Got my RARB fitted yesterday.

Basically i don't understand why Skoda have never fitted these as standard, it is supreme.

I haven't been too impressed with the handling of the Monte compared to my old Greenline estate & now this simple modification has transformed the cars handling to the point where i no longer feel that lowering the suspension is required any more (would still look better).

Some points to explain what a difference it has made are as follows:-

-the car is more stable in a straight line, it used to kind of move about on the road with constant small steering input required, mot any more, it now holds straight and true.

-because of the previous wallowing i haven't felt confident in the corners.my style of cornering is to hold on the outside as late as possible & then come into the apex, like riding in the gutter on my motorbike kind of style...the Monte however always felt as if the roll was trying to make the tyres lose traction & throw me out of the corner into the ditch and because of that i've been apexing early so that if the roll did that i'd still have a bit of road space left to play with...it isnt my natural driving style though.......since fitting the RARB i am now back to my old style & it feels planted around the corners.

-roundabouts. Any also be a good example, before the car wallowed over, it was hard to keep a line....now i can give it 2/3 throttle on the inside of a roundabout & keep the inside kerb a set distance from the car.

So i'm chuffed to bits...as sharkrider correctly said...best bang for your buck mod.

Also thanks to Dan for organising the group buy...top man!.

One thing to note though is that ground clearance is a slight worry as the RARB is now the lowest part of the underbody at each end of the axle so i'll need to watch out over speed bumps.

Question for the gurus....are my eyes deceiving me or has it changed the Toe on my wheels ie is the RARB pushing them out more for better cornering as well as stiffening things up???.

Cheers

Nog

Glad u have felt the benefit awesome isn't it? Lol

As for the angle of the wheels, they do se in a bit at the top. Very tight fit! I haven't noticed any odd tyre wear

Nice review

What make is it? And is it the same as the vRS ARB?

I need one, sounds great

What make is it? And is it the same as the vRS ARB?

I need one, sounds great

Hey Brimma, it's made by H&R and i do believe it fits all cars of that particular platform, seat skoda and Estates and Hatchbacks.

Dan who did the group buy fitted his to A Seat Ibiza.

it would fit yours brimma, and its an awesome mod

 

and noggy, you wont have any issues with clearance

If you don't mind me asking, how much was the RARB and how easy are they to fit.

Reading all of the positive comments has made me consider one and I'm not usually into mods and things like that.

If you don't mind me asking, how much was the RARB and how easy are they to fit.

Reading all of the positive comments has made me consider one and I'm not usually into mods and things like that.

 

Second that mate.

 

Also, would it affect warranty/insurance? 

 

Cheers.

If you don't mind me asking, how much was the RARB and how easy are they to fit.

Reading all of the positive comments has made me consider one and I'm not usually into mods and things like that.

Hey Gazbull, it cost us £160 on the group buy, from AKS Tuning,a guy called Alex, was quite helpful.

It isn't complicated, the bolt going through the bottom of each shock comes out & then the RARB mounts to that point with the longer bolts provided, then you get 2 metal straps with rubber bushes, like big jubilee clips and they just hold the horizontal part of the bar to the axle so that the bar doesn't swivel down & hit the road.

I still didnt fit it myself though as i dont have a jack after my neighbour breaking it & i also dont have axle stands, i'ts 1 hours worth of labour though to get a garage to do it & woola....instant handling...it's the pot noodle of cornering!

Doubt it would affect insurance or warranty, I work in insurance so will find out tomorrow when I'm in if it does or not.

Think you need to declare it to insurance! better to be safe than sorry. 

Think you need to declare it to insurance! better to be safe than sorry.

I would second that as well, whether it makes a difference or not to your premium, you should always declare it in case you ever had to make a claim then they can't refuse to pay out because of an undeclared mod.

Oh no someone mentioned insurance :(

I shall now Declare this thread an insurance free zone ha ha!

There shall be only rejoicing

Gonna have to see if I can syphon off some cash from the Bank of Gazbull and SWMBO and treat the Monte to a RARB.

Might try and improve SWMBO's handling as well while I'm on!

Also on the lookout for one when my monte arrives, as well as a suspension overhaul amongst other expensive things!!

you need to declare it.... I just had my car fixed by my insurance (£1k job!) for a smashed spoiler and tailgate by a slate from my roof in a storm! you know what the repaireer said ? "nice ARB, how does it affect handling?" I have declared to insurance, and it was a 15% increase, most people would probably get a better rate, mine is a driving school car

as for warrenty, my garage is fine with it, most it will void is rear suspention.... i wouldn't want OE shocks if they failed, I'd upgrade them

Might be tempted by the Whiteline option, doesn't seem to hang as low as the H & R

 

http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?part_number=BWR19Z

 

http://www.whiteline.com.au/docs/install_guides/Z362.pdf

Might be tempted by the Whiteline option, doesn't seem to hang as low as the H & R

 

http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?part_number=BWR19Z

 

http://www.whiteline.com.au/docs/install_guides/Z362.pdf

It's a bit of a limp option compared to the H&R, not as stiff and connected via drop links which again lessen the impact.

I am generally regarded by those who know me as a tool, never clipped my H&R RARB, the proximity of the lower sections to the wheels means it's highly unlikely to catch anything and my commute to work takes me over speed bumps of all shapes and sizes including the half beach balls in the middle of the road.

Go H&R or go home

Anyone have a link for the H & R rear please?

as sparkly said Bryan, the ones with drop links are alot weaker......

 

no link here, try the group buy that was done? whoever supplied that must have them!

Ask AKS Tuning for a price

Amazing what one simple bar can do!