Yeah, a 400 ton press will bend it ok, but leave all sorts of, ah, interesting stress patterns around the bends I think. This is why springs are given an annealing treatment after bending, and why I wouldn't attempt it without specific specialist advice.

does it even necessarily have to be a spring??

surely the whole point of it is to add strength and rigidity to the rear axle beam?? spring steel would just bend when you apply load to it....

does it even necessarily have to be a spring??

surely the whole point of it is to add strength and rigidity to the rear axle beam?? spring steel would just bend when you apply load to it....

ARBs are a type of spring. Try applying a load to one wheel of an independent suspension with an ARB connected, and watch what happens to the central straight part of the ARB (may be easier if you mark a straight line along it [in case you can't do this readily, the bar will twist, not bend, twist]), and note the deflection of the wheel wrt rest.

Now disconnect the ARB and apply the same load. The wheel will move further.

The thing you don't want to bend is a strut brace, and I'd trust PS to be able to fabricate one of those (for me, not just for him) if wanted.

ARBs are a type of spring. Try applying a load to one wheel of an independent suspension with an ARB connected, and watch what happens to the central straight part of the ARB (may be easier if you mark a straight line along it [in case you can't do this readily, the bar will twist, not bend, twist]), and note the deflection of the wheel wrt rest.

Now disconnect the ARB and apply the same load. The wheel will move further.

The thing you don't want to bend is a strut brace, and I'd trust PS to be able to fabricate one of those (for me, not just for him) if wanted.

Nicely put Ken.

Been exceptionally aware of the roll of ARB's this week as took them off my BMW. certainly do provide added resistance to the travel of the wheel-feels like driving jelly without them on

ARBs are a type of spring. Try applying a load to one wheel of an independent suspension with an ARB connected, and watch what happens to the central straight part of the ARB (may be easier if you mark a straight line along it [in case you can't do this readily, the bar will twist, not bend, twist]), and note the deflection of the wheel wrt rest.

:iagree:

but with a car that has a solid axle beam like a felicia, will it really make any different if it acts like a spring or wether it's rigid:confused:

Felicia has a dead beam doesn't it? In which case it's effectively a trailing arm IRS.

In any event, the reason for demonstrating with an IS is that it decouples the wheels and makes the effect more obvious.

i can get heat treatment done if i have to.

as for the strut brace, i'v got one on the front of mine. but im guna make one for the back, just cuz i can. he he he.

i can get heat treatment done if i have to.

as for the strut brace, i'v got one on the front of mine. but im guna make one for the back, just cuz i can. he he he.

:wrthless:

i'm interested..... i'd like one too

i'm sure we can come up with some sort of arragement over price

Lots to cover on here.

1.) Skoda motorsport used to do uprated rubber bushes (in fact, you bought new front arms with solid rear bushes and uprated front bushes) they are like rocking horse droppings now. They also did uprated rear axle bushes and engine mounts. I've got some for my 1.3 Felicia rally car (Actually 1.4, coz its got a fabia motor in it), but...

I also managed to get Powerflex to make me up some polyurethane front lower arm front bushes. I sent them the attached file, and they sent a pair back about a week later - can't remember the cost, but it wasn't excessive. Getting the old bushes out of the arm was a bugger though.

2.) H&P suspension is fantastic. My Felicia has a 22mm front ARB and H&P shocks, and it's solid as a rock - very little roll. H&P do a few different types of suspension for the Felicia - the stuff I've got is the "Group N", with adjustable spring platforms and helper springs. I bought it new last year (having broken the last lot) through John Shelley, a Czech-domiciled brit who is a bit of a skoda wizard. I can't see uprating the rear ARB making much difference if you run the uprated front one and decent shocks/springs.

3.) I've seen Felicias with Seat Cupra front vented discs and calipers, but I'm not sure whether these just bolt on or not. You would certainly have trouble fitting them under 13" wheels. Golf GTI Mk2 discs can be made to fit on the back by using the stub axles, discs, wheel bearings and calipers from the Golf. Again, you need to get the right calipers if you are using 13" wheels, because some of the later golf calipers won't fit under anything smaller than a 14". I've a separate rear beam with all this gubbins on it being built in my workshop at the moment for the rally car.

I strongly suspect (in fact, I plan to try it one day soon) that the 1.4 16v polo GTi engine (100bhp) would be an easier fit to the Felicia than one of the larger VW motors. When I've finished my current project I'm going to give it a go...

cheers

James

Skoda Felicia - Front Wishbone Bush.doc