RB5Caterham

An easy mod to fit? or better left to the experts?

Any pointers or pic would be very much appreciated it....

Non-DIY person me!

RB5Caterham

Pretty please??? Anyone??

ozzy

absolutely no idea.

Are we talking a upper strut brace from the top of the rear struts?

If so, I think John Felstead did a thread on fitting one ages ago (I mean a few years). Maybe worth doing a search.

Stefan

RB5Caterham

Hi Ozzy

Yes the rear upper brace. Had a look in the back and cant even see the strut tops so probably not too easy thing to fit.

I did try a search but nothing much came up.

Thanks for replying.

PS. One of the first places I went was your website, its alway been very helpful.

ozzy

Problem is I don't think Search goes back far enough. I tried searching for John's thread, but had no luck.

Is this any use?

Removing the rear seats is easy enough, but I guess the tricky part is the lack of room behind the seatbelt tensioner.

Stefan

RB5Caterham

Eeeek..............yes that very good thank you for looking.

Think I might leave this one to a garage.

Thanks again Ozzy, will add that site to my favourites.

ozzy

don't be a big girl's blouse

pity I can't find that thread from John. Worth checking over on the 22b BBS just in case he posted it there.

Stefan

RB5Caterham

I'll be wearing a girls blouse when the wife finds out I cant put the bloody rear seat back !!

hillywrc

is it easy to fit a front one to u have to adjust anythin

harvey

iTrader: (48)

Fitting a front strut brace is one of the easiest DIY jobs on the car. With the car sitting on the ground normally you remove the three top strut turret nuts and fit the strut brace over the top and torque down evenly. Repeat the same process on the other side.
Do not move the car in any way while you have the turret nuts undone.
In my personal experience you are unlikely to notice any gains from this mod and your money may be better spent elsewhere.

harvey

iTrader: (48)

Sorry: Rear Strut Brace. Not fitted a rear to a saloon but on wagons it involves cutting the hard plastic trim.

Gidney&Knowlesy

Personally knowing your background..... I'm surprised you've even asked the question

RB5Caterham

Hee hee mate that did make me laugh, you know me way to well.

A few people have tried to convince me that I can do it, so just wanted to gauge how easy it was, which it appears not to be

Dont worry I know a man who does and will be in touch as soon as my rear lights arrive in the next week or so. Hope he wont mind helping me?? As well as cash I might even throw in some biccies.

ozzy

If you think removing and refitting the seats is hard, I wouldn't bother. I wonder how you manage to dress yourself in the morning

RB5Caterham

LOL at Ozzy. Its my hands you see mate, too soft for all this sweat and grease stuff, far too many times washing up!!

I did fit me own STI pedals, panel filter, crystal fronts etc so give me some credit.....even painted me own wedges !!

ozzy

Good effort m8

highlander

Fitting the rear strut brace is a doddle! Assuming that removing the back seat is not considered a big job!

From then on you simply have to remove (usually 2 but sometimes all three) of the retaining nuts for the damper depending on which strut brace you have). Fit the two heads of the strut brace - the connecting rod between them is then connected from inside the boot and Robert is your mother's brother!!

Not forgetting of course to tighten the retaining nuts again prior to putting the seat back in.

I did it yesterday and the whole job took around 20 minutes!

highlander

Should have said that I agree with Harvey regarding the benefits of the front strut brace. However I do notice a difference when a Rear strut brace is fitted - definitely more stable at the rear. However all these things are personal preference and what suits one driver may not suit another.

I have fitted one to a modded MY93 and now to my MY99 STi 5 Type R and even on the Type R which I guess is supposed to be a slightly stiffer shell the Rear Strut Brace has made a noticeable difference.