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View Full Version : Making your own rear strut brace ?



LEWI007
04-10-09, 07:49 PM
Anybody done it ? a BOLT in one not a weld in one.

thinking about making my own and would like to see how others did it.

AlexW
04-10-09, 08:11 PM
Not worth it, Hence why people have never done one

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:13 PM
Ive seen people who have made weld in ones, and ive seen a couple of bolt in ones.

just might not be as popular as buying them.

saloonwoody
04-10-09, 08:14 PM
bit of tube and a welder ?

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:17 PM
want to make a bolt in one, thinking about crushing the ends down so its flat and drilling holes then bolting it to the tops of the struts.

gunny
04-10-09, 08:17 PM
Not worth it, Hence why people have never done one

:confused:

Plenty of people make their own...


...steel tube + welder = rear strut brace

burgo
04-10-09, 08:18 PM
AW06 you fail

gunny
04-10-09, 08:19 PM
want to make a bolt in one, thinking about crushing the ends down so its flat and drilling holes then bolting it to the tops of the struts.

Thats one way, i would personally weld 2 bits of tube to either and bolt it to the strut tops like that.

MK999
04-10-09, 08:20 PM
Weld in one is easy enough, I guess bolt in would just be a case of putting some shaped plates on either end? Why the extra hassle for a bolt in one though?


Thats one way, i would personally weld 2 bits of tube to either and bolt it to the strut tops like that.

No, no, no and no lol Won't do very much at all attached to the strut tops, plus he might be tempted to attach harnesses to it then, and that's just cringeworthy.

Mike
04-10-09, 08:22 PM
Weld in everytime.

Check my sig...

gunny
04-10-09, 08:25 PM
No, no, no and no lol Won't do very much at all attached to the strut tops, plus he might be tempted to attach harnesses to it then, and that's just cringeworthy.

Depends don't it lol on what you want that is. Im going to say it :roll: surely people would have the sense NOT to strap harnesses to that type of brace lol

I agree a weld in brace is better, but from what he's saying, he wants one that bolts to the strut tops...

MK999
04-10-09, 08:27 PM
Missed my point, bolting to strut tops = fail, bolting to the shell around the dampers = acceptable, welding the fecker in = win :thumb:

gunny
04-10-09, 08:30 PM
Meh

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:30 PM
Havent got a welder anymore :(

want to put harnesses on it lol

bit like this, WHY is it a bad idea ?
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l10/m477hew_2006/Colt/Colt006-2.jpg

MK999
04-10-09, 08:32 PM
That's bolted to the shell, which braces between the suspension turrets, which is fine, thought Gunny meant one which use the top damper nut to hold the down.

Mike
04-10-09, 08:32 PM
Omfg^^^^! That battery box is pap!!

Apparently, in a 30mph head on crash your body weight is doubled. You think some tiny 15mm bolts are gonna hold all that multiplied weight when the harnesses pull tight....whoever owns that french mobile needs a slap TBH.

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:34 PM
Hmm, on nova rear struts you only have 1 nut so i think its unsafe to put harnesses onto a strut brace held on by the tops of the back shocks, they might snap off if you crash and go through the window....ffs

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:35 PM
@Mike - i was thinking same, propably best bet to weld one innit lol

gunny
04-10-09, 08:35 PM
That's bolted to the shell, which braces between the suspension turrets, which is fine, thought Gunny meant one which use the top damper nut to hold the down.

Thats what i though k reg nova was on about. I know that method is cack, and no good for harnesses what so ever...

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:37 PM
but if i weld one in, do all harnesses come when i can wrap them around the brace, or i will i have to wrap them around the brace before it gets welded in...

Mike
04-10-09, 08:37 PM
but if i weld one in, do all harnesses come when i can wrap them around the brace, or i will i have to wrap them around the brace before it gets welded in...

Attach the harness afterwards chap. If you know how you can get any harness to strap to a strut brace if its double looped.

