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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: GTi_James on 23 August 2012, 14:51

Title: lower strut brace
Post by: GTi_James on 23 August 2012, 14:51
hey guys,

can someone enlighten me here, whats the difference between a strut brace and and ARB?

seen this at ebay, wondering what the dealio is

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-MK-4-GTI-ALL-MODELS-POLISHED-ALLOY-FRONT-LOWER-STRUT-BRACE-BAR-/150696258043?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3AVW%7CModel%3AGolf%7CPlat_Gen%3AMK+IV&hash=item23163269fb (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-MK-4-GTI-ALL-MODELS-POLISHED-ALLOY-FRONT-LOWER-STRUT-BRACE-BAR-/150696258043?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3AVW%7CModel%3AGolf%7CPlat_Gen%3AMK+IV&hash=item23163269fb)

and they also have these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-MK-4-GTI-ALL-MODELS-POLISHED-ALLOY-FRONT-LOWER-STRUT-BRACE-BAR-/150696258043?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3AVW%7CModel%3AGolf%7CPlat_Gen%3AMK+IV&hash=item23163269fb (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-MK-4-GTI-ALL-MODELS-POLISHED-ALLOY-FRONT-LOWER-STRUT-BRACE-BAR-/150696258043?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3AVW%7CModel%3AGolf%7CPlat_Gen%3AMK+IV&hash=item23163269fb)

same thing by the looks of it, any help please?
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: Golf_GT_TDI on 23 August 2012, 16:16
Don't reckon much at all of those, how about...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ultra-Racing-Front-Lower-Brace-Bar-Volkswagen-Golf-Mk4-4-Point-LA4-1271-/140802701468
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: GTi_James on 23 August 2012, 16:26
Don't reckon much at all of those, how about...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ultra-Racing-Front-Lower-Brace-Bar-Volkswagen-Golf-Mk4-4-Point-LA4-1271-/140802701468

indeedy i do have them saved for a later buy  :wink:

im a bit stumped though, heres what i want to set up, JOM coilovers with Audi A3/TT pair of shock strut top mount with x2 bearings, an S3 ARB though am tempted with the R32 one though not sure if it would fit, and 4x15mm spacers all round ready for next srping when all the crappy snow and weather goes and i can get my shiny new alloys fitted  :grin:

however the drop links are these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350586838520?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350586838520?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)

but the guys selling them has said hes not sure

"Hi not sure about the S3 arb. If it loops under the prop shaft it wont work if above same as original then they might. I can only suggest you fit the ARB and see what length of drop link you need. The MK4 ones are Adjustable from 119mm to 155mm measured from Pivot center to pivot center Thanks Les"

 :huh:
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: golfyste on 23 August 2012, 16:26
You have posted Exactly the same link twice mate.
They are a bit like a Audi s3 lower strut brace so quite good.
A anti roll bar is totally different, sits on too of the sub frame and connects your two wishbones.
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: GTi_James on 23 August 2012, 16:29
You have posted Exactly the same link twice mate.
They are a bit like a Audi s3 lower strut brace so quite good.
A anti roll bar is totally different, sits on too of the sub frame and connects your two wishbones.

oops went a bit squint eye'd

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OMP-FRONT-LOWER-RED-STRUT-BRACE-VW-GOLF-MK4-1-8-TURBO-/180939012069?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a20ce37e5 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OMP-FRONT-LOWER-RED-STRUT-BRACE-VW-GOLF-MK4-1-8-TURBO-/180939012069?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a20ce37e5)
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: golfyste on 23 August 2012, 16:29
S3 and r32 arb will fit with adjustable drop links but you have to modify them and make them shorter.
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: GTi_James on 23 August 2012, 16:30
You have posted Exactly the same link twice mate.
They are a bit like a Audi s3 lower strut brace so quite good.
A anti roll bar is totally different, sits on too of the sub frame and connects your two wishbones.

so fitting a strut and ARB is overkill or a rollercoaster for corners?
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: golfyste on 23 August 2012, 16:31
I wouldn't say you can have overkill  :laugh:
Just make sure you get a nice big rear arb to balance it out but it will handle much better  :smiley:
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: GTi_James on 23 August 2012, 16:37
I wouldn't say you can have overkill  :laugh:
Just make sure you get a nice big rear arb to balance it out but it will handle much better  :smiley:

got any part numbers for RARB? cant find anything on ebay apart from an R32 one but the guys said it wont fit a GTi, but if im fitting drop links it should fit right?  :undecided:
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: Golf_GT_TDI on 23 August 2012, 16:38
The OMP you've just linked to would be much better I'm sure with it being steel over the cheapo alumiunum ones
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: golfyste on 23 August 2012, 16:42
Get a white line one or eibach one.
Read up on the sizes but bigger is better  :grin:
White line one on eBay, #  - 120869771719

I think you can make the r32 fit but not 100% sure you will have to look it up
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: GTi_James on 23 August 2012, 16:51
The OMP you've just linked to would be much better I'm sure with it being steel over the cheapo alumiunum ones

hmmmm....so the advise then would be to obviously fit the drop links but some how shorten them...

having a rear ARB at the same stabalises my little road monster...and fitting struts stabalises the body when pulling G's around corners?
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: golfyste on 23 August 2012, 17:00
The drop links are for the arb not the strut brace

And strut braces and anti roll bars work together to reduce body roll and help the car stick to the road when cornering.

It's just of you only fit front ones the body roll on the back will still make it underwater loads so you have to make sure you also upgrade the rear by installing a large arb.
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: GTi_James on 23 August 2012, 17:14
The drop links are for the arb not the strut brace

And strut braces and anti roll bars work together to reduce body roll and help the car stick to the road when cornering.

It's just of you only fit front ones the body roll on the back will still make it underwater loads so you have to make sure you also upgrade the rear by installing a large arb.

right, gotcha,

off to see the bank of mum and dad, see if i got any borrowing space  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: GTi_James on 24 August 2012, 09:10
bringing this back,

if im not going low due to the fact that i'm driving to scotland and dont want to scrape my balls are the ARB's required? and would wheel spacings be adequate to stop any issues?
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: golfyste on 24 August 2012, 09:14
Arbs are even more important if your not low.
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: GTi_James on 24 August 2012, 09:29
i'm starting to get a headache with this, recon i'll just sort it out when i get back then lol

how do i get the adjustable drop links shortened? is there a considerable amount of cutting involved? or is there whitline ones? im thinking of getting the ARB's, Drop links and Struts sorted before the coilovers now, is that doable?
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: shaft69 on 24 August 2012, 19:45
S3 and r32 arb will fit with adjustable drop links but you have to modify them and make them shorter.
Ha ste how much shorter do links have to be but with S3 ARB???
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: golfyste on 24 August 2012, 22:24
For the front arb I hacksaw'd the whole rod off and then braised the ends together  :cool:

Yeah don't see why it wouldn't be possible
Title: Re: lower strut brace
Post by: shaft69 on 25 August 2012, 07:34
Short then!!!! :grin: