What are arb and drop links?

[zeeeebo]

ok so my car is lowered at the moment just on springs with standard shocks and as far as im aware thats it, and am thinking about puting some coilovers on. there is alot of talk about arb or drop links? what are these and why are they needed for lowering and what difference do they make?

nathan

 

[Westy]

I'm not too sure on the drop links function so I wont coment but the ARB (Anti Roll Bar) effects the amount of body roll the car chassis has when cornering.

Arbs come in different sizes which increase in diameter and reduce the amount of body roll. Arbs are not needed when lowering but a lot of people just change them at the same time as all the suspension components are off the car.

 

[Essflee]

If you drop the car quite low you'll need new drop links eitherwise you'll get some nasty rubbing and knocking...

 

[zeeeebo]

k cheers guys=)

 

[ben_turbo1]

When I lowered my old A3 1.8t i had to fit drop links as the ARB was rubbing on the drive shaft

 

[Olly P]

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=19300&highlight=neuspeed+anti+roll+bars

:thumbsup:

 

[VTI_EG_DAN]

you can get FK shortend droplinks from here, these are what I have on my car aswell as fk coilovers

http://www.speedbox.co.uk/

 

[jdas03]

I had new drop links fitted recently as mine were broke, what is their actuasl function?

 

[kip]

I too have this problem with the ARB rubbing on the drivers side driveshaft. Will shorter links solve this problem or will the whole ARB bar need upgrading to a aftermarket one like KW? Mine currently loops over the driveshaft.

 

[reptor245]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320449318041&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

You might need to fit these m8

 

[Audi_Alex]

I had new drop links fitted recently as mine were broke, what is their actuasl function?

An anti-roll bar is like a U-shaped piece of metal that twists to control body roll. The drop-links are small struts which connect from something that moves with the wheel (a wishbone, or damper or upright) to one end of the anti-roll bar. same with the other side, so when one wheel goes up on one side and the opposite goes down (when cornering) the drop-links help twist the anti-roll bar.

As for when lowering the car, the standard drop-links are pushing the (horizontal) position of the anti-roll bar into a raised position, potentially hitting other components like driveshafts when turning corners. Therefore, to restore the position of the anti-roll bar, shorter drop-links are required...

hope this helps!

 

[reptor245]

Therefore, to restore the position of the anti-roll bar, shorter drop-links are required...

hope this helps!

You mean longer ones? if the car is lowered then the drive shaft is pushed higher as the springs are shorter. Thus making the ARB hit it. The longer the Drop links the more the ARB is pushed away from the drive shaft

 

[kip]

Okay I had a look at the ajustable ones from the link, how do you know when you have achieved the correct height? Is it a case of a few extra turns more than the standard ones!. Would the longer links not be putting more strain on the arb because you are adding extra force to push it away. The arb mounting rubbers & brackets seem quite weak also.

 

[kip]

Okay phoned performance 3000 today to get to the bottom of this issue,and they say to use shorter ajustable links to stop ARB knocking on the driveshaft. Some people are saying longer and some say shorter very confusing please clarify people who is using what if any. Mine is lowered 40mm and is running on 18" wheels.

 

[DPM]

The best way to stop the ARB rubbing on the drive shaft is replacing it with a Whiteline one. This goes under the drive shaft and not over so give pretty much unlimited clearance.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[kip]

Okay anyone using this type of ARB bar out there?.

 

[zeeeebo]

how much is this bar as mine is knocking at the mo going to raise it up slightly to see how low it can go without banging

 

[tompearson]

I get a clanking noise when close to stall - is this the arb hitting the driveshaft?
Don't seem to notice a knocking at any other time though... (note - I have H&R Springs so not that low, and R32 arbs)

 

[DPM]

The Whiteline ARB is £135 for the non adjustable and £153 for the adjustable.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[zeeeebo]

i may be back in contact damian. its not doing it much, just if i hit a roundabout hard. i am making the front slightly higher so hopefully this will sort it out

 

[reptor245]

Okay anyone using this type of ARB bar out there?.

Yup im running that whiteline ARB from DPM. Fixed my problem and drives like a dream now

 

[kip]

What drop links are you using with the whiteline bar?. The standard links or aftermarket. Also what setup did you go for. The ajustable or non ajustable? Damian says you can have a softer or harder ride with the ajustable one.
Thanks

 

[reptor245]

I went for the Non-Adjustable one. I was running the V-Maxx Adjustable drop links that damian said would cure my knocking but they didnt. In fact i found the V-Maxx one was so big, it almost rubbed on my brake pipes.
I sold them and bought OEM Drop links and fitted the Whiteline ARB and the car drives perfect now with no rubbing at all

 

[kip]

Okay thanks mate, I think I am gunner remove the links first have a trial run and make sure that this is the only knocking I am getting, and go from there.
Cheers