Failing that you can buy specific types of harness that come apart, so to speak, to strap to cages/braces.

gunny
04-10-09, 08:38 PM
but if i weld one in, do all harnesses come when i can wrap them around the brace, or i will i have to wrap them around the brace before it gets welded in...

Look at the pic you posted, you un-thread the harness through the tensioning thingy, wrap it round your brace and re-do it. :thumb:

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:38 PM
Ahh ok, guess ill be getting some pipe and a welder from somewhere, and following your guide then :D

burgo
04-10-09, 08:39 PM
i wouldnt trust that one ^^^ on your head be it if you wanna trust it

Mike
04-10-09, 08:39 PM
Ahh ok, guess ill be getting some pipe and a welder from somewhere, and following your guide then :D

Its piece of pish & takes about 20 minutes. Dont even entertain a 20mm OD x 1mm thin wall gass pipe either...

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:40 PM
scaffy bar ftw ?

MK999
04-10-09, 08:40 PM
Thats what i though k reg nova was on about. I know that method is cack, and no good for harnesses what so ever...

I'm not sure who means what or whether we're talking about a strut brace harness bar or both any more lol


scaffy bar ftw ?

CDS for proper job, got mine from merlin motorsport.

Mike
04-10-09, 08:41 PM
scaffy bar ftw ?

5mm wall? Dont be silly, you try an cut the stuff acuratly!

I use FIA/MSA compliant seamless tube. 1m is more then enough.

gunny
04-10-09, 08:41 PM
I'm not sure who means what or whether we're talking about a strut brace harness bar or both any more lol

Feck knows lol


Hi, im gunny :thumb:

MK999
04-10-09, 08:42 PM
Feck knows lol


Hi, im gunny :thumb:

Hi Gunny, think you're up to making me a front lower rear harness strut with weld bolt in setup?

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:43 PM
What is the difference between strut top brace and weld in brace, i know the weld in reduce chassis flex but what bout the strut top ? will it make a difference on the back ?

gunny
04-10-09, 08:44 PM
Hi Gunny, think you're up to making me a front lower rear harness strut with weld bolt in setup?

No problem matey, just sign a disclaimer when you drop the car off ;)

lol

Mike
04-10-09, 08:44 PM
What is the difference between strut top brace and weld in brace, i know the weld in reduce chassis flex but what bout the strut top ? will it make a difference on the back ?

:tard: speak sense man lol

What about the strut top?

gunny
04-10-09, 08:45 PM
Its all getting confusing in here lol


LATERS!!

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:46 PM
ok lets start over lol

what does a strut brace that bolts on to the top of your REAR struts do ?

does it do the same thing as a rear WELD in brace ? because i heard that weld in brace reduce chassis flex but i cant see a bolt onto the top of strut, brace, reducing flex in chassis.

do you understand me ? lol lol

brainsnova
04-10-09, 08:46 PM
just weld in the proper rear brace and save arsing about with meccano.

burgo
04-10-09, 08:46 PM
What is the difference between strut top brace and weld in brace, i know the weld in reduce chassis flex but what bout the strut top ? will it make a difference on the back ?think about it, the shocks are rubber mounted. how is anything rubber mounted going to stiffen the shell

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:48 PM
i know it wouldnt stiffen the shell but i think it might affect the way the rear shocks might move about when cornering ?

no idea thats why i ask.

gunny
04-10-09, 08:48 PM
One on the rear strut top doesn't do much at all, if anything, its there so you can pop the boot at your local cruise to sho all yo homiez :cool:

Weld in FTW mate, braces are meant to reduce the flex of the shell, not the movement of the rubber mounted dampers.

Mike
04-10-09, 08:49 PM
ok lets start over lol

what does a strut brace that bolts on to the top of your REAR struts do ?

does it do the same thing as a rear WELD in brace ? because i heard that weld in brace reduce chassis flex but i cant see a bolt onto the top of strut, brace, reducing flex in chassis.

do you understand me ? lol lol

A) Looks pretty, offers mediocre results...

