 | Home > Technical > Rear anti-roll bar bracket unintended modifications ... |
 
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| Thon Member Since: 22 Nov 2015 Location: Salisbury Plain Posts: 696  
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I had a little spare time today and started to give the 110 the first proper underbody clean for 2 years, and at the same time switch wheels to my A/Ts and alloys. I jacked the back up onto axle stands and washed away merrily for 30 minutes or so, and then gave it a chance to dry off a bit. Went to inspect my handiwork and found that both ARB links were badly distorted and pushed into the rear of the spring seats, luckily not crushing the brake pipes: -
 Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge and on inspection found the reasons why: - Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Both chassis brackets had been distorted, presumably in one of my adventures, probably whilst being winched across something unyielding. More annoyingly, Land Rover's insistence in using 8mm bolts with a 10mm AF hex heads proved that the best tool in the box seems often to be the angry grinder  Both sides were bent and the ARB was rubbing on the tank guard. I plan to replace the brackets with new as they're fairly well bent and whilst they could probably be beaten back into shape they won't be as strong. |
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13th Apr 2019 9:37pm |
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| Thon Member Since: 22 Nov 2015 Location: Salisbury Plain Posts: 696
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I haven't checked the bar itself yet - was more interested in getting it off than anything else. I was winched across a number of ridges where we had bellied out so I guess it was one of those that did it. I'd prefer to leave it off permanently (together with removing the front) but I guess the implications on insurance would be a concern. As you say, brackets and their welds are looking decidedly secondhand so we'll get them replaced.
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13th Apr 2019 10:45pm |
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| miker Member Since: 13 Sep 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 1763 
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Whilst insurance concerns are valid, mine, and I believe many others, never had a rear ARB from the factory!!
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14th Apr 2019 12:26pm |
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| OsloBlue Member Since: 14 Jul 2018 Location: Essex Posts: 822 
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What concerns are those?
Mine doesn't have ARBs... I'm on IG: https://www.instagram.com/osloblue42/ Current: TD5 '110 "Lucinda" Thread here: https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic62562.html |
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14th Apr 2019 2:14pm |
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| miker Member Since: 13 Sep 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 1763
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The concern would be that removing the roll bars would class as a modification, and possible one that insurance wouldn't be happy with. But as there's no rule on which defenders did or didn't get delivered with roll bars, or any way of telling if it ever had roll bars, then there's little way for it to be proven what is and isn't original
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14th Apr 2019 2:30pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17382 
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That is in fact a reasonably common problem due to the flimsy nature of the chassis mounts. I've seen it a few times.
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14th Apr 2019 3:35pm |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8030  
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Worryingly I have also seen it before. Arb bushes failed at axle end bar end locked up against back of spring. Then when trailing arm Bush failed it forced chassis mounts back like this. Was only on one side though. Cheers
James 110 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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14th Apr 2019 5:25pm |
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| Thon Member Since: 22 Nov 2015 Location: Salisbury Plain Posts: 696
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It's not a concern from the vehicle dynamics aspect, my first 2 defenders and a gazillion others did not have them - it's only that this one was fitted with ARBs from the factory and to remove one could be seen as a modification. I suspect should the insurance company go digging with the original build documentation, they might find it and cause trouble. I'm not keen to give the insurance company an excuse, should push come to shove .... I checked the bar today and found that the main bar is straight and one mounting tab is slightly bent - nothing of any concern. I measured it as 28.5mm diameter and it's orange so I guess it's also aftermarket, as were the springs it came with originally. Brackets definitely bejiggered and will be replaced. |
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14th Apr 2019 8:52pm |
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| roel Member Since: 08 Aug 2009 Location: Lelystad Posts: 2039  
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You might be able to find your build specs if you download a version off microcat which is newer then your Defender. And check your vin. You might need an older computer to get it running and set the date to the date that is applicable to the downlaoded version.
If the ARB's are not on there the insurance company can not see if your were fitted or not. Roel 1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001) 1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009) 2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts. 2003 90 Td5 (2009-now) |
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15th Apr 2019 4:06pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17382
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^^^ Unless they are reading this thread!
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15th Apr 2019 4:54pm |
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| MikeN Member Since: 27 Apr 2019 Location: Pretoria Posts: 2 
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ARB arms has "flipped" due to suspension over-extension. Lifted suspension with longer shocks? Mike Nieuwoudt
1989 110 V8 SW |
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5th May 2019 4:43pm |
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| Thon Member Since: 22 Nov 2015 Location: Salisbury Plain Posts: 696
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No, I don't think so, not in this case.
It was winched several times across some hard ridges, which I suspect forced the lower ARB links backwards, bent the chassis brackets and pushed the ARB upwards. Suspension is standard, both springs and dampers, so over-extension isn't really possible without breaking damper rods/eyes. |
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5th May 2019 8:59pm |
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