anti roll bars

[Rose taupe]

I know this has been covered before but I would like to know the thoughts of those who have fitted them and have they found them worthwhile, some say it gives the car excessive understeer, all I want is to improve cornering without any negative effects.

[don58van]

First, ensure your dampers are working optimally. Check them for operation and change the oil to SAE30 if they don't provide sufficient damping. Many say the latter transforms the handling.
Don

[philthehill]

As above - make sure that your dampers are effective and filled with 30 grade oil.
I had a original V W Derrington 11/16" dia front anti-roll bar on my Minor for many many years. It has now been sold for use on another Minor.
I have upgraded the anti-roll bar to a Own Burton/ESM 3/4" dia item with modified mounts and rose jointed end links.
The anti-roll bar is just one part of a series of comprehensive suspension upgrades to my Minor.
The anti-roll bar is a most important part in keeping the car steady and reducing body roll. The car without the anti-roll bar fitted does not handle as well so proving the point that having the anti-roll bar fitted is of benefit.

Fitting a rear anti-roll bar is a bonus and a Morris Marina rear anti-roll bar can be fitted without too much difficulty.

[Rose taupe]

Thank you for your answer, I forgot to add that my Minor has been fitted with telescopic shock absorbers ( front and back ) and as I have not finished the jobs I need to do on her yet, I still haven't driven any distance so cannot say if I feel it needs an anti-roll bar, but of course, all modern cars are fitted with them so they must be useful.

[don58van]

I still haven't driven any distance so cannot say if I feel it needs an anti-roll bar, but of course, all modern cars are fitted with them so they must be useful.

It is quite reasonable of you to make enquiries about the potential benefits (and disbenefits, if any) of anti-roll bars.
However, IMHO you should wait until you have had extensive driving experience with your Minor before making a decision. I don't feel the need for one on my 2-door saloon. It handles well and does not have excessive roll. But then I don't drive it at race-track speeds. FYI I have had experience racing on sealed and dirt track circuits in (modern) cars and go-carts too. I only mention this to let you know that I am sensitive to vehicle handling characteristics.
Additional food for thought: I think Phil would agree that there is more to making a car handle well that bolting on an accessory. Unless you are lucky, getting the handling characteristics of a car right is a complex matter of suspension tuning. All modern cars have been subject to such tuning with their anti-roll bars factored into that process.
Don

[philthehill]

The fitment of a anti-roll bar should only be considered 'as part' of a front suspension upgrade.
Just fitting a anti-roll bar could make the car handle worse.
Get the basics right before fitting a anti-roll bar.

[svenedin]

I have just returned from Minors on Tour 2024 in the Netherlands (and also into Germany). Many of the other Minors have the ESM type anti-roll bar fitted. My car does not have one and I could easily keep up with the other cars on our drives out. Until I addressed both the front and rear suspension on my car the handling was rather abysmal. This was due to worn out bushes, tired rear leaf springs and ineffective Armstrong lever-acting dampers X4. Refurbishing the front and rear suspension has transformed the handling. I used polyurethane bushes which I am very pleased with (the car feels taught and positive and the ride is not harsh) but they have recently started to creak when they are cold which is a bit irritating.

Stephen

[philthehill]

As regards the creaking poly bushes - fit grease nipples to the 'eye bolts' and spray the other poly bushes with silicon grease.

Eye bolt poly bush.JPG (101.41 KiB) Viewed 1098 times

[Rose taupe]

All of the comments here are sound and I will wait till all the work is finished and I have a few miles under my belt before I decide.