B) Its does the same thing as answer A, but exceeds it a thousand+++ times over

C) Yes i understand you now.

burgo
04-10-09, 08:49 PM
look, the ones that bolt on the top do funk all, end of!!! if you want something that makes a difference but have it removable make one that goes in between the rear arches like a weld in one

gunny
04-10-09, 08:50 PM
lol 5 pages of confusion and retardedness

burgo
04-10-09, 08:51 PM
i didnt think it was that hard to grasp

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:51 PM
ok this might sound a bit daft.


Why do people weld them in the back but use bolt on ones in the front then ? because i also have a bolt on in the front.

gunny
04-10-09, 08:51 PM
:roll:

Mike
04-10-09, 08:51 PM
ok this might sound a bit daft.


Why do people weld them in the back but use bolt on ones in the front then ? because i also have a bolt on in the front.

You ever tried removing an engine with a funk of metal bar welded in its way?

BUT saying that you can get Grp A Escort style weld in front braces, just involves welding some small brackets to the shell an bolting in the brace bar.

MK999
04-10-09, 08:53 PM
Shocks are bolted up to a shell by a rear beam (for the sake of argument you can assume this is solid, or only moves in the directions need for suspension action) and then to the top at the shell, now everything flexes whether it be measurable and visible or not. Silly thin nova shells flex a lot more than you'd think. Bracing one side of the shell to the other is going to effectively double the strength (ok maybe not accurate but you get the idea)

However a single bolt into the very top of the dampers is still rotatable etc, think about bolting it up without the car shell there, you could twist it around easily.

A bolt in setup like the one pictured is obviously far better, as it strengthens the top of the strut against the other side of the shell, however there's gonna be a small amount of deflection allowed by the bolts.

Welding in it makes it solid against whatever brace you use, so the only flex is gonna be that taken up by the brace (minimal) and whatever is transferred to other parts of the shell.

burgo
04-10-09, 08:53 PM
theres no space to weld them in the same as the rears. plus a bar across the engine bay constantly will make things a tad awkward. for instance my filter almost touches the brace, how would i take the filter/carb/inlet off

LEWI007
04-10-09, 08:57 PM
I cant see how having a stronger chassis stops the struts from flexing around though they are just held in by bolts and rubber. and i thought the whole idea was to stiffen the struts and stop them from moving when cornering.

or is it all just about stopping the chassis from moving/flexing, when cornering.

Mike
04-10-09, 08:57 PM
I cant see how having a stronger chassis stops the struts from flexing around though they are just held in by bolts and rubber. and i thought the whole idea was to stiffen the struts and stop them from moving when cornering.

or is it all just about stopping the chassis from moving/flexing, when cornering.

ITS NOT THE STRUTS YOUR TRYING TO STOP FLEXING FFS!!!1

Its all about the chassis!!!

Andy
04-10-09, 08:59 PM
Oh my days...

burgo
04-10-09, 09:00 PM
Oh My God!!

gunny
04-10-09, 09:00 PM
lol

LEWI007
04-10-09, 09:02 PM
lol well i thought it ha something to do with when you turn at high speed, the car will lean over and the wheels will sit at an angle while your going around the corner, meaning the tires sit at an angle and less tread touches the floor, meaning less grip.


might be a whole load of bollocks but thats the idea that was in my head lol lol

burgo
04-10-09, 09:03 PM
i cant even work out what you mean

Mike
04-10-09, 09:04 PM
lol well i thought it ha something to do with when you turn at high speed, the car will lean over and the wheels will sit at an angle while your going around the corner, meaning the tires sit at an angle and less tread touches the floor, meaning less grip.


might be a whole load of bollocks but thats the idea that was in my head lol lol

Tell you what, just buy & fit a bolt in brace.....

LEWI007
04-10-09, 09:05 PM
Well ive just found some info and it says the same thing that i was thinking, so i must be a BIT right ?

