Firstly, many thanks to NovaNeil for his advice on fitting and to vRSStu for the Jabba ARB fitting guide to which this does not differ too greatly.

After a week and a bit of having the bar lying around, I finally got round to fitting it today.

Fitting is pretty much as per this thread:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/whiteline-rear-arb-fitted/95923/

BUT, there are a few things to bear in mind, so all you people on the group buy this may be of interest.

As mentioned on another thread (the group buy one), the threaded U bolts that go over the twist beam are designed for the Polo's rear twist beam, not the Fabia vRS's. As such they aren't quite wide enough to fit over ours by default. But, this difference is only tiny. Take both of these bolts and bend them apart by an extra 10mm - no more. You can do this by standing on one end and pulling up by the other (providing you do actually have some strength, if not get your mum to do it for you ). Don't go too far with this - Widening them is easier than making them narrower.

Now, this then means that the holes in the bush brackets that hold onto the U bolts are no longer wide enough. Once again, a simple fix - lay them flat and bash them a couple of times on the raised part with a hammer, testing against the widened U bolts between each bash.

As per the Jabba fitting instructions, I'd strongly recommend you fit and clamp up the widened U bolt/ bush bracket assembly onto the twist beam one time prior to fitting the whole lot (in the same way you do the clamps in the Jabba kit), so that they all bend to shape and mould to the rear beam. This means when you do it for real it's much easier, especially if you're doing it on your tod.

The other problem I faced today was that I had to do most of this work with the car on the ground, wheels and all. Why? Well, I initially tried jacking the rear of the car up by the sills and then putting the axle stands under the rear spring cups. But, the trolley jack couldn't get the car high enough for the stands to go under the cups. I even tried jacking the car up by the spring cups themselves, but I couldn't do this whilst leaving enough room for the axle stands to go under them too. I didn't have any ramps either. Bugger..... :(

So, instead I did most of the work with the car flat on the ground. Fitting the drop links to the damper bracket was not too difficult, but here comes warning number 2 - the assembly instructions that come with the kit are rubbish. Not just a bit vague, but utter garbage. They tell you to use the short bolt through the damper assembly and the long bolt through the drop link to ARB assembly for example, which is the wrong way round. The bit for attaching the bar to the twist beam is obvious, but you need to use your noggin a bit for the drop link/ damper part.

Next tip is the greasing of the bushes. Make sure you do this before you slot them over the bar. The grease that comes in the little sachet with the kit is black and gunky, kind of like CV grease and much cleaner to apply to the inside of the bush before you slot it over the bar than slapping it on the bar and moving the bush into place afterwards.

Bolt the bar onto the drop link assembly at both ends (but don't tighten everything up, leave things finger tight) and then lift it up to the twist beam. Attach the clamps to the U bolts (which should now be a nice easy fit as you've already moulded them to the rear beam prior ) and once again tighten them up finger tight. Make sure that the bush bracket/ U bolt assemblies are as far apart as the twist beam and ARB will allow. This will ensure maximum stiffness.

Check everything visually to make sure there's clearance between all moving parts and then go round and tighten everything up properly.

I fitted mine on the stiffest setting, and whilst I haven't actually been out in the car properly yet (only moved it on and off the driveway to wash it) the rear feels different already. It jiggles more when going over the entrance to the drive and bumps on the alley behind the house. It's no surprise though that the rear end is so squdgy as standard as the rear twist beam isn't made of much when you look closely at it. :thumbdwn:

A full review of the driving characteristics will follow when I've got the cahunas to take it out on the skating rink roads we have at the moment. :P

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Chris.

great stuff mate,maybe now you won't choke on my smoke;)

Firstly, many thanks to NovaNeil for his advice on fitting and to vRSStu for the Jabba ARB fitting guide to which this does not differ too greatly.

After a week and a bit of having the bar lying around, I finally got round to fitting it today.

