and could come in handy again of course.
 
john herman said:
Does anyone know if this can be done on a B8?Mine handles like a 2cv at the moment!
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if it will fit mate. You could see if your parts guy can oder it in as well as a B8 standard bar and measure it all up, although most are unlikely to I woiuld imagine.

You could always purchase the B8 S4 3.0 V6TT bar, bushes and brackets etc.
 
If you get any joy John, post up your findings in the B8 section too, so the guys over there can benefit too. :icon_thumright:
 
I fitted mine at the weekend - and did a bit of a guide.

http://audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=75137

On my car - the hardest bit was getting the bars swapped because of the twin backbox system, although releasing the brackets allowed the old one to sneak out, and the new one in.

Interestingly the electronic workshop manual didn't mention doing it jacked up, or with the weight on the wheels - but it did say that when you lower the car you should 'bounce' the suspension several times.

I did mine on ramps - with the weight on the car.
 
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