 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Anti roll bars fitted to a Puma 2.2 |
 
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| Wild Card 90 Member Since: 03 Dec 2014 Location: Gerlingen Posts: 1060   
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My 2012 2.2 90 was originally delivered without ARB´s, and equipped by it´s first owner with Koni HTR´s, double link propshafts and 2" lift springs for off-road use.
Various upgrades (raised geometry trailing arms, extended brake hoses, extended bump stops) have followed over the years, to complete the off-road setup. I enjoyed the lopy feel of the package, and loved the feel of a high riding 90, even on the road. The body roll never bothered me, even though it occasionally took first-time passengers by surprise. Sort of monster truck like, I would quip! The downside was a tendency for the car to torque-steer, under load and at speed. The (often mentioned here) problem of the vehicle pulling to one side or another under acceleration or braking. Generally mine would pull to the left. Worse when towing a trailer. This summer I replaced the eleven year old (!) BFG M/T tyres, and the fresh rubber was a big improvement. However, it still required some extra steering inputs with a 2 ton trailer on the hook. I really don´t drive off road any more (wanting to maintain the good condition of my 90), but am still addicted to my 90. On Sunday, I fitted a set of Extreme 4x4 upgrade ARB´s, purchased a while back, hoping for a little on-road improvement. I was in two minds, unsure if I wasn´t overcompensating with the thicker 25.4 mm ARB´s instead of (the far cheaper) stock items. Really easy to install, as the brackets and mounting holes were already there. After fitting the rear one, I went for a test drive, and couldn´t get over the difference. The steering reacted twice as quick (turn-in, less input required) and the general road manners were far more civilised than before. Some of the local back roads have seriously damaged and wavy tarmac that upset the sportier cars I drive. I tested to see if the already firm (HTR´s on a short wheelbase) had got worse. My impression was that it had somewhat improved, as the axle is better controlled in its movement. An XJ6, it isn´t, but a good Defender. I was concerned that the tightend up rear axle might cause oversteer in an extreme situation, and I tried provoking it, with steering inputs under braking (elk-test style). Oh heavens, yes, in this configuration an inexperienced driver could turn a Defender over, if taken by surprise. Back home the front ARB went on, and I´ve now driven the vehicle both on dry and wet tarmac, and I´m really pleased with the results. A big improvement, and absolutely no torque-steer at all. It feels comfortable and safe, and I wish I had fitted them alot earler.  Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge 1998 Tdi 90 SW, 2008 Td4 90 SW, 2012 2.2 90 SW, 2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma Heavy Track Raids, 255 MT´s, Recaro CS´s, anorak, wellingtons |
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27th Oct 2020 3:46pm |
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| hank Member Since: 12 Sep 2016 Location: South Wales Posts: 2296  
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I retrofitted front and rear OE ARB's to my predominantly road going 110 around a year ago and completely echo your findings.
Massive improvement of road manners and completely cured the wandering under heavy braking. It was the body lean on cornering that led to do it initially, which has improved greatly with the ARB's! > 110 XS Double Cab |
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29th Oct 2020 1:43pm |
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| Joe the Plumber Member Since: 18 Dec 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 907 
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I've been following this thread with interest. I fitted an Alive Eibach rear ARB to my 2014 110 some months back (leaving the front one standard) and was very impressed with the improved cornering, but asking about whether it was worth also trying an uprated front one, opinions about the possible benefits, or otherwise, seemed to be inconclusive.
This has got me tempted again, as all my driving is on the road, but I'm still undecided. |
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29th Oct 2020 1:54pm |
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| Wild Card 90 Member Since: 03 Dec 2014 Location: Gerlingen Posts: 1060
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As has been discussed in other threads, the rear ARB is the one that brings the big improvement. In my case (a topsy raised suspension 90) the effect seemed amazing to me.
The front ARB brings less additional improvement, but the vehicle feels more of a piece, and more stable in braking and avoidance type of manouvres (we all hope we can avoid). @Chris, I bet a slightly lowered (instead of raised) suspension setup feels even more civilised and far more capable. The mediocre performance of our little turbodiesels, and the ambition to keep the fuel mileage in check, means that carrying speed through corners is one of the guilty pleasures of Defender motoring. It is quite enjoyable hustling along a quiet country road, and I´m often impressed how quickly other Defenders are driven, particularly along UK backroads. 
@Joe, my guess is that if you already have the standard ARB up front, the additional improvement will be negligible. However, I´m sure someone on here has made that step, and can enlighten us.  1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW, 2012 2.2 90 SW, 2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma Heavy Track Raids, 255 MT´s, Recaro CS´s, anorak, wellingtons |
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29th Oct 2020 5:10pm |
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| Joe the Plumber Member Since: 18 Dec 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 907
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Thanks folks. I was all set to order a 25.4mm (why not just say 1"...) front ARB to replace my standard one earlier, but just thought I'd check how much bigger it was than the original.
The result: 0.00mm, or 0.00"! Land Rover had already fitted a 1" one, so I think I've probably just saved £200. |
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30th Oct 2020 3:12pm |
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| Sulisuli Member Since: 30 Oct 2016 Location: South west Posts: 4795  
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How clean is your defender
2015 HT XS 90
2008 SVX 90 2000 XS TD5 90 |
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30th Oct 2020 10:33pm |
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| Wild Card 90 Member Since: 03 Dec 2014 Location: Gerlingen Posts: 1060
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Suli, thanks!
 I will happily admit, it only looks like that because of a recent freshen-up.
A local specialist spent several days cleaning off the rust using a dry-ice gun and recoating as neccessary, followed by internal and external wax. Four years of summer (salty coastal air) and winter (skiing) trips had taken their toll. 1998 Tdi 90 SW, 2008 Td4 90 SW, 2012 2.2 90 SW, 2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma Heavy Track Raids, 255 MT´s, Recaro CS´s, anorak, wellingtons |
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31st Oct 2020 10:22am |
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| Sulisuli Member Since: 30 Oct 2016 Location: South west Posts: 4795
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Dry ice gun wow never heard of that, I’m guessing it cleans without saturating the chassis or forcing water in? 2015 HT XS 90
2008 SVX 90 2000 XS TD5 90 |
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1st Nov 2020 7:52pm |
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| Wild Card 90 Member Since: 03 Dec 2014 Location: Gerlingen Posts: 1060
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It takes loose paint and rust off, whilst leaving the healthy coating intact. Doesn´t leave any residue on the surfaces, which can be immediately treated with rustproofing, paint and then wax. Very popular over here. A company called CarBlast has made a name for itself in the last ten years, and can work wonders on any age of vehicle. Unlike sand and glass pearl blasting, the dry ice doesn´t destroy good paint and metal. 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW, 2012 2.2 90 SW, 2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma Heavy Track Raids, 255 MT´s, Recaro CS´s, anorak, wellingtons |
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1st Nov 2020 8:33pm |
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| Sulisuli Member Since: 30 Oct 2016 Location: South west Posts: 4795
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Thankyou for the information
2015 HT XS 90
2008 SVX 90 2000 XS TD5 90 |
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1st Nov 2020 8:37pm |
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| Wild Card 90 Member Since: 03 Dec 2014 Location: Gerlingen Posts: 1060
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I just googled these guys, so am not endorsing them. But this gives a little insight into the process...
https://www.heritagedryiceblasting.co.uk/d...les-boats/ 1998 Tdi 90 SW, 2008 Td4 90 SW, 2012 2.2 90 SW, 2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma Heavy Track Raids, 255 MT´s, Recaro CS´s, anorak, wellingtons |
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1st Nov 2020 8:49pm |
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