What does a strut brace do?
http://www.forgemotorsport.co.uk/images/pix.gif
The suspension geometery and the way the vehicle is driven dictate the lateral forces acting upon the strut (suspension). These forces can lead to movement which will change the suspension geometry. So just when you don't want it, i.e. when you are driving hard, your vehicles handling will deteriorate because the strut towers are moving.

Andy
04-10-09, 09:06 PM
why dont you just weld up your suspension

gunny
04-10-09, 09:06 PM
The Strut Towers......

LEWI007
04-10-09, 09:06 PM
lol come on dont be daft, im trying to get an understanding on how it all works.

MK999
04-10-09, 09:07 PM
lol well i thought it ha something to do with when you turn at high speed, the car will lean over and the wheels will sit at an angle while your going around the corner, meaning the tires sit at an angle and less tread touches the floor, meaning less grip.


might be a whole load of bollocks but thats the idea that was in my head lol lol

Completely different issue to do with body roll, not strut tops.

The above extract is correct, but by top of the strut towers, it means the chassis/shell, not the actual struts.

Mike
04-10-09, 09:07 PM
What does a strut brace do?
http://www.forgemotorsport.co.uk/images/pix.gif
The suspension geometery and the way the vehicle is driven dictate the lateral forces acting upon the strut (suspension). These forces can lead to movement which will change the suspension geometry. So just when you don't want it, i.e. when you are driving hard, your vehicles handling will deteriorate because the strut towers are moving.

Meh all that advertising speil is just that, speil.

Think about how suspension is mounted...rubber bush's....what does rubber like do? Flex & Sqaush. No amount of strut braces will EVAR stop that.

LEWI007
04-10-09, 09:07 PM
well if its the strut towers that flex about causing the dodgy geometry etc...

THEN it finnaly all makes sence to me lol lol lol

i thought it was the top of the suspension that moved not the whole turret.

gunny
04-10-09, 09:08 PM
HOOOOORRAAAAAY lol

burgo
04-10-09, 09:08 PM
how can the top of the suspension move if the strut doesnt

MK999
04-10-09, 09:09 PM
well if its the strut towers that flex about causing the dodgy geometry etc...

THEN it finnaly all makes sence to me lol lol lol

i thought it was the top of the suspension that moved not the whole turret.

Like I said before, everything flexes. Just because it's metal doesn't mean it's 'solid' so get the thought out of your head :) If you go an kick the side of a battleship that's built to withstand a torpedo hit, it *will* flex, not much, but it will!

MK999
04-10-09, 09:10 PM
how can the top of the suspension move if the strut doesnt

Don't confuse him please lol

LEWI007
04-10-09, 09:11 PM
it can move because its just a thin metal bar going through a hole with a nut holding it down ?

MK999
04-10-09, 09:12 PM
it can move because its just a thin metal bar going through a hole with a nut holding it down ?

10mm isn't 'thin' by any standards but it will flex by negligible tiny amounts yes, however the stupidly thin nova shell is what you want to be worried about.

Mike
04-10-09, 09:13 PM
Mate, look, just trust us on this one, a weld in is better, just becuase it is. Okay. Thats all you need to know alright.

BTW, are you a lawyer, taxman or judge? You ask waaaaaaaay to many qeustions & think up way to many thoerys to have a normal job....

burgo
04-10-09, 09:13 PM
im going

LEWI007
04-10-09, 09:15 PM
ahaha, havent got a job unfortunately, i just like to know how things work, just fitting the brace and knowing that it works wont satisfy me until i get an understanding on how it works lol

but i think ive got it now eventually lol

the brace stops the strut tops from flexing when you corner.

Mike
04-10-09, 09:16 PM
ahaha, havent got a job unfortunately, i just like to know how things work, just fitting the brace and knowing that it works wont satisfy me until i get an understanding on how it works lol

but i think ive got it now eventually lol

the brace stops the strut tops from flexing when you corner.

