S2 ARB Dimensions

[James_G]

While I had the wheel off today I noticed that my ARB bushings are shot, the ones that sit directly underneath the lower control arm. Since I'm going to be replacing them and therefore the bushes on the inner drop links I wondered if I would do well to upgrade the whole ARB, as it's my intention to use the car for a few tracks days.

Since I have this in mind I have already been in touch with ESS to talk to them about their KLA Industries ARB drop link support kit, and I'm planning on installing 968 castor links too. However what I don't know is what is the standard diameter of an S2 front anti-roll bar. That way I can tell whether any second hand ones are going to be any good to me.

Can anyone update me?

Thanks

 

[Big Dave]

THE only upgrade to fit are some 968 M030 anti roll bars..
They are 30mm front + 19 mm rear.. the rears have 3 positions in which you can fit the drop link, either increasing or reducing the stiffness...
Whilst your at it, you might aswell fit some poly bushes , they reduce the "give" in the suspension aswell....

I think the S2 ones are 26mm front + 16/18 mm rears..If memory serves me correct...

There are also the Weltmiester bars , but thats a whole different piece of kit... Multi adjustable...

 

[zcacogp]

S2's had different sizes of ARB's fitted at different times in their production, so it's not quite as simple as it might be. An M030 upgrade is a good way to go tho', and doesn't cost a whole load.

Having said that, I did a suspension rebuild about 9 months ago on my S2 with Koni adjustable shocks, new tie rod ends for the steering and new Powerflex bushes on the ARB's, and the end result is VERY pleasing. Excellent for road use ... can't comment for track use. If you wanted to save the £3-400 of the new ARB's, you can still get an excellent result.


Oli.

 

[TTM]

I upgraded the ARBs on my S2 from the original 26.8/16 mm to 30/18 mm and have not been too pleased with the result - too much understeer and heavier steering. I believe the springs not to be stiff enough to work correctly with the bigger ARBs.
I use 30/19 mm on the turbo with much stiffer springs and they work fine.

 

[Peter Empson]

I have the 968 M030's that Dave mentions and they are awesome on my car. The adjustable rear is also a great help in fine tuning the balance too. I would also recommend going for polyflex bushes and definately the KLA arb braces whilst you're in there. The ride did suffer a bit with the arb's but it's worth it []

 

[PJS917]

First thing I did on my S2 was fit 968 Mo30 bars, they improve turn in and make the whole car feel
more connected. If handling is more important than ride for you, I would certainly fit polybushes as well.

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: PJS917

If handling is more important than ride for you, I would certainly fit polybushes as well.

Interestingly, I could detect no noticable drop in ride quality with the polybushes fitted. It is no more harsh than before.

Koni shocks made it a LOT more positive (and utterly eliminated any fore-aft pitching, which was a pain beforehand) but didn't make it noticably harsher either. I did retain the stock springs tho'.

Don't forget the importance of an accurate geometry set-up. That has to be the thing that made the biggest difference, and was the cheapest thing of the lot (I did shocks, tie rod ends, bushes and alignment at the same time.)


Oli.

 

[James_G]

Thanks guys. I'm going OEM bushes for now, as they are totally shot and need immediate attention, along with the KLA supports and 968 castor mounts, with the view to doing a few sessions on the track to see where I am.

I too have noticed a lot of fore and aft pitching under accelarting and braking, so next on the list will be shocks. When I change them I will put in polybushes and the 968 Mo30 roll bars too, assuming I can find some/afford some at the time.

Oli, did you go through the process of modifying your front struts to fit your Konis in? I have read the various things online about it, and it lools do-able but how did you find it?

And one final point, I can't get a little picture of my S2 to show on the LHS. I'm clearly missing something easy as everyone else has one!

Cheers

James

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: James_G

And one final point, I can't get a little picture of my S2 to show on the LHS.

Go into 'My Profile' at the top of the forum page and scroll down until you get to 'My Avatar' and check the box titled 'upload my picture'. Enter the filename of a .JPG picture on your PC, it needs to be smaller than 145x145 pixels and 20kb in size. Use Paintbrush to resize any picture until it is small enough.

 

[James_G]

Thanks. You have to upload a picture and select the radio button. Doh!

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: James_G
Oli, did you go through the process of modifying your front struts to fit your Konis in? I have read the various things online about it, and it lools do-able but how did you find it?

Yes, I did modify the struts to fit the Konis.

It's very easy - much easier than people make it out to be. I know that some places charge a couple of hundred quid to do it, and it takes less than an hour each side. I actually made up a jig to ensure that I did it properly, but it's not necessary at all. You will need a decent large hacksaw, an engineers vice and a reliable tape measure. Oh and a good electric drill, but that's about all.

PM me for more info if you need to.


Oli.