Fitting a strutbrace - a little help

Nedved11 · 3 Nov 2006 at 13:55

Just received my Strutbrace from Strutbracer for my Xsara VTS and just want to double check about fitment.

Now I have been told there is a special way to actually put this on and not just bolting it on just like that.

Is it something like this:

Undo turret nuts while car is on the ground and screw the strutbrace in place not too tight.
Jack car up and then torque up the nuts and lower the car.

Is that the right way or am i totally off?

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers

agw_01 · 3 Nov 2006 at 14:06

Chances are, it won't just drop onto the top of the struts.

When I fitted my rear, I had to make 3 of the holes slightly bigger with a file... but I know other people who can drop them straight on.

All down to the tracking of the car.

I'd say there's no need to jack the car up, especially as the wheel camber changes when the car isn't resting on the suspension.

Nedved11 · 3 Nov 2006 at 15:41

This strutbrace has got an adjustable bit on one side so you can get pretty close to the turrets see pic here

Have to make sure not to over tighten that though but i need to get the tracking done anyway as I will be replacing the track rod ends also...

Enfield · 3 Nov 2006 at 15:57

Did it not come with the instructions?

Nedved11 · 3 Nov 2006 at 16:19

Nope didn't come with any instructions. Maybe I'm just a little paranoid about screwing it up by not doing it the correct way

Should be a pretty simple job to do.

ShakenNstirred · 3 Nov 2006 at 19:51

takes all of 5mins to fit, if the holes all line up.
mine were a little out so needed a file

Zuma · 3 Nov 2006 at 20:34

i think the reason behind jacking the car up, is that when the car is resting on the suspension, the strut mounts will be pushed in slightly.
this is what the strut brace is trying to resist.
so for the brace to have maximum effect it's best to bolt it on when the bodyshell is not under loading. then when you load up the suspensoin again you the brace will be taking more of the load.

maybe the bolt holes will line up better with the car jacked up?

Nedved11 · 5 Nov 2006 at 23:55

Was going to do it this weekend but just never had the time. Don't think i will bother jacking it up. Will line it up with the turret nuts and do it that way. The adjuster is designed in such a way that I don’t think you can pull the suspension turrets in or out, the locking nuts prevent that. Cheers for the advice

penski · 6 Nov 2006 at 00:06

agw_01 said:
When I fitted my rear, I had to make 3 of the holes slightly bigger with a file... but I know other people who can drop them straight on.

All down to the tracking of the car.

Or whether it's had a slight knock

I saw a series 2 216 the other day, nose to the ground and the bonnet pushed up where the strut tops had rotted through. Poor wee thing - it looked really depressed.

*n