Fitting is pretty much as per this thread:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/whiteline-rear-arb-fitted/95923/

BUT, there are a few things to bear in mind, so all you people on the group buy this may be of interest.

As mentioned on another thread (the group buy one), the threaded U bolts that go over the twist beam are designed for the Polo's rear twist beam, not the Fabia vRS's. As such they aren't quite wide enough to fit over ours by default. But, this difference is only tiny. Take both of these bolts and bend them apart by an extra 10mm - no more. You can do this by standing on one end and pulling up by the other (providing you do actually have some strength, if not get your mum to do it for you ). Don't go too far with this - Widening them is easier than making them narrower.

Now, this then means that the holes in the bush brackets that hold onto the U bolts are no longer wide enough. Once again, a simple fix - lay them flat and bash them a couple of times on the raised part with a hammer, testing against the widened U bolts between each bash.

As per the Jabba fitting instructions, I'd strongly recommend you fit and clamp up the widened U bolt/ bush bracket assembly onto the twist beam one time prior to fitting the whole lot (in the same way you do the clamps in the Jabba kit), so that they all bend to shape and mould to the rear beam. This means when you do it for real it's much easier, especially if you're doing it on your tod.

The other problem I faced today was that I had to do most of this work with the car on the ground, wheels and all. Why? Well, I initially tried jacking the rear of the car up by the sills and then putting the axle stands under the rear spring cups. But, the trolley jack couldn't get the car high enough for the stands to go under the cups. I even tried jacking the car up by the spring cups themselves, but I couldn't do this whilst leaving enough room for the axle stands to go under them too. I didn't have any ramps either. Bugger..... :(

So, instead I did most of the work with the car flat on the ground. Fitting the drop links to the damper bracket was not too difficult, but here comes warning number 2 - the assembly instructions that come with the kit are rubbish. Not just a bit vague, but utter garbage. They tell you to use the short bolt through the damper assembly and the long bolt through the drop link to ARB assembly for example, which is the wrong way round. The bit for attaching the bar to the twist beam is obvious, but you need to use your noggin a bit for the drop link/ damper part.

Next tip is the greasing of the bushes. Make sure you do this before you slot them over the bar. The grease that comes in the little sachet with the kit is black and gunky, kind of like CV grease and much cleaner to apply to the inside of the bush before you slot it over the bar than slapping it on the bar and moving the bush into place afterwards.

Bolt the bar onto the drop link assembly at both ends (but don't tighten everything up, leave things finger tight) and then lift it up to the twist beam. Attach the clamps to the U bolts (which should now be a nice easy fit as you've already moulded them to the rear beam prior ) and once again tighten them up finger tight. Make sure that the bush bracket/ U bolt assemblies are as far apart as the twist beam and ARB will allow. This will ensure maximum stiffness.

Check everything visually to make sure there's clearance between all moving parts and then go round and tighten everything up properly.

I fitted mine on the stiffest setting, and whilst I haven't actually been out in the car properly yet (only moved it on and off the driveway to wash it) the rear feels different already. It jiggles more when going over the entrance to the drive and bumps on the alley behind the house. It's no surprise though that the rear end is so squdgy as standard as the rear twist beam isn't made of much when you look closely at it. :thumbdwn:

A full review of the driving characteristics will follow when I've got the cahunas to take it out on the skating rink roads we have at the moment. :P

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Chris.

Good write up there matey Glad to hear someone else was outside freezing their nads off today, i thought i must have been the only mad man outside in the freezing damp weather we call winter, but i feel better now i know someone else was having the same punishment :P

Best place to get used to the bar is the normanton bypass. 3 roundabouts, long straights and not much traffic Or the new roundabout near pindefields hospital is quite amusing going towards wake from stanely Plus if your practising there your not that far away from medical help should things not go to plan.

I think your running the perfect suspension set-up now, I have had my current set-up both lowered and standard ride height and the standard ride height is so much more fun, 3 wheels is easily obtained

Did you manage to have alook at ur rear bushes? mine have started making noise today and i think its the carp on the roads thats doing it :confused:

Enjoy the flatish cornering

oh and click the link in my sig and get your name down chrispy:thumbup:

The rear bushes looked simply full of crud......so, I took the jetwash to them. They're in a really exposed place so it doesn't surprise me that they get some hammer from road dirt.

Hopefull things will all be quiet now. If not, I'll jack the car up again tomorrow and spray them with hot soapy water then drown them in WD40. The rear arches and top parts of the shockers got some stick too with the jetwash.

Applying insulation tape to the rear seat loops made no difference. :(

The rear bushes looked simply full of crud......so, I took the jetwash to them. They're in a really exposed place so it doesn't surprise me that they get some hammer from road dirt.

Hopefull things will all be quiet now. If not, I'll jack the car up again tomorrow and spray them with hot soapy water then drown them in WD40. The rear arches and top parts of the shockers got some stick too with the jetwash.

Applying insulation tape to the rear seat loops made no difference. :(

its the ones at the botton that rattle too,

My car needs a wash, getting to the point where you can read the rear plate

And yes, it was bloody cold today. But with all the swearing coming from under the car after banging my head on the spare wheel well and not having enough room to use both arms I didn't notice.

Noticed from re-reading Neils thread that my kit differed from his. My bush brackets had round holes in them, not slots like his. Also, my ARB itself has shorter flat ends.

Judging by Decrons fun with his Whiteline bar I get the feeling the build quality is all over the place with these things.

My car needs a wash, getting to the point where you can read the rear plate

LMFAO.

Nowt new there then.

Mine was bad before I started. Dunno what sort of gunky greasy **** they're spreading on the roads this year but it does not want to wash off easily.

Yer i always thought whiteline were known for their ace suspension products :(

At least its on now If its as good as the jabba bar once youve had a play, it will be worth every penny

Roads have been really bad today and yesterday, our lass set off for manchester in a clean silver ka and came back in a brown KA

Hurry up and drive it I wanna know if its any good

Will do mate. Tomorrow hopefully.

Yer, Tina's car was bad too, although being parked on the road it was still damp and so the Karcher brought most of it off.

The design of the Fabia means the a55 end gets covered in no time at all which is annoying. The rear wiper gets more use on this car than any other I've owned. :(

Will take the car up the bypass tomorrow I think to see what the score is. Roundabouts here we come....

Will do mate. Tomorrow hopefully.

Yer, Tina's car was bad too, although being parked on the road it was still damp and so the Karcher brought most of it off.

The design of the Fabia means the a55 end gets covered in no time at all which is annoying. The rear wiper gets more use on this car than any other I've owned. :(

Will take the car up the bypass tomorrow I think to see what the score is. Roundabouts here we come....

:rofl:

Keep us posted

I think my diff will make tons more difference than either of the rear ARB choices we have.

I'm interested to know as well though. I've become kind of used to the rear ARB now - almost to the point of being curious what the car is like without it.

Good fitting guide

Just updated the Roomster one

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/roomster/whiteline-rear-arb-fitting-1-9-scout/96521/2/#post1119566

I think my diff will make tons more difference than either of the rear ARB choices we have.

I'm interested to know as well though. I've become kind of used to the rear ARB now - almost to the point of being curious what the car is like without it.

LOL.....that's easy.....the car SUCKS without one.

I thought it was 'ok' till I went in Johns. Mine then felt like a blancmange afterwards and I've not been able to take corners since without cringing.

With the standard 130bhp though I doubt a LSD is truly necessary. Not until you get to the realms of truly bonkers/ Jason Mongrel power do you need to start going down that route.

Good fitting guide

Just updated the Roomster one

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/roomster/whiteline-rear-arb-fitting-1-9-scout/96521/2/#post1119566

Thanks.

Read and commented.

