Rear ARB bracket cracked

[Paulprior]

Just noted that my near side rear ARB bracket is cracked through around the drop link mounting hole, so 2 questions
1. I was hoping to use the car tomorrow/ Monday so could I just remove the ARB and drive?, I seem to think I have read about some people preferring this.
2. Best way to repair, it looks like it has been welded before and now cracked around the weld, I was thinking of cutting out the profiled sheet that it’s made from and replacing it with a thicker flat bar ?
All thoughts very welcome

[Loubaruch]

Mine cracked several years ago, so I just removed the ARB.
Quite honestly for my style of driving on the roads I could not really tell any appreciable difference.
When removing the suspension I welded on stronger brackets but have only just replaced the ARB after 4 years without. Again I could not really tell the difference with it replaced.
No doubt those drivers who use the car competitively may have a different story to tell.

[bobfather]

I removed mine several years ago. The car doesn't need it for road driving. Also vastly reduces the time taken to remove the exhaust

[Paulprior]

Thanks guys, it’s coming off then at least for the short term, don’t want it to break while driving and causing any other damage

[Zener]

No difference on the road now matter how quick you drive, it mounts on the wrong part of the wishbone to be that effective anyway

[Paulprior]

Thanks for the confirmation Zener, it’s off now

Do you need it on for an MOT ?

[bobfather]

Paulprior said:

Do you need it on for an MOT ?

No, it is not part of the test, my MOT man confirmed this when I decided to remove mine. He also said he wouldn't have noticed it missing, many cars have no bar at the rear

[Belle427]

I noticed little difference when removing it, saves on buying crappy drop links too.

[spitfire4v8]

bobfather said:

No, it is not part of the test, my MOT man confirmed this when I decided to remove mine.

Your mot man may need to revise the testers manual. If an arb was fitted at manufacture it needs to be present and correctly mounted for the test.

[Belle427]

Would most testers know these cars had a rear Arb or even remember it had one?
I’m sure one or two would but most not.

[sixor8]

I ran a Chimaera 4.0 with no rear ARB for about 4 months in 2018 when I was experimenting with rear drop links. There was very little difference that I could detect, but I don't do track days or similar.

I was advised to re-fit it for the MoT because the 4 bare threaded studs for the bush clamps make it obvious something is missing.

[Belle427]

sixor8 said:

I ran a Chimaera 4.0 with no rear ARB for about 4 months in 2018 when I was experimenting with rear drop links. There was very little difference that I could detect, but I don't do track days or similar.

I was advised to re-fit it for the MoT because the 4 bare threaded studs for the bush clamps make it obvious something is missing.

In my experience of mot testers though they still wouldn’t notice it
Mine had a habit of not noticing my Cats had been removed.

[sixor8]

It was at Top Gear Automotive in Wolverhampton (Martin has since closed up). He advised refitting it, the MoTs were done next door. No cats were not an issue, but no ARB was, apparently.

Even after he closed, I took my extremely loud Monaro VXR up to the chaps next door for an MoT, who passed it....