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Thon



Member Since: 22 Nov 2015
Location: Salisbury Plain
Posts: 696

United Kingdom 
Rear anti-roll bar bracket unintended modifications ...
I had a little spare time today and started to give the 110 the first proper underbody clean for 2 years, and at the same time switch wheels to my A/Ts and alloys. I jacked the back up onto axle stands and washed away merrily for 30 minutes or so, and then gave it a chance to dry off a bit. Went to inspect my handiwork and found that both ARB links were badly distorted and pushed into the rear of the spring seats, luckily not crushing the brake pipes: -

Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge

and on inspection found the reasons why: -

Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge

Both chassis brackets had been distorted, presumably in one of my adventures, probably whilst being winched across something unyielding. More annoyingly, Land Rover's insistence in using 8mm bolts with a 10mm AF hex heads proved that the best tool in the box seems often to be the angry grinder Shocked Both sides were bent and the ARB was rubbing on the tank guard. I plan to replace the brackets with new as they're fairly well bent and whilst they could probably be beaten back into shape they won't be as strong.
Post #768472 13th Apr 2019 9:37pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19451

United Kingdom 
Damn, is the ARB it’s self damage free and straight and true?
I’d agree the brackets need replacing, the welds are probably highly stressed now.

Must have been quite a hit to invert the links like that! Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️
And if You Love the Country, then we’re on the same side ~
I got’ love for Britain, I got’ British pride’. 🇬🇧
Post #768480 13th Apr 2019 10:11pm
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Thon



Member Since: 22 Nov 2015
Location: Salisbury Plain
Posts: 696

United Kingdom 
I haven't checked the bar itself yet - was more interested in getting it off than anything else. I was winched across a number of ridges where we had bellied out so I guess it was one of those that did it. I'd prefer to leave it off permanently (together with removing the front) but I guess the implications on insurance would be a concern. As you say, brackets and their welds are looking decidedly secondhand so we'll get them replaced.
Post #768486 13th Apr 2019 10:45pm
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miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1758

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
Whilst insurance concerns are valid, mine, and I believe many others, never had a rear ARB from the factory!!
Post #768534 14th Apr 2019 12:26pm
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OsloBlue



Member Since: 14 Jul 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 822

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Oslo Blue
What concerns are those?

Mine doesn't have ARBs... I'm on IG: https://www.instagram.com/osloblue42/
Current: TD5 '110 "Lucinda" Thread here: https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic62562.html
Post #768553 14th Apr 2019 2:14pm
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miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1758

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
The concern would be that removing the roll bars would class as a modification, and possible one that insurance wouldn't be happy with. But as there's no rule on which defenders did or didn't get delivered with roll bars, or any way of telling if it ever had roll bars, then there's little way for it to be proven what is and isn't original
Post #768556 14th Apr 2019 2:30pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16809

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
That is in fact a reasonably common problem due to the flimsy nature of the chassis mounts. I've seen it a few times.
Post #768568 14th Apr 2019 3:35pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7664

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Worryingly I have also seen it before. Arb bushes failed at axle end bar end locked up against back of spring. Then when trailing arm Bush failed it forced chassis mounts back like this. Was only on one side though. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #768588 14th Apr 2019 5:25pm
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Thon



Member Since: 22 Nov 2015
Location: Salisbury Plain
Posts: 696

United Kingdom 
OsloBlue wrote:
What concerns are those?

Mine doesn't have ARBs...


It's not a concern from the vehicle dynamics aspect, my first 2 defenders and a gazillion others did not have them - it's only that this one was fitted with ARBs from the factory and to remove one could be seen as a modification. I suspect should the insurance company go digging with the original build documentation, they might find it and cause trouble. I'm not keen to give the insurance company an excuse, should push come to shove ....

I checked the bar today and found that the main bar is straight and one mounting tab is slightly bent - nothing of any concern. I measured it as 28.5mm diameter and it's orange so I guess it's also aftermarket, as were the springs it came with originally. Brackets definitely bejiggered and will be replaced.
Post #768623 14th Apr 2019 8:52pm
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roel



Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039

Netherlands 2003 Defender 90 Td5 PU Caledonian Blue
You might be able to find your build specs if you download a version off microcat which is newer then your Defender. And check your vin. You might need an older computer to get it running and set the date to the date that is applicable to the downlaoded version. Mr. Green

If the ARB's are not on there the insurance company can not see if your were fitted or not. Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)
Post #768695 15th Apr 2019 4:06pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16809

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
^^^ Unless they are reading this thread!
Post #768703 15th Apr 2019 4:54pm
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MikeN



Member Since: 27 Apr 2019
Location: Pretoria
Posts: 2

South Africa 
ARB arms has "flipped" due to suspension over-extension. Lifted suspension with longer shocks? Mike Nieuwoudt
1989 110 V8 SW
Post #771635 5th May 2019 4:43pm
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Thon



Member Since: 22 Nov 2015
Location: Salisbury Plain
Posts: 696

United Kingdom 
No, I don't think so, not in this case.

It was winched several times across some hard ridges, which I suspect forced the lower ARB links backwards, bent the chassis brackets and pushed the ARB upwards.

Suspension is standard, both springs and dampers, so over-extension isn't really possible without breaking damper rods/eyes.
Post #771678 5th May 2019 8:59pm
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