Strut braces.

jackoh · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:26

A simple one really.

Do strut braces actually serve a purpose in crap cars?

great advice · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:28

Yes, even on a naff car they will have an effect. It might only be small but for the price its usually worth it. Not if your car isnt going to see twisties though.

Sam · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:29

IMO it depends on the car

A few people have tryed them on the FRP and they have said they felt a negative effect. I meen if a £30 bit of metal can improve the handling then why dosent every car have one as standard ?

Think its more for looks in most cars really

Sam

moss · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:30

I had one on a previous car, i put it on pretty much when I bought it though, so I never did know if it made much difference. A friend of mine said he could tell the difference when he took his off his car though.

Enfield · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:30

£30, get out of it! More like £60!

Firestar_3x · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:31

Makes a big diff on the MX so i've heard tis my next upgrade

jackoh · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:32

I guess its just a quick fix for awful suspension setups? can see why it would have a negative effect on something thats already been designed to belt it round tracks etc

Simon · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:33

Crapper cars probably feel the benefit more as they are likely to flex more.

It will improve chassis strength however it can increase skittish behaviour, not ideal on a car that is already quite stiff (FRP maybe?)

penski · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:33

Depending on their use, spec and fitment, they can have a detrimental effect. Remember that a strut brace transfers suspension loading to the opposite tower...

*n

Firestar_3x · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:34

Simon said:
Crapper cars probably feel the benefit more as they are likely to flex more.

Or something with no roof

Scuzi · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:35

I've been considering one of these for my motor. How exactly do they improve handling? What do they do? For £60 I suppose it's worth a shot.
Is it worth it on my car, Toledo 20VT?

Simon · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:36

Firestar_3x said:
Or something with no roof

Sorry didn't mean it to sound like that, that was aimed for the OP really

The integra Type Rs, Mr2 turbos, Corolla T sports and R19 16v are just a few that come with them as standard. So OEMs do fit them.

Lashout_UK · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:36

Depends where your turrets are and how good the car is to begin with. I hear lots of racers have actually ditched theirs, due to little effect.

Also, if your turrets are near the bulkhead, you'll get little improvement anyway - it's only really useful in cars like mine, where the turrets are quite a way forwards and can be prone to flexing.

Enfield · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:36

Scuzi said:
I've been considering one of these for my motor. How exactly do they improve handling? What do they do? For £60 I suppose it's worth a shot.
Is it worth it on my car, Toledo 20VT?

Only if you push your car seriously hard around corners...

Sam · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:38

Simon said:
Sorry didn't mean it to sound like that, that was aimed for the OP really

The integra Type Rs, Mr2 turbos, Corolla T sports and R19 16v are just a few that come with them as standard. So OEMs do fit them.

The M3 comes with one as standard i belive

Sam

Simon · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:39

Sam said:
The M3 comes with one as standard i belive

Sam

Yeah I was hardly going to sit her typing every car ever fitted with a strut brace at the factory

Enfield · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:40

What strut brace are we talking about anyway? I'm assuming its the upper front?

What affect do the lower ones have and the upper rear?

Simon · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:41

Enfield said:
What strut brace are we talking about anyway? I'm assuming its the upper front?

What affect do the lower ones have and the upper rear?

All really, Integra type Rs have an upper and lower rear and also a tie bar within the main front subframe.

They all do the same really, reduce flex allowing the suspension to work better.

[huzeeee] · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:42

They basically make ** sus turrets more ridid, so i spose a more positive car to drive

penski · 20 Mar 2006 at 23:43

They reduce flex of the strut towers relevant to each other, giving a more 'stable' suspension platform.

There is also an element whereby the force on one side will get transferred to the opposite side, meaning that in extreme cases, there will be an adverse effect on handling.

Not really required in a FWD car...

*n