Do I need better ARBs with my new suspension?

[Simon/s3]

Hi,
I've just purchased a Koni srt suspension kit with h and r springs I also ordered the forge adjustable rear tie bars to sort out the rear camber but reading through some old threads I noticed people mentioning getting new ARBs Aswell, do I need to get some? does it make much difference? Which ones ect? Any help/advice is much appreciated
Thanks

 

[superkarl]

See if you like the way the car handles first before changing unnecessarily

 

[Simon/s3]

See if you like the way the car handles first before changing unnecessarily

OK thanks thats what I wanted to hear currently it's on lowering springs with standard shocks and non adjustable tie bars so the new setup should feel great in comparison I hope
Thanks for the reply

 

[Jutchops]

I always found the worst part about the handling way weight transfer and turn in, the lowering should change the standard behaviour though lowering the centre of gravity etc, but you may find that the turn in and body roll still causes over steer when you're pushing on, it's just not a particularly light car. Adding the front ARB and polybushing it has always been the first thing I've gone when I got a new S3.

 

[Tj 0785]

I have that kit on mine does handle better through corners/ country roads but it is a harsh on bumpy roads you feel everything

 

[Simon/s3]

I always found the worst part about the handling way weight transfer and turn in, the lowering should change the standard behaviour though lowering the centre of gravity etc, but you may find that the turn in and body roll still causes over steer when you're pushing on, it's just not a particularly light car. Adding the front ARB and polybushing it has always been the first thing I've gone when I got a new S3.

I agree, Once I've got the new suspension and bits on il see how it feels bushes and ARBs next on the list I think thanks for the response

 

[Simon/s3]

I have that kit on mine does handle better through corners/ country roads but it is a harsh on bumpy roads you feel everything

Oh dear :/ I was under the impression I was getting the best of both worlds looks lower and handles better but don't feel the bumps too bad have you done your rear tie bars to sort the camber?

 

[Tj 0785]

No no yet tyre wear has not been bad on the rears so not got round to it but it's the fronts that many times I've fought I've broke something but saying that the roads are bad round here

 

[Simon/s3]

No no yet tyre wear has not been bad on the rears so not got round to it but it's the fronts that many times I've fought I've broke something but saying that the roads are bad round here

Orte ye that's OK then, mines not been too bad but the back ends abit loose in the wet cus of the smaller contact area, did the kit lower yours much? cus saw something about it lowering 25mm but could be less on s line models that are already lower than standard? Cheers

 

[Tj 0785]

I think it was about 25mm drop like it said but tbh I never measured it and never took before and after photos

 

[Tj 0785]

Also I fitted powerflex top mounts which tbh wasn't a good idea from a comfort point of view

 

[Simon/s3]

I think it was about 25mm drop like it said but tbh I never measured it and never took before and after photos

Cool that's good to know been worrying since I ordered it that it guna be like 5mm lower than standard haha cheers for your help

 

[Madmax199]

I always found the worst part about the handling way weight transfer and turn in, the lowering should change the standard behaviour though lowering the centre of gravity etc, but you may find that the turn in and body roll still causes over steer when you're pushing on, it's just not a particularly light car. Adding the front ARB and polybushing it has always been the first thing I've gone when I got a new S3.

Very puzzling post! Yes, lowering does lower the center of gravity, but it also lowers the roll center even more. Say 1" of lowering lowers the CG 0.75", the roll center is lowered 1.25". This increases the roll couple (moment arm that measures from the distance between roll center and center of gravity), and makes the handling worse.

What's puzzling is you say that "turn in and body roll still causes oversteer"? These cars are understeer prone, and just lowering them accentuates the trait. But the really interesting statement is that adding a front ARB is perhaps something you recommend? This will undoubtedly makes the car even more understeer prone and turn it into a pig. A rear ARB upgrade I can understand as this would shift the balance towards neutral or oversteer (depending on the bar's rate).

 

[millsy75]

What he said ^^

 

[Kevin@bndynamix]

Just bought coilovers for mine not yet fitted went for kw v3 with project silver rear arms. Also got r32 front/rear arb's which are about 3-4mm thicker than s3 ones. Will get fit then one day when have time.

