Strut Brace advice!

[Andyboy]

I fitted a gold plated glovebox support to one of mine - I found the standard glovebox hinge compromised structural rigidity in that area and it was costing me time, man.

[Demlotcrew]

Time is money Andy! Its also something you cant ever get back

[Cypriotgeeza]

So I decided on the GCFabrications strut brace but Im having some problems fitting it

The first problem was the clutch reservoir being in the way so I relocated it.


Then I tried to fit the strut brace and this is what I'm left with



One side will fit fine and the other side looks too short!

Now someone tell me if I'm being stupid or if I'm going insane please lol

Is the strut brace the wrong size?

Has the turrets moved apart from age?

Anyone else had this problem before?

[Motorhole]

Possible the latter.

Raise one wheel - put the side that seems short on a kerb or jack up at that side and sit it on a ramp or block or something. May move the turrets enough to get the clearance you need.

[Cypriotgeeza]

Possible the latter.

Raise one wheel - put the side that seems short on a kerb or jack up at that side and sit it on a ramp or block or something. May move the turrets enough to get the clearance you need.

Funnily enough I did try this to no avail..

Thinking i might file out the hole on the strut brace a bit even though i really dont want to

[Demlotcrew]

Push hard in to the centre of the brace?

I don't know it's shape exactly, but unless it's a straight tube you should be able to give it a bit of a load and slip the ends over.

[ACJJ619]

Strut braces in general I think are overrated. People seem to think they're an 'essential upgrade' but unless you get a proper one and have already given yourself a decent suspension setup, you ain't gonna feel the benefits and even then you'll only notice when you're right on the limit. It's like these K&N filters that people claim to feel a power benefit from - most of the time it's just placebo. People are scared to admit they don't feel a difference.

Spend your money on a Gucci anti-roll bar first for real benefits.

[Blitz]

It's makes a difference on a convertible.

[Cypriotgeeza]

Push hard in to the centre of the brace?

I don't know it's shape exactly, but unless it's a straight tube you should be able to give it a bit of a load and slip the ends over.

This is the one I bought..i doubt there will be any flex there lol



Also another thing i noticed is how little thread there is to screw it down (Even with the washers on top)

[Demlotcrew]

Yes thats not going to flex much, if you try and press that hard on to the studs, they will drop out the top mount.

I would be tempted to jack one side on the front really high and try to get it on that way, but looking at the design of the brace, its designed for aftermarket top mounts which have much longer fasteners.

[Cypriotgeeza]

Yes thats not going to flex much, if you try and press that hard on to the studs, they will drop out the top mount.

I would be tempted to jack one side on the front really high and try to get it on that way, but looking at the design of the brace, its designed for aftermarket top mounts which have much longer fasteners.

My thoughts exactly..i was going to get thinner washers for it but then realised i couldnt even get it on in the first place lol

I may have another go at it again over the weekend

[Motorhole]

Car...park next to sturdy wall...block of wood against the turret and a bottle jack....

P.S. This is NOT to be taken seriously...I accept no responsibility for any consequences incurred

[Cypriotgeeza]

Car...park next to sturdy wall...block of wood against the turret and a bottle jack....

P.S. This is NOT to be taken seriously...I accept no responsibility for any consequences incurred

I don't want it on that badly mate!

[ACJJ619]

Push hard in to the centre of the brace?

I don't know it's shape exactly, but unless it's a straight tube you should be able to give it a bit of a load and slip the ends over.

If you're able to bend the strut brace by just pushing on it, how much stiffening can it really be doing?

[hennabm]

When I fitted mine it was a tight fit but that's what I expected. It was a case of putting it half on to the studs one side and then the other and using the nuts to wind it down into position.

It was certainly a struggle to get it to fit.

[DanThe]

Strut braces in general I think are overrated. People seem to think they're an 'essential upgrade' but unless you get a proper one and have already given yourself a decent suspension setup, you ain't gonna feel the benefits and even then you'll only notice when you're right on the limit. It's like these K&N filters that people claim to feel a power benefit from - most of the time it's just placebo. People are scared to admit they don't feel a difference.

Spend your money on a Gucci anti-roll bar first for real benefits.

A cabriolet needs all the strengthening help it can get as it came out of the factory with the most important part missing!

That bar looks to be a close copy of the Sparco M3 which is one of the better strut brace designs, there is no doubt your front struts have gone floppy in their old age so fitting the bar will be well worth the effort

I wouldn't file the holes out, they are big enough as it is

[Brianmoooore]

When I fitted mine it was a tight fit but that's what I expected. It was a case of putting it half on to the studs one side and then the other and using the nuts to wind it down into position.

It was certainly a struggle to get it to fit.

Get your fuses sorted out, while you still have a car to fit a brace to!!
The answer to a blown fuse is not to fit a bigger one!

[hennabm]

As they came and probably as it will go. No ill affects ever over the 8+ years of ownership.

[Demlotcrew]

Push hard in to the centre of the brace?

I don't know it's shape exactly, but unless it's a straight tube you should be able to give it a bit of a load and slip the ends over.

If you're able to bend the strut brace by just pushing on it, how much stiffening can it really be doing?

