I had a set of M030 ARB's fitted to my S2 a couple of weeks ago as part of my striping out and track preping. I noticed the other day that the car now looks like its riding a bit higher than it did before.
Can the ARB's effect the ride hieght or am I seeing things?

 

I know I'm gonna smack my forehead when you tell me, but what is an "ARB"?

 

Anti-Roll Bars.

 

Perhaps "anti-roll bars"?

Or "Arthritic Rhino Butts"?

"Antique Retro Booties"?

 

[smack] Dang, that even makes sense. Okay, absolutely no positive ride height change should occur as a result of having an Antique Retro Booty. In fact, just the opposite.

Seriously. "ARBs", or sway bars as we mislabel them here, should not affect ride height *if* they are installed with no preload. In a perfect world, you could adjust the preload of the sway bars front and rear. If you are using stock parts, this is much harder. Preload could cause at least one side, usually only one end, of the car to be higher or lower as a result of unwanted preload. Best way to install stock sway bars is with the suspension fully loaded. This can be difficult without a rack.

Also, if you just did this and the car has not really been driven to the point of settling the suspension after it being lifted, it could be just that. Go give it a good driving if you haven't already.

Good Luck!

 

skip, i love you man......

i tightened down my rear sway bar on the ground last week after reindexing the torsion bars. it's a very tight squeeze especially after lowering it. no ramps or lift to help. but you just need long arms. an air ratchet really helps big time, too, since you don't have to rotate your wrist back and forth

 

Well, Joseph, I... uh... love you, too, Man...

 

One question: exactly how tight should I be making the nuts that hold the front Agricultural Research Batalion to the control arms? Should I be completely squishing the bushings?

 

Torque spec is 18 ft-lbs. Bushings will be squished, but not completely squished.

 

Got it. Partially squished. Thanks.