Front Anti Roll ( Sway ) bar replacement guide

Ramdom knocking coming from the front suspension? Cout be the roll bar moving about ( side to side ) and hitting the strut forks.

Seen as this room doesn't support img code, I'll post a link instead of a full post.... How to guide here:

http://forum.alfa156.net/forum/forum....asp?TID=34357

Nicely written guide!
I take it this was on a 147 gta rather than 156? pretty much identical I would have thought other than maybe some differences in bolt layouts on exhausts and such like?

Fair play for taking the effort to photo/write all that stuff up

I guess the engine is more secure than it looks in the photo with the balanced piece of wood !

Useless ole me would need some working up to taking that job though

When replacing the front anti-roll bar, do you have to replace the whole bar, or can you buy new rubber bushings only?

you can buy polybushes and fit them using old bar.

Excellent, exactly which bushes should you buy? Powerflex does not seem to have any specifically for the 156, so do you go for any of their universal bushes? In that case what part number?

Thanks,

EBSpares sell the 156 ones apparantly mate.

Originally Posted by ukoldschool

Nicely written guide!
I take it this was on a 147 gta rather than 156? pretty much identical I would have thought other than maybe some differences in bolt layouts on exhausts and such like?

In terms of that job, they are identical. The only difference between that and a 2.5 156 is the stiffening plates, the T/s is very similar to do too.

Originally Posted by Pax

When replacing the front anti-roll bar, do you have to replace the whole bar, or can you buy new rubber bushings only?

Hassle free in / out job.

Originally Posted by pablo

you can buy polybushes and fit them using old bar.

But you have to split the old mounting brakets which are riveted together, fit the bushes and find some way of reataching the mounts.

Are the bushes specifically for the GTA? They have a thicker roll bar than the V6.

I'm tempted to buy some myself and fit the old GTA roll bar to mine - currently I only have the rear bar fitted.

Had to do the same on my Integrale, they dont sell replacement AR bar mount bushes for Lancias either.... got some poly bushes, had to remove the bar, split the mount off (after burnign the old bushes out fist of course) then put the new bushes in which had been in the freezer overnight and tack weld the 2 halfs of the mount back together... all of which was not easy at all and meant ended up with the AR bar squeaking over every bump ........

Chris do you reckon in general the knocking noise from a front ARB would likely be fixed by just changing the bushes, which you say is a pretty quick job with no need to take the ARB itself off?

Yeah the knocking is caused by worn bushes, but to replace them you have to remove the roll bar.

Originally Posted by Trailbraker

Chris do you reckon in general the knocking noise from a front ARB would likely be fixed by just changing the bushes, which you say is a pretty quick job with no need to take the ARB itself off?

from my understanding, the AR bar bushes are not seperate. theyre bonded to the AR bar, so its either replace the whole thing or try and put some poly ones on (which isnt easy)

They're not bonded to the roll bar, they are clamped to it by a two peice bracket that is rivited together effectively making it one piece. It wouldn't be an easy job to do however, I suspect you would have to cut the mounts and bushes off, fit the new poly bushes and brakets and weld the two halves together in situ.

Originally Posted by Chris155

They're not bonded to the roll bar, they are clamped to it by a two peice bracket that is rivited together effectively making it one piece. It wouldn't be an easy job to do however, I suspect you would have to cut the mounts and bushes off, fit the new poly bushes and brakets and weld the two halves together in situ.

Fair enough but playing devils advocate - How can you be sure theyre not bonded on unless youve physically removed one?

Its irrelevant. Aside from which if you have ever had one apart you will know the answer. They aren't bonded to the roll bar.

Nice guide Chris, however I am not going to even atempt that

Its pretty common for folks to fit polybushes. you need the bar out tho so doing it purely to save money (£25 vs £125 ish) is pretty much negated by the labour costs.

If doing it yourself tho it seems a good option.

UKOS - EBSpares and ASSO wouldnt sell a polybushkit if they were bonded on would they?

you misunderstood what I was saying - the original bushes are usually(on most fiat group cars anyway) bonded onto the AR bar so you have to burn them off, the replacement Poly bushes obviously arent

Originally Posted by ukoldschool

you misunderstood what I was saying - the original bushes are usually(on most fiat group cars anyway) bonded onto the AR bar so you have to burn them off, the replacement Poly bushes obviously arent

Originally Posted by Chris155

Its irrelevant. Aside from which if you have ever had one apart you will know the answer. They aren't bonded to the roll bar.

*walks off muttering.

I wasnt aiming my reply at you.
keep up old chap

Originally Posted by Pax

When replacing the front anti-roll bar, do you have to replace the whole bar, or can you buy new rubber bushings only?

Anyone? Which of these bushes (http://www.powerflex.co.uk/universalbush.asp) should I order for the 156 GTA front ARB?