View Full Version : Roll bar question
runamuk
11-04-2022, 11:04 AM
I'm mounting my roll bar and do not want to drill the hole in the third leg to install the Frankenstein bolt. I've decided on going with the system that 520speedworks has come up with. I do have a question though, who has decided to not install any bolt or do anything to the third leg other than install the lower bolt?
It appears that drilling a hole and installing three bolts to secure all three posts would be sufficient to hold the bars together, you could install the third leg with a .010 gap so that it doesn't work and cause the chrome to flake off or squeak.
Blitzboy54
11-04-2022, 11:54 AM
I'm mounting my roll bar and do not want to drill the hole in the third leg to install the Frankenstein bolt. I've decided on going with the system that 520speedworks has come up with. I do have a question though, who has decided to not install any bolt or do anything to the third leg other than install the lower bolt?
It appears that drilling a hole and installing three bolts to secure all three posts would be sufficient to hold the bars together, you could install the third leg with a .010 gap so that it doesn't work and cause the chrome to flake off or squeak.
I did that. Clearly the sleeve is long enough to hold it without the Frankenstein bolt. I had already drilled my base and wasn't sure how the rotation of the 520 system would work and my hole would line up so I left it out. HOWEVER, what I ran into was a content annoying rattle. What I ultimately ended up doing was what John Ibele did in his build. (post #212)
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?27168-John%92s-Mk4-Build-Thread-Body-cutouts-and-undercoater-prep/page6
This eliminated the minor movement and it is dead quiet now. I put a touch of POR 15 on the reassessed screw and put lock tight on the threads.
I would not go without some mechanical connection. If the car flips and is sliding on the rollbar, it can easily separate and collapse. I have the original Tangent wedge lock system, which is what 520 Speedworks offers. At the time I'd bought mine from Tangent, they had some great engineering data on the product that showed its effectiveness at preventing separation at the joint under forces associated with the scenario I described above.
If you think the bars won't come apart ...
https://youtu.be/OH9YC78cBt4
yahrt
11-04-2022, 04:00 PM
I drilled and tapped both sides, and used chrome button head bolts, it blends in well
ggunter
11-04-2022, 04:18 PM
Do you think one bolt will deter form the looks of your car?.......I don't get it.
I am terrified of being rear-ended by someone who drives the rollbar into my head.
If you think the bars won't come apart ...
https://youtu.be/OH9YC78cBt4
runamuk
11-06-2022, 10:03 AM
I drilled and tapped both sides, and used chrome button head bolts, it blends in well
That sounds like a very simple solution that I'm sure also looks good.