Seems build quality is definitely something that's hit and miss with these things after seeing 3 of them. Mine was fine, as was Neils, although he had different bush brackets to me by the looks of things and also the flat sections on the ends of the bar were longer than mine too.

The U bolts not being wide enough for these cars is not bad build really considering it's a Polo kit.

Ok, just been out for a spin on the bypass and initial impressions are good, really good. I'm used to taking roundabouts gingerly and I had to have a few goes, gradually pushing it a bit harder each time to get a feel for the cars new found stability.

The car now feels balanced. Before it felt nose heavy, cumbersome and a bit soggy. Now, you can push into tight curves and the car simply goes where you point the steering wheel. No more over compensating with 'slow in fast out' and excess turns on the wheel to account for understeer.

Turn in is sharper, much sharper. You turn the wheel and the direction of the car changes. No lurching, no delay, just instant turn in.

To be honest, it now feels like there's a much better balance of the weight throughout the car, like all 4 wheels are dealing with cornering forces, not just the front ones. It's not actually far off my old BMW's for balance (minus the RWD obviously ) which is saying something for a tubby little VAG shopping car.

Getting the car to the limit of tyre adhesion is no longer scary and you can feel it coming as the steering is much more communicative and the rear end behaves itself, not twitching or flapping around when you're on and off the throttle mid bend. In all it's actually made the car easier to drive as it's far more predictable. In my mind it's actually safer.

After owning 12 cars including 3x BMW's, a 306 HDi DTurbo on GTi suspension, a MKI MR2 and a CRX I felt that I had a good basis for comparison in handling terms.

The only negative point I can find is that the rear is now noticably stiffer, even in a straight line. This means that uneven roads (with which West Yorkshire is littered) make the back end of the car jiggle more than before. But, on nice flat roads the car feels completely planted and I swear it pulls less to the left than before.

Ultimately this sudden change means now the car has more cornering ability than I have faith in it and so it will be a gradual process as I learn its new limits. I got so used to not being able to throw it into bends with any gusto and now that it appears I can (within reason), I'm having to regain my confidence in the car.

Nice one mate! Glad to see you've got it fitted and are already feeling the benefits. Unfortunetely I had a blow out earlier in the week so have had to take it easy on the spare (Nearside left) So have still not put the bar through its paces on a dry day.

Me on the side of the M69! Doh!!!

I also noticed a slight increase in rear stiffness. But it is only just noticeable... Having said that my bar is currently set on the "Middle" setting so may not be as harse as yours.

Neil

After some more driving, I'm under the impression this is an awesome modification. Yeah the rear end is a bit stiffer and more jiggly but you get used to this.

But the handling...OMG, SOOOOO much better. :D

Drive the car normally and you don't notice that much, but grab it by the scruff of its neck and throw it into a bend and it just turns in. Flatter, sharper and exactly how it should be.

Brilliant.

If anyone is thinking about fitting one of these, stop thinking.... DO IT!!

we all told you this ages ago,but you kept bangin on about how it worked;)

now get some cupra bushes on,and some big brakes,some coilovers,and come for a race at trax,or cadwell park in feb:thumbup:

I was amazed at the difference springs and a rarb made - this was in direct comparison to a totally standard VRs Fabia we had in 2003. Exactly as you say, more precise, direct, firm and planted.

LOL. Cupra bushes already fitted but that's it for the modding now I'm afraid. Need to get the house finished now so we can move and that's gonna be sapping my cash. Boring but necessary......sigh....

Sorry, slight change of subject but why do people fit these Cupra bushes instead of Poly ones?

Cheers

the poly ones have given trouble on the fabia,if memory serves me corectly,i know there have been quite a few on here who have fitted the poly bushes then changed them for the cupra ones,a search will turn up more info,so i will have a root around:thumbup:

done a little investigating and from the looks of it the poly ones have a nasty little habit of popping out

Hi

Yes they was called the "udder mod" when they first came out

Do a search on udder and this will show you what problems came about

So these are solid bushes and do work , so we have been told

Sarah