just a quick Q
have bought 2nd hand strut brace for my my96uk car (no instructions)
does it bolt straight onto the bolts at the top of the struts?
is that all i need to do?
any guidance on fitting by novice boy here would help...

many thanks
ads

 

i got one as well mate its a 5 min job if it will fit your year.just take off the nuts put the strut on bolts nuts on top screw down and bobs your uncle

 

thanks cat..but my "bobs" my aunt..lol.

but we dont mention it at family do's...

Ps..i'll get my 2 year old daughter to do it.i cant do the tricky stuff...

ads

 

Better to get her to phone insurance company too.

 

thanks greasemonkey again...
err my daughter wonders if she has to tell them re any little change to dads noisey brum brum?(like scoobecu when santa delivers it)

 

Yes. Any change to your car, whether it affects the power or not, should be notified. The consequences of not doing so (invalid cover) are too serious to risk. Definitely one of those cases where it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

I thought that you had to get ya geometry re done if you put a strut brace on or have i been fcukin lied to by suppliers again [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

Mikey

 

interesting point?

any thoughts before my daughter goes out in the rain to do it?

ads

 

Adding a strut brace won't affect static geometry at all, so a geometry check wouldn't reveal any change.

To be honest, it won't do much to the dynamic geometry either. The effect of these things on the handling of cars in general, and Imprezas in particular is somewhat overblown! Scoobs (even classics) have stiff shells that aren't prone to huge amounts of flex across the front turrets.

Under ideal circumstances you might want to have a geometry check after messing about with the suspension, but someone suggesting you have to do it is well wide of the mark. If your setup was on the money before, it still will be afterwards...

[Edited by greasemonkey - 9/9/2003 6:01:54 PM]

 

Greasemonkey - are you saying you don't think strut braces a worth while then?

I drive a MY00 and have been thinking about buying one for a while, this may have been fuelled by bugeye owners blathering on about how their cars are nearly 3 times as stiff as the classic.

I have never really convinced myself that they are a worth while mod especially when you take into account the worry of increased damage in a side impact. Saying that I do spend quite a lot of time in the for sale section looking for one.

 

Yes, I'm basically saying that they're a waste of money. If the chassis possesses sufficient lateral stiffness that it doesn't flex under normal usage, the strut brace isn't going to make it any better is it?

Personally I'd look at spending my hard earned on something that would do more than just raise your car's centre of gravity a tad!

As for your new age pals, it's supposedly 2.5 times stiffer, not three, and as mentioned, if the old chassis was already stiff enough, going still further isn't going to do much bar increase its ability to protect you in "unusual" circumstances (not that this is an unworthy aim).

Also don't forget that the penalty for this extra stiffness in the new cars is something like 160kg extra weight and a higher c of g...

 

GM i have to dissagree with you, when i replaced my engine on my 93WRX the feel of the steering felt very vague afterwards... Turn in felt different and not quite as sharp...
When i got back to my garage i spotted my strut brace sitting on the shelf, after refitting my car was back to it old self again.

Rob

 

New Boy, be sure not to over tighten the nuts after fitting the strut brace, the top mount bolts are prone to shearing off if over tightened.

Rob

 

Placebo effect Rob?

 

Thanks Greasemonkey.

 

The best mod on the WRX is to get the steering geometrey set up. TSl at just South of Nottingham or Power Station at Cheltenham especially if you want some - camber. Strut Braces. Look nice and add weight.