WEVO Rear Anti-Rollbar Console Install

[Gordo2]

A few other posts on this same project, "there are many like it, but this one is mine..."

Upgrading my rear sway bars to Tarett's, so I figured I would upgrade the mounts to ensure I don't have to readdress the project in the future.

I started by cutting away the undercoating around the old mount so I could see exactly where the welds were/focus my cutting effort. Once I had the goop cleared, I found that the original mount is welded only along a portion of the sides and behind the bolt holes in the mount. I hit it with an angle grinder, being careful not to cut into the chassis.

I started by cutting off the lower portion of the mount that hangs below the chassis. This revealed a gap between the chassis and the mount which I bent open further with a cold chisel and hammer. I continued to pound the mount away with the chisel; this allowed me to peal back most of the mount, grinding only where the weld really held. As I pealed more back, I latched onto it with a vice grips and broke off the mount in sections. It was no doubt a PITA, but it came away pretty clean:



The remains of the old, next to the new:



I guarantee, I won't be pealing away the RARB if it ever needs to come off.

My reference/instructions for the project:

Another great WEVO product: rear swaybar mounts

Gung Ho!

Gordo

[TT Oversteer]

Nice work. I will be doing the same once I finish my poly bronze installation and put everything back together. I may mock everything up with the Tarrett bar in place and the rear suspension in its normal loaded state then apply a couple of tack welds with my el cheapo harbor freight mig welder. Then disassemble everything and drive over to the welding shop where I can have a pro lay some real nice beads down for me. What are you going to do for corrosion protection on the back side of those wevo's? Someone mentioned "weld through primer" but I haven't investigated that one yet........ Please post pics of the finished job!

[Gordo2]

Originally Posted by TT Oversteer

What are you going to do for corrosion protection on the back side of those wevo's? Someone mentioned "weld through primer" but I haven't investigated that one yet........ Please post pics of the finished job!

I don't know. I had the same concern with the support plate that I welded into the front wheel well as reinforcement for installation of the Tarett, through body, front sway bar. Best I could come up with was to prime both surfaces, grind in the areas to be welded and then cover the weld/seam up with a good seam sealer. I'm sure any primer near the weld burned off as I welded, but what can you do?

Gordo

[Gordo2]

Got some time today to continue with the install.

I cleaned up the chassis surface with an angle grinder, to remove old welds and remove paint in areas I would be welding. Once I had the mounting surface prepared, I mounted the RARBs to the sway bar and positioned them in place:



I was very impressed with how well they fit the contour of the chassis - no gaps to try to weld:



Once positioned, I tack welded the RARBs in place:



Then removed the sway bar mounts (for a little easier access to the mounts), and completed the welds:



The old mounts were not welded on the top portion of the bracket. I couldn't get the welder in position to weld across the top either. Not concerned though; the RARBs are by far more durable, and have a lot more of the joining surface area welded to the chassis than what I found with the stock mount brackets.

Good stuff...

Gordo

[Larry_Ratcliff]

It will be a while before I am working on my suspension. This will make a nice reference thread for when I do my sway bar on the rear.

[Gordo2]

Back on the corrosion prevention topic brought up by TT.

Once I had the mounts welded in place, I sprayed them with a good quality primer.

I then applied Eastwood's Brush on Seam Sealer. If you use seam sealer, check the instructions - some recommend applying directly to metal, some apply after primer application.





I then top coated (to seal) everything with an off the shelf paint that kind of matched the car's color (close enough for me - no one will know the difference once its all dirty again ).



I will let you know if this did the trick for corrosion protection in 20 years or so (hopefully)

Gordo

[TT Oversteer]

Gordo, that looks like it's very well protected from any corrosion threats. From your pictures it looks like you did the mock up with trailing arms and spring plates removed. How did you assure proper alignment? Did you use the trans mount for centering reference or was the suspension in place for alignment of the mounts then later removed for access? At any rate I guess the drop links allow for plenty of variation in the final mounting position. What type of welder do you have?

[Gordo2]

TT,

Outside of getting the mounts and the bar in a good position (so it doesn't interfere with the trans mount or any other obstacles), I don't think there is anything else to consider when mounting (alignment with the trailing arms is adjustable with the links as you mentioned).

I mounted the RARBs in about the same position as the original mounts; mock up to ensure I had clearance from the transmission.

I have a lightweight/cheap Cambell-Hausfeld (Versa Arc-95) 110v welder. I used flux wire (which made some splatter) - may not look as good as a pro, but I'm confident it will hold just as well.

Here's the done deal: