Front ARB broken from lower arm

[D813YBB]

The front ARB has sheared off the lower arm as shown in the photo.
It has sheared off at the base of the mounting bolt.

Could anyone confirm the replacement parts required?

[Guest]

Ahh the good old anti-roll bar link! NLA. And they fetch stupid money on ebay etc, one (YES, one!) link made over £80 second hand recently. MAD!


BUT I've found an alternative VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group) part that does the job (only difference is the bush hole is slightly larger 15mm in the VW part, whereas MM is 12mm bush hole).

See 'General Maestro & Montego' thread 'Anti Roll bar link Solved' elsewhere about this. Just needs a thin sleeve over end of roll bar to make up 3mm difference.

If you can't get the VW part PM me and I'll get you a set (yes, a PAIR!) very cheap

Don't throw your old link away, may be possible to repair - perhaps someone on here can say if bolt part can be tack welded back in position without ruining rubber bush?

[Guest]

you can also buy reproduction ones made in marine grade stainless steel which are made in the UK to the same dimensions as the standard one and when painted black appear identical to the originals, even the appearence of the rubber is in keeping with the originals, ideal for show cars and peeps who like to have there cars kept in tip top condition. there £45 each and proving pretty popular.

pm me and I can give the number of the company who make them.

[D813YBB]

oseerees, I have poly bushes on the ARB, can these be kept? What is the 3mm sleeve made of and is it supplied with the new parts? Have they been successfully tested on any MMs?

Team 78 bearing in mind the general overall condition of my car I'm temped towards the cheaper option, but as I use the car every day I need the quickest available solution.

I'll check with my local garage if they can weld it up without damaging any delicate bits.

[Guest]

As the simplest option is to just 'undo' the nut lon the 'bolt' part that goes through the lower arm.
Then remove the 'bush' part (remove from anti-roll bar after a soak with soapy water or WD40 etc) with pair mole grips twisting it till it comes off, bound to be tight.

Then take both parts and see if it can be tack welded. If it's possible, simple. Just refit.

If it doesn't work, well the VW links are in their infancy. I tried 'as is' but only drove down the road. Actually feels taughter but this was without a sleeve. Needs a piece of steel tube about 1 -1.5mm thick, approx 1.5-2inches long, heat up, slide on end of a/r bar and let cool down, good coat of paint or better would be to get bar coated, then slide on new VW link and bolt up.
CANNOT be any worse than original and won't rust as they are galvanised.

Your poly bushes are only fitted to the middle of the roll bar, not the end bushes. These can be kept of course, no problem.

[mgdavid]

Martin, if you want the cheapest, quickest option I can do you a secondhand one by 1st class post - drop me a PM if interested,

[D813YBB]

Thanks to all who offered a replacement part especially TEAM78 who sent me the link which was received yesterday. The car will be back on the road tomorrow.

[Guest]

Not a problem
If anyone needs a standard arb link pm me
I also can supply SS arb links with polyurethane with hardness of 80 (uprated, I personally dont reconmend but on offer if peeps want a stiffer poly bush) or hardness of 60 which is the same hardness as the standard ARB rubbers.
Hand made items with no compromise in quality.

[Guest]

you can also buy reproduction ones made in marine grade stainless steel which are made in the UK to the same dimensions as the standard one and when painted black appear identical to the originals, even the appearence of the rubber is in keeping with the originals, ideal for show cars and peeps who like to have there cars kept in tip top condition. there £45 each and proving pretty popular.

pm me and I can give the number of the company who make them.

I've got confused here TEAM78 - I thought 'you' were making them, as you'd implied that you would have to sell off your ss tube etc?