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Hot Rods Antiroll bar arm lenght

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by willymakeit, Oct 6, 2025 at 11:28 AM.

  1. willymakeit
    Joined: Apr 13, 2009
    Posts: 1,337

    willymakeit
    Member

    Building a 27 t on an A frame but want to add antiroll bars front and rear.
    What or how do you figure out arm length needed on torsion type roll bars.
    Will be transverse in front with coilovers in rear
    Thanks in advance
     
  2. FrozenMerc
    Joined: Sep 4, 2009
    Posts: 3,376

    FrozenMerc
    Member

    We need pictures and a bunch more information and details for what you are trying to accomplish. Arm length will be dictated by component clearances and motion ratios of the suspension geometry. The longer the torsion bar, the lower the spring rate per degree of rotation.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2025 at 12:45 PM
  3. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,030

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Assuming a fully boxed rail set.
     
    jet996 likes this.
  4. JD Miller
    Joined: Nov 12, 2011
    Posts: 2,636

    JD Miller
    Member

    sway bar or roll bar? :confused:
     
  5. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,521

    alchemy
    Member

    Don’t you get the arm length to fit the situation, and adjust the strength of the unit by changing the diameter of the bar?
     
    Happydaze and 19Eddy30 like this.
  6. 05snopro440
    Joined: Mar 15, 2011
    Posts: 2,948

    05snopro440
    Member

    Arm length changes the leverage, which changes the roll characteristics. So you can have more or less response from the bar depending on your arm length.
     
    alchemy likes this.
  7. Mimilan
    Joined: Jun 13, 2019
    Posts: 1,249

    Mimilan
    Member

    There is a lot of math involved to calculate roll stiffness.
    You need the roll centre, and CGH to calculate weight transfer at a particular lateral acceleration
    This becomes "overturning moment" which equals bodyroll angle.

    For the ARB there is motion ratios involved [eg: how far inboard/outboard the arms insert] and then the arm length , ARB length and diameter.

    If you are "semi" mathematically challenged you can fix one end of the ARB and jack the other using scales.
    Then try different pivot points on the arm.
    You can also do this with 4 x jack stands on the frame and a jack/scale under a front wheel

    Understand if the front ARB [or total front roll stiffness] is too stiff you will get understeer or pushing
    The stiffest end always slides out first.

    Now the big question ???? Is this for racing or street comfort?
    Because these handling characteristics only happen at the limit of tyre adhesion [one end will "let go" first]

    If it is for a street cruiser you can safely go soft in the suspension and stiff in the ARB to keep the car level
    But if you go too stiff you will convert the suspension to a giant "mono" [or swing arm] with no compliance.
    Or the frame will flex instead

    I know of many examples of cars having stiffer front suspension and the driver "feels" the improvement. But put it on the track and the lap times were a lot slower.
     
    19Eddy30 likes this.
  8. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,030

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    My first thought on the Model A frame.
    But the OP needs to clarify if he plans on using a true "torsion" bar.
     
  9. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,030

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

  10. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,733

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    My self on the 32 sedan I need to add a
    Torsion bar or Sway bar on Rear ,
    On my pass A's & 32s all built same way no issue , but this 32 sedan built same way , has alot of body roll in rear ,
    I am thinking it is because so much heaver from B pilar rearward ..
    So with is a better One over the other
    For Body Roll , Normal driving .
    Torsion or Sway ,, car sit's low
    With 2 inch rake .. Triangler 4 bar
    I have changed coils , set up now with
    200 .
     

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