 

[mark_S3]

That's mine sat on H&R Springs with Koni STR-R Shocks.
It definitely settled lower than the quoted 25mm.
Been running it for well over 2 years. Reason why I went for it was I wanted a comfortable set up (daily car back then) whilst giving me better handling and looks.
Got to admit it feels very OEM and perfectly fine over normal speed bumps.
Can be abit harsh over some pot holes and uneven roads but generally is fine.
Its a great set up for the cost.

Since fitting I have however uprated the ARB's to R32 ones with Super Pro Bushes and also refurbished the wishbones along with front and rear Super Pro Bushes. Both modifications definitely made a better improvement in terms handling and stiffening.

The car is now a weekend blast every now and then so tbh Ive been thinking about switching to Coilovers. Most likely KW V2's.

Hoping to drop rear end this winter for a overhaul so going to replace rear swing arm bushes which after 16 years will more than likely have plenty of play in them.



Sent from my F5121 using Tapatalk

 

[ayfreetee]

Whatever you fit, it's imperative that you have the car set up properly on a good quality four wheel alignment system, believe it or not, Kwik fit use a good system, but it's only as good as the person that uses it I'm afraid.

 

[snowy]

but it's only as good as the person that uses it I'm afraid

So true

a highly trained hunter alignment operator at work:

 

[Simon/s3]

Just bought coilovers for mine not yet fitted went for kw v3 with project silver rear arms. Also got r32 front/rear arb's which are about 3-4mm thicker than s3 ones. Will get fit then one day when have time.

Nice hope you enjoy them, so the ARBs are same length as s3 just thicker/stronger?

 

[Simon/s3]

That's mine sat on H&R Springs with Koni STR-R Shocks.
It definitely settled lower than the quoted 25mm.
Been running it for well over 2 years. Reason why I went for it was I wanted a comfortable set up (daily car back then) whilst giving me better handling and looks.
Got to admit it feels very OEM and perfectly fine over normal speed bumps.
Can be abit harsh over some pot holes and uneven roads but generally is fine.
Its a great set up for the cost.

Since fitting I have however uprated the ARB's to R32 ones with Super Pro Bushes and also refurbished the wishbones along with front and rear Super Pro Bushes. Both modifications definitely made a better improvement in terms handling and stiffening.

The car is now a weekend blast every now and then so tbh Ive been thinking about switching to Coilovers. Most likely KW V2's.

Hoping to drop rear end this winter for a overhaul so going to replace rear swing arm bushes which after 16 years will more than likely have plenty of play in them.



Sent from my F5121 using Tapatalk

Cars looks good pal, That's good to know I read some specs that made it sound like it would lower an a3 25mm but a s models would be less due to already lowered suspension so thats a relief thanks, ye i chose srt for the same reasons it's my everyday car want some comfort along with the looks and improved handling did you do the rear tie bars to sort the camber? nice are the r32 arb's different lengths or just stronger? thanks for the help

 

[Simon/s3]

Whatever you fit, it's imperative that you have the car set up properly on a good quality four wheel alignment system, believe it or not, Kwik fit use a good system, but it's only as good as the person that uses it I'm afraid.

Thanks for the advice I have an audi specialist local to me who have a hunter system so I will trust them with the alignment

 

[Jutchops]

Food for thought, makes me wonder if the benefits I've seen from a front arb are simply as a result of replacing a likely ten year old bar with aged bushes...not sure, it was recommended to me by a well known tuner and I've done it on my last two cars with positive results on both occasions...certainly not worsened the oversteering characteristics. Probably just having my pants pulled down to put a few extra pound notes in someone's pocket!

 

[vanilla_ice]

Also I fitted powerflex top mounts which tbh wasn't a good idea from a comfort point of view

Did you go for the standard height or 10mm drop?

Currently waiting for some standard height top mounts to arrive. Is the ride quite noticeable?

 

[Tj 0785]

Standard height . On a smooth road/ half decent road there fine No problem at all but the state of the roads is a joke round here and can make driving the car quite unenjoyable at times

 

[vanilla_ice]

Do you think they will improve with time?

What did you have before the powerflex mounts，standard or LCR?

 

[Tj 0785]

I don't know tbh this is the 1st car/time that I've put aftermarket/ lowered suspension on any of my cars and didn't know what to expect. At one point I thought they had broke cause going over sum bumps you get that loud bang/ harsh crash and think o crap. I had standard ones on before that
The srt kit has been on just over a year and the polyglot top mounts about 3-4 months