Anti-roll bar

[dannels]

Hi all,

I had a lancia break from the kids excitement about Santa visiting soon and decided to trace a clonk I get from the front suspension when I go over a pot hole (all too frequent it seems). I traced it to worn anti-roll bar bushes.

What is everyone's thoughts on standard replacement v some form of poly alternative (has this been done by anyone?)

Cheers and merry Xmas
Dave

[Jay]

Hi Dave

I actually replaced mine on Friday, after the MOT man failed me on them, as well as a ball joint.  I just brought them from Omicron with next day delivery and it pasted the MOT that day. I didn’t look around for aftermarket ones as I wanted the MOT done before they shut down for Christmas.
 
Not sure if you can buy after markets ones off the shelf. But you could with a lot of investigation, find some similar alternative and as long as they are very hard with a sharp knife, drill and lathe tool (turning down the end bushes) make them fit. (When I was heavily into skateboarding we used to turn our wheels in my dads lathe to change the shape and size, you just need a very sharp tool)     
 
Personally I think the tires are the weak link in the front suspension/handling, as my always tend to sequel and understeer way before the rolling bothers me. I am even thinking of going down the Pirelli Cinturato route as I have been told they don’t breakaway so early, plus my Michelin’s are over 18 years old now.

Back to the roll front roll bar, it not really under much load so an easy job, just fit all the fixings very loosely before tightening the bolts up.

[dannels]

Thanks Julian - I assume she passed the MOT?

I did my lower ball joints when I did the springs/dampers - but left the anti-roll bar - however a little use seems to have done for the old rubber.

Cheers
Dave

[lancialulu]

Personally I think the tires are the weak link in the front suspension/handling, as my always tend to sequel and understeer way before the rolling bothers me. I am even thinking of going down the Pirelli Cinturato route as I been told they don’t breakaway so early, plus my Michelin’s are over 18 years old now.

A new set of Michelins transformed my Fulvia which used to squeal and understeer. The best handling upgrade.... The old Michelins were rock hard....

[Jay]

Interesting regarding the Michelins, how old were they Tim?

Dave it was only a ball joint on the steering arm, not the arm that links across the front or the suspension. Luckily I replaced some of the others a couple of years back so the nuts and threads were nice and clean.

[lancialulu]

Probably original. But and, its a big but, the new Michelins did not understeer at all......

[dannels]

Any tips on getting the end rubber into the wishbone holder before I try washing up liquid and a drift?

Cheers
Dave

[Jay]

Hi Dave

I used washing-up liquid and a vice, the end with hole went in first.