Help diagnosing anti roll bar problem.

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rory0007
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Drives: Polo twist 9n 2004
Location: England

Help diagnosing anti roll bar problem.

Post by rory0007 »

Hi guys, my VW polo twist, 1.4 9n 2004 is knocking. After jacking up the car i saw this is because the antiroll bar is hitting the chassis. I replaced the bushes (used 18mm)). I also saw the clearance between the ARB and the chassis on the side where it was hitting was also almost non-existent so pushed the ARB across before tightening the new bushes however it is still knocking (actually it's now knocking even worse)

I have attached pictures below from before I changed the bushes.

from the pictures I can see that only 1 side has a sort of 'cap' next to the bush, stopping the bush/antiroll bar from moving. Is this cap supposed to be on both sides, and is that why the bar seems to be sliding? if it is not what is the problem?

Any suggestions on what I can do?

Cheers
Rory H
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Euler2
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Drives: 9N 1.4 TDI AMF 2003
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Re: Help diagnosing anti roll bar problem.

Post by Euler2 »

This problem is common on all 9N Polos, and I'm surprised your anti roll bar has lasted with the plastic end pieces. The solution is to replace the anti roll bar with a new updated anti roll bar that contains metal ends that won't snap. Mine was changed a good few years ago and it meant having to lower the engine subframe to remove/install the new one as it is impossible to get out or install otherwise. There are plenty of posts on this and other forums explaining in detail the same problem.
I purchased a new FEBI one who sell full replacement kits, but you need to know diameter of your anti roll bar and bushings (or code of your engine).
An alternative cheaper measure that 'may' work is to purchase double split shaft collars, but make sure they don't bind.
https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Engin ... index.html

OR Whiteline sell Lateral Lock replacements

https://ukwhitelineperformance.com/coll ... teral-lock
CarbonChaos
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Re: Help diagnosing anti roll bar problem.

Post by CarbonChaos »

Pictures of my 9n3 2007 ( facelift model) you can clearly see stops on both sides
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RUM4MO
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Re: Help diagnosing anti roll bar problem.

Post by RUM4MO »

I thought that VW had changed to metal stops by the date that car was built, my wife's August 2002 build Polo needed a new ARB by its 4th or 5th birthday!

That was way before there were other options like split collars.

To keep things quiet until I could get it repaired, I fitted Jubilee clips to the inner side of both mounting points.

Edit:- the thing is, your ARB will be 16mm diameter but at the mounting points, due to the plastic end stops, it will be 18mm and so that is why the correct mounting bush size for your car was 18mm. As soon as these plastic end stops split and fall off, the ARB is 16mm at the point where you are fitting 18mm, so that can never work.
As soon as these ARBs changed to having metal end stops, the biggest size of ARB mounting bushes were deleted for new build and maybe even a "-2mm" size added to cover the smallest size of ARB.

Just to cap in case I have not written this clearly enough:-
Original ARBs with plastic end stops - 16mm ARB had 18mm mounting bushes 18mm ARB had 20mm mounting bushes
Later ARBs with metal end stops - 16mm ARB had 16mm mounting bushes 18mm ARB had 18mm mounting bushes.
The plastic end stops were made with a raised end section and a "+2mm" tube section under the mounting bush areas.
The metal end stops were only like a thick metal washer welded to the ARB at the correct two points on the ARB.
rory0007
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Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2022 1:20 pm
Drives: Polo twist 9n 2004
Location: England

Re: Help diagnosing anti roll bar problem.

Post by rory0007 »

Cheers for all the replies guys!. So where the ARB was hitting was actually a red herring and wasnt the cause of the knocking noise as i thought. It was actually a drop link. Although ive still installed some jubilee clips to the bar for now to stop it from slipping ahain. Seems like the ARB will live on...for now.
rory0007
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Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2022 1:20 pm
Drives: Polo twist 9n 2004
Location: England

Re: Help diagnosing anti roll bar problem.

Post by rory0007 »

Cheers for all the replies guys!. So where the ARB was hitting was actually a red herring and wasnt the cause of the knocking noise as i thought. It was actually a drop link. Although ive still installed some jubilee clips to the bar for now to stop it from slipping ahain. Seems like the ARB will live on...for now.
chevmat08
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Re: Help diagnosing anti roll bar problem.

Post by chevmat08 »

I had this exact issue and numpty here didn't think to check this forum. Since installing the new bushes the mechanic is adamant it isn't moving and won't move. To be fair I marked where it was rubbing (same as this post) as well as the bar itself and nothing has moved ... but I was convinced these stupid plastic caps (plastic caps on a suspension part, honestly) were helping keep the bar in position (why else would they be present?)

Looks like I'll need a new ARB
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