no i dont think it will mike, i put that link up to show felicia16v, the 23mm bar cannot be the standard thickness for a standard octavia arb as the upgraded bars that aftermarket tuners sell like whiteline are 22mm (a 1mm downgrade not upgrade in that case), and that wouldnt make sense as no one would buy them then. Also why would a standard octavia have a thicker front arb than the vrs?!

The r32 front arb is def not the same as the octavia, there are thicker bars out there, but the r32 bar shares the same setup as the vrs (or vice versa) fortunatley for us so the r32 bar is the best/cheapest arb front upgrade for you.

Yes I agree 100%, Ali at UNIT 18 said to do the R32 ARB upgrade also. I think there is just a misunderstanding on where he is taking his measurement from.

I'd have like to get this mod done before Castle Combe but don't think I will have the time. I don't think I will have any issues as long as I avoid lifting off mid corner

the biggest differance with the vrs set up over the std octy is the fact that the vrs roll bar is linked directly to the strut so has more effect on wheel pressure where the normal octy one is mounted half way up the wishbone so will have less effect on wheel pressure due to the leverage effect acting on it.

If you were to mount the std roll bar on an octy onto the strut like a vrs it would have more effect too.

apparently it won't fit the VRS I think the guy is measuring the wrong part of the ARB :yes: If done a fair bit of research on the R32 ARB and no one has said its the same as a standard octavia.

if you read back my first post I was asking what differance there was between the 2, IE are they the same shape etc too as well as diameter (which could have little effect depending on the type of steel used in the first place.

I've not compared a vrs one to the std one to see if they are different at the ends yet..

so you are both saying all the octys have a 21mm roll bar??

I'm saying the VRS doesn't have a 23mm bar. If the normal Octavia does but it's not as effective and won't go on the VRS then it's not really applicable to the thread? You are probably right though if you've changed and measured them. I've only ever seen the VRS ARB.

yea I know the VRS doesn't have one but I am saying the octy estate has.. I was asking the differance and if it will fit or not..

yea I know the VRS doesn't have one but I am saying the octy estate has.. I was asking the differance and if it will fit or not..

Don't know mate, the R32 ARB seems to be the preferred mod.

The MK 4 Golf (none R32/4motion) has the same ARB set up as the Octavia Hatch and estate(none VRS)

i.e it has a ARB joined to the wishbone by short drop links. The R32/4motion/LCR/Audi TT and S3 and our VRS's have the same ARB hook up points from using longer drop links from ARB to suspension strut.

The The R32/4motion/LCR/Audi TT and S3 typically have 23mm ARB with only the early TT and 4motion starting life with a 21mm one.

The VRS has a 19mm one

all other variants of Golf / Octavia have most commonly a 19mm ARB with some exceptions of a 21mm one.

I would expect the 1.6 octy to have a 19mm ARB.

All Octy and Golf variant have the same ARB bracket after 2001 and it is just the thickness of the bush to take up the different size ARB that changes.

couldnt have put it better myself mark

hence my comments that the standard estate or a standard golf gti should not have a 23mm arb fitted, thats for the top end sports versions..

I haven't read all this thread but I can confirm that the mk 1 Octavia estates have 23mm diameter front anti roll bars. I'm about to replace my 21mm arb on my TDI with the 23mm one I removed from an estate 1600cc the other day. I'm also going to use the steel droplinks as apposed to the plastic ones.

I haven't read all this thread but I can confirm that the mk 1 Octavia estates have 23mm diameter front anti roll bars. I'm about to replace my 21mm arb on my TDI with the 23mm one I removed from an estate 1600cc the other day. I'm also going to use the steel droplinks as apposed to the plastic ones.

There you go I was not dreaming and apparently didn't measure in the "wrong place"

cheers for that Ken

:moon:

Ok now we have established that there IS a 23mm arb for the octy can anyone tell me how different the R32 one is?

or is it the same thing

Ok now we have established that there IS a 23mm arb for the octy can anyone tell me how different the R32 one is?

or is it the same thing

I am still not completely convinced there is a 23mm for the estate and certaily not the VRS estates, but if i am wrong then happy to accept that. Anyway lets not go there again..

Any ARB taken from an estate unless it is the VRS estate is not going to be the same design as the R32 one regardless of diameter of it. They hook up differently.

So if you are referring to your 1.9TDi you can not fit the R32 ARB unless you change the suspension and drop links to suit it to be able to bolt the longer drop link to the strut. (none VRS struts do not have the hook up points) But if you are stating you already have a 23mm off a none VRS estate then you have the correct one to fit your vehicle.

I am still not completely convinced there is a 23mm for the estate and certaily not the VRS estates, but if i am wrong then happy to accept that. Anyway lets not go there again..

Any ARB taken from an estate unless it is the VRS estate is not going to be the same design as the R32 one regardless of diameter of it. They hook up differently.

So if you are referring to your 1.9TDi you can not fit the R32 ARB unless you change the suspension and drop links to suit it to be able to bolt the longer drop link to the strut. (none VRS struts do not have the hook up points) But if you are stating you already have a 23mm off a none VRS estate then you have the correct one to fit your vehicle.

Have you got a photo of the R32 ARB?

Have you got a photo of the R32 ARB?

Here you go.

You can see the way the R32 ARB like the VRS one goes under the drive shaft. This is the main difference to the none VRS design ARB as the ARB like on yours will go over the Drive shaft in a tigher curve.

Pic of longer drop link ready to fit to suspension strut.

Drawings of the different ARB's and hook up points

That answers my origional question then cheers..

But there is defo a 23mm octy roll bar which Ken has and I have just measured the golf gti one too at 23mm which is the normal octy type.

sorted then

Nice photos and the diagram is brilliant it even gives a part number for the 23mm ABR which I'm using 1J0411305E :yes:

anybody fitted the front ARB for an S3? Are they the same as the R32?

i think they are 21mm