HOW TO: Fit a secondary rear ARB on a Nova beam

[Martin.p]

A few people have asked,
So I'll add my 2p worth.

I've used a ARB that I found 'listed for'
A MG/MGF !
The bar is 20mm thick.
Note the two holes in end of bar. (I cut these off and drilled new holes)



I marked up the hole on trailing arm



Lay'd the bar on so it ran parallel and central to beam and marked holes for new fixing.



I then welded on 4 studs to hold it down.



The bar came with the rubber bush seen below. But the brackets didnt have enough of a arch to them so I used others I had. Think there std GTE front ARB clamps.




^^^^^ different clamps^^^ larger ones where the ones I used.

[Dan Stanley]

I bought the same bar, but Im yet to fit it.
Where you've drilled through the ends, what size bolts did you use? I didnt think the bar would be thick enough to get a strong bolt through the middle of it. I was planning on clamping down the ends using the shallower brackets, maybe.

[Martin.p]

I think they where M8's
The bar is hard as hell!! I got through several bits doing the holes! (Going slow with coolant lube)

Tbh the drop links off the ARB on my old Calibra had smaller bolts holding it to lower arm. And that's a much bigger heavier car.

[Mieran]

Nice work there Martin.p

Well last Saturday I fitted a whiteline from a corsa b, only because it came up cheap second hand and they look better imo, had to take off the old bolts and my mate welded 2 bolts in new position

[Kev Turbo]

Anyone have anything to report regarding handling effect / improvement?

[Martin.p]

This reminds me I was going to take mine off an see if it / how much difference it makes.
Because I'd not driven the car for a yr when it was fitted and put back on the road I can't tell what effect it's having. Hopefully I'll find time to remove it this weekend and see what the change is.

But, I did run the car without a front roll bar for a while. And then I fitted it!
and I personally prefer it with one on front.

Im im guessing with or without rear is going to be a preference thing as well!?

[Kev Turbo]

Be very interested to hear your feedback Martin.

[Dan Stanley]

I thought it much improved the car. It turned in quicker, rather than loading up the suspension before turning.
I run a MGF secondary ARB like Martin's.
Buying the fixtures and fittings was relativley expensive, but I got the MGF bar for ten on twenty quid. It was a 'mare to drill through though.

[Martin.p]

Well. You've had me wondering all day about this, so I got home early and took the bar off. And took it out for a country lane run.
In short get one fitted! :D

without it, the general ride was smoother over bumps.
Car did roll noticeably more. Seemed a lot more effort was being put into front wheels. (Diving down on front corners)
the worst bit was at high speed over our bumpy back roads it seemed a lot more unstable. Felt like I had to fight the steering left/right to stay on track :/
twitchy at speed.


Now ow refitting the bar befor I go anywhere again.
Im for the bumpy ride that feels planted to the road in corners and at speed.

[Kev Turbo]

Awesome feedback - thank you +1 rep given all round!

when you say the ride was smoother - can you elaborate on this?