Its work on fiary dust. Simple.

mowgli
04-10-09, 09:16 PM
FOR CHRIST'S SAKE!!!!! the rear suspension on a nova consists of a rear beam, 2 springs & 2 dampers.

the rear springs actually take the loading from the movement of the beam, and the dampers slow the movement down.

the springs do most of the work of transmitting the forces into the chassis....

does anybody try & strengthen the spring seats by joining them together with a bit of tube??????? No they don't.

now, if you were fitting a full cage & rear coilovers, then a strut brace inconjunction with the cage will be a very good idea.

basically, a rear brace in a non caged car is just a decoration. also mounting the belts/harnesses to it is about as clever as buying one of those electric superchargers that is actually a boat bilge pump.

Mike
04-10-09, 09:18 PM
is about as clever as buying one of those electric superchargers that is actually a boat bilge pump.

Do they really give you 20hp extra? How do they fit? How do they work? Can i then have a dump valve? What does BOV mean? How do intercooler work? Where do babies come from? I want to turbo my 1.6? Help please, confuzzled :confused:

LEWI007
04-10-09, 09:20 PM
lol, im off to get pizza.

ill have some more questions tomorow night though so get ready.

Benn
04-10-09, 09:20 PM
Sorry Mo, but when i welded my rear brace in you could feel it driving down a straight bit of road. Corning you could really feel it.

Thick tube welded in is the best way.

Mike
04-10-09, 09:20 PM
Goody gumdrops :( more Q&A :(

Benn
04-10-09, 09:20 PM
Where do babies come from?

Mummys.

Mike
04-10-09, 09:22 PM
Mummys.

Where do mummys come from? Ive got one here you see, shes currently arms apart bracing the back of my Nova, should i weld her in? My dad might be pissed ive scorched her wedding ring tho :( what does marrige mean?

mowgli
04-10-09, 09:22 PM
Do they really give you 20hp extra? How do they fit? How do they work? Can i then have a dump valve? What does BOV mean? How do intercooler work? Where do babies come from? I want to turbo my 1.6? Help please, confuzzled :confused:

no, badly, they don't, yes but it won't work, get a dump valve soundalike thingy, no idea, well, storks bring them, why, you should be.

Benn
04-10-09, 09:26 PM
Where do mummys come from? Ive got one here you see, shes currently arms apart bracing the back of my Nova, should i weld her in? My dad might be pissed ive scorched her wedding ring tho :( what does marrige mean?
lol
Cable ties ftw, that way then she smells you cut them and kick her out..

Marrige is a bit of paper the wimin like... lol

mowgli
04-10-09, 09:35 PM
Sorry Mo, but when i welded my rear brace in you could feel it driving down a straight bit of road. Corning you could really feel it.

Thick tube welded in is the best way.

your shell must be slack as a fat girl then

mowgli
04-10-09, 09:36 PM
lol
Cable ties ftw, that way then she smells you cut them and kick her out..

Marrige is a bit of paper the wimin like... lol

marriage is a one word sentence

Benn
04-10-09, 09:36 PM
Like hardtime?

mowgli
04-10-09, 09:37 PM
no chance of parole

Mazz
04-10-09, 09:37 PM
lol well i thought it ha something to do with when you turn at high speed, the car will lean over and the wheels will sit at an angle while your going around the corner, meaning the tires sit at an angle and less tread touches the floor, meaning less grip.

I've not read the last few pages but isn't that the complete opposite of how camber works!

A degree or 2 of negative camber means when you corner have MORE contact on the road...not less..

L14MNP
04-10-09, 09:38 PM
Where do mummys come from? Ive got one here you see, shes currently arms apart bracing the back of my Nova, should i weld her in? lol Do it.
http://image.spreadshirt.net/image-server/image/composition/6838726/view/1/producttypecolor/2/type/png/width/190/height/190

MK999
04-10-09, 09:41 PM
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to L14MNP again. :( Awesome picture! lol

L14MNP
04-10-09, 09:45 PM
haha Yeah. I wana buy that one on a t-shirt. I have this one
http://image.spreadshirt.net/image-server/image/composition/6836522/view/1/producttypecolor/4/type/png/width/190/height/190
It's quite funny how many dirty looks you get! lol