Anti-Roll Bar (ARB) Fitting

[gerrym]

ARB fitment was /is a bit tricky as the spacing of the holes didn't match the "stud" spacing on bottom of coil overs. Solution was to use a ratchet tie-down strop to compress ends. A hose clip on the ARB ends stops the strop sliding down the bar ends. Anybody care to specify other methods used?

[CBUEB1771]

The eyes in the ends of the anti-roll bar and attachment studs align fairly well at normal ride height. I place my +2 at a convenient working height on stands. Then I jack under the front hubs until the suspension is close to the normal ride position. This requires care as quite a bit of energy is stored in the compressed springs and the hubs are happy to rotate. I place pieces of wood between the jack cradle and hub to avoid marring the thread.

[peterako]

Eeek!!

When I replaced my front shocks and springs I 'discovered'
that the anti-roll bar would not align with the studs on the shocks.

I was near to crying....really! It had, as usual, taken longer
than expected to change out the old ones (a few seized
bushes etc.) so my wife's patience was running out....

Then it dawned one me....maybe the distance between the
studs and teh roll bar holes is because the suspension is hanging
free....

Wheels back on, let the car down...hey presto...the studs and
holes line up.....well nearly. As good as any part on the Lotus will
line up!

Placed a jack under teh roll bar (protected of course) and carefully
jacked it up one side at a time....nice!

Have had the front sus off a couple of times since
(new uprights/trunnions, new bearings) and this method works
pretty well for me.

Just be careful with the stud threads.

Take care,
Peter 1973 +2S 130/5

[gerrym]

Russ and Peter, thanks for replies on different methods. My suspension is not at the correct ride height (maybe because car is missing lights, seats, inetriors, radiator etc). Springs and shocks havn'nt been changed yet as part of chassis change from rusty Lotus to Spyder, so they are not the cause. With the ride height up but wanting to check all the clearances etc, I was keen to fit the ARB hence ratchet strop & hose clip method. Note that ARB studs on the coil-overs (Konis) are threaded metric M10 x 1.0 (small trap for the mechanic)

Regards

Gerry