Front strut brace?

[Nigel]

I'm considering fitting a front strut brace and wondered what
the collective thoughts are on this.

I know my car flexes quite a lot but in the longitudinal plane, i.e. the
doors go out of alignment when raised at the front.

What is not so obvious is the flex from side to side.

Do you think, as a stand-alone mod, I'd feel the difference?
Or should this addition be complimented with other add-ons?

Nigel

[WestonE]

Hi Nigel

See Ian's (squiggly wiggly) Mods for where to add strength. I went for a front strut brace as fundamental to having good handling with my mods. To work it need to be tight in installation or it is just decor. This means have adjustment. Welded tabs on the strut faces with left and right rose joints to a strong tube is the most basic and avoids working out new strut top fixings. I have MK 2 Escort adjustable top mounts so I made top plate fixings for 8mm cap head bolts. The bar itself is simply buy an OMP universal item with the joints on each end and make your mounts to suit.

Eric   

[peteracs]

Oddly enough as an experiment I bought a second hand strut brace for a Subaru Impreza which arrived today. Reason was it was cheap and has a central tensioner similar to the OMP. Not particularly pretty, but very cheap so hacking it about is not a problem, just wish I had a welder…..

Peter

[Nigel]

Thanks Eric,
I've seen what Ian's doing, especially his rear strut work.
Ultimately I'd like to install tubes within the sills. This is a task
that will wait until I have an under-cover work space.

Peter, a timely coincidence for sure. Others will probably agree that welding is largely
a self-taught activity, once the basics are understood. Get a machine, you won't regret it.

Nigel