Heavy duty front anti roll bar any good?

Lottie my 5 year restro is now taking to the road and a pleasant enough ride but wallows? a bit. I feel the front suspension travels quite a lot and there is more roll than I would like. Suspension is stock, new shocks all round and she sits up quite tall, 75cm ground to base of front wheel arches. I did some reading on Ratwell and am considering an upgraded front anti roll bar. I see and EMPI 7/8" bar widely sold by our specialists. Does anyone have any experience or advice on the issue?

 

It is said you need a rear bar as well if you stiffen up the front bar.

Also the roll bar does nothing to the front suspension travel if both wheels are compressed together.
It will still nose dive under braking.

The suspension is all set up for a fair bit of roll and wheel travel compared with modern cars.
(hence the rear wheel camber on lowered buses that are basically sitting at rest like both sides are cornering in opposite directions as the suspension is permanently compressed)


I would try living with it for year, try for instance a mild off roading on a dirt track at 20-30 mph before deciding its wrong.

Tighter feeling suspension can be had, from properly lowering but you will gain other problems.

 

Hi Mike, its good to have some informed comment and I will take your advice and gain a better appreciation of the overall ride before I make any mods. VMT Martin

 

Bays do sit high (with excellent ground clearance - better than a lot of 4x4s), and do have "supple" suspension. Your springs might be getting a bit tired, but otherwise what you describe is normal.

 

Just measured mine and it's 75cm too. After my maiden voyage the other day I remembered how they feel to drive. It's taking a jog to revive the old muscle memory but it's a strangely comforting old memory. Makes you feel a bit like Captain Pugwash.

 

“Nodding Dog” is the best description of Bay suspension. Perfect for driving down rough tracks in Oz or Africa.

 

I fitted both the front and rear heavy-duty ones.

Might be all in my head, but I think it drives better and I'm pleased with them

 

Many thanks for the reassurance, particularly the 75 cm Mike and being ex RN I am happy with promotion to Pugwash. Its beginning to come back, our last dalliance with air-cooled was 70/80's and the Beetle did drive better with the proverbial bag of cement up front. I did however worry a bit when our stripped out T2 was used to ferry JCB bucket loads of sand. Unfortunately the building took priority and I sold the bay window to a teacher with the time and enthusiasm to finish that project, I hope to get it right this time.

 

This post has made me think about my own suspension response.
Hitting a speed bump/cushion, at an appropriately low speed, has quite a jolt (as in firm spring) from the front but by the time the rear hits it is very much more supple, no speed change.
Is this a characteristic feeling from front/rear?
Perhaps being over the front you feel it more?

 

At the front, you're sitting right over the wheel

 

I have the front one only fitted on my stock bus. Instant and noticable improvement - doesnt drop anywhere near as much on the turn left turn and does roundabouts faster.

Bag every bus handling improvement.

Be better if I did the rear as well, but that is a bit more dosh and work.

 

Did mine today - haven’t driven it yet.
I’ll let you know tomorrow

 

..

 

i can confirm it makes a big difference.! glad i did it.

 

Many thanks all, keep the feedback rolling in or hopefully not rolling so much. Any recommendations on brands and best prices? I see EMPI widely advertised at differing prices.

 

JustKampers bundle kit for front and rear on mine - all good

 

pretty sure the suppliers are all selling the same stuff.

 

I did the rear on mine... Amazing difference. No more wallowing around the corner. Only thing is the bar hangs quite low so reduces ground clearance but I don't think I'll be off roading (other than campsites) so it'll be okay

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