The brace is very very close, a last little press should be all thats needed. That section is is very long and no mater what type of metal, unless its very thick walled or solid bar it would still give.

[Andyboy]

I have an Ultra Racing front brace on my 318iS track car (E36) and nothing on the back. I might fit a rear one if a) I can be arsed and b) one comes up for next to nothing, otherwise bollocks to it. I need to rebush the rear axle over the winter before that even gets thought about.

I've just bought a Z3/ E36 Convertible front under brace, the one that bolts to the front crossmember and then to the front chassis legs. It was only a tenner and looks like a bolt on job. Having driven a Z3 with this brace missing, I can confirm they do a hell of a lot.

[Cypriotgeeza]

Push hard in to the centre of the brace?

I don't know it's shape exactly, but unless it's a straight tube you should be able to give it a bit of a load and slip the ends over.

If you're able to bend the strut brace by just pushing on it, how much stiffening can it really be doing?

The brace is very very close, a last little press should be all thats needed. That section is is very long and no mater what type of metal, unless its very thick walled or solid bar it would still give.

I will be giving this another go today so i will let you guys know how i get on

[Brianmoooore]

As they came and probably as it will go. No ill affects ever over the 8+ years of ownership.

I know what you mean! I've been paying for fire insurance on my house every year for thirty years, and it hasn't burnt down even once.

[pacerpete]

As they came and probably as it will go. No ill affects ever over the 8+ years of ownership.

I know what you mean! I've been paying for fire insurance on my house every year for thirty years, and it hasn't burnt down even once.

Brian, you need to move to Wales

[kundiboy]

Ultra racing Strut brace £94.86


Hmmm...

That picture is of the ultra one fitted to my car. It works better than the sparco jointed one. Not had any problems with the slotted holes. Got mine from Neil at auto Mac a couple of years ago and sent him that picture to show how well it fitted around the cf airbox. Since then most eBay sellers are using the picture.

[ross_jsy]

I need to get a decent one on the front of my car. The one that came with the car is an eBay special and you can wiggle it up and down an inch in the middle

[Cypriotgeeza]

Well Im pleased to announce that after a lot of Swearing, Sweating, jacking, and pulling i finally managed to get it to fit! Also fitted the new wiring cover I bought from Mick

Much cleaner engine bay now!






I fitted my borbets (Not everyone's cup of Tea but I love them ) and went for a drive:



and I can confirm it has tightened the steering up BIGTIME!! It feels so much more responsive, I'm pretty certain the low profile +16's helped also as i have been driving around with the 14inch BBS with the balloon tyres since i did the conversion
I can't wait to get the Clubsport rack on their now

Thanks for everyones input!

[Partridge]

When I fitted mine it was a tight fit but that's what I expected. It was a case of putting it half on to the studs one side and then the other and using the nuts to wind it down into position.

It was certainly a struggle to get it to fit.

The alloy variety are easy to fit as they are so flexible

and nice power loss device you've bolted onto your airflow meter

[ACJJ619]

The alloy variety are easy to fit as they are so flexible

I just don't understand why you'd want a stiffening device to be flexible. That just isn't logical.

[tomson]

The alloy variety are easy to fit as they are so flexible

I just don't understand why you'd want a stiffening device to be flexible. That just isn't logical.

The alloy 'Hartge' type as in the photo you are commenting on most definitely are NOT flexible. I've fitted/removed plenty of different types of E30 & E36 strut braces and the Sparco/Hartge style ones are definitely the best...

[bss325i]

OT, you got a white M3 now Tomson?

[pacerpete]

OT, you got a white M3 now Tomson?

Have you seen his prices ? The loaded executive c0000nt had BMW build him a new one !

[tomson]

Yes Barry, had her about 2.5yrs now.

Haha Pete, show me a taxed and tested 325i for £300 and I'll show you cheap parts!

[pacerpete]

Yes Barry, had her about 2.5yrs now.

Haha Pete, show me a taxed and tested 325i for £300 and I'll show you cheap parts!

F0000k cheap parts ! gouge the c0000nts !

[tomson]

Yes Barry, had her about 2.5yrs now.

Haha Pete, show me a taxed and tested 325i for £300 and I'll show you cheap parts!

F0000k cheap parts ! gouge the c0000nts !

[SteveC]

Push hard in to the centre of the brace?

I don't know it's shape exactly, but unless it's a straight tube you should be able to give it a bit of a load and slip the ends over.

This is the one I bought..i doubt there will be any flex there lol



Also another thing i noticed is how little thread there is to screw it down (Even with the washers on top)

Got the same brace for my M40 engined cab, had the same fitting problems as Mr Geeza, then when I finally got it on found it touches the top of the engine. It clears the engine with the spacers in, but as my top mounts are OEM there isn't enough thread on the bolt to be happy. Plus I think it needs more than the 4mm or so clearance? Doesn't seem enough when the engine is running.

Can anyone advise if there's a brace that's a better fit for an M40? Otherwise I guess I will need longer bolts and thicker spacers...

Waiting for the comments about not going fast enough in a 318i to need a strut brace, but it is a cabby and seems worthwhile!

Cheers. Steve