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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Mcwill on 12 December 2013, 21:08

Title: Front strut brace
Post by: Mcwill on 12 December 2013, 21:08
Hi guys, will a front strut brace fit ok with abf engine?
Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: Mr Blue on 12 December 2013, 21:17
A 16v brace might clear but I would be more concerned about drilling into the top struts. Rust and permanent holes.

Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: Mcwill on 12 December 2013, 21:48
Thanks for reply mr blue, dint think about the drilling into the top struts and thinking about it the passanger side one has got a blob of rust on it :huh: dam it ordered one now :angry:
Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: Thom89 on 12 December 2013, 23:37
A 16v brace might clear but I would be more concerned about drilling into the top struts. Rust and permanent holes.

Don't they fit over the existing strut mountings?

Thom
Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: Gambit on 13 December 2013, 08:50
Need to drill holes in turret for the base plates. Not a big deal really, just treat the bare metal. Front brace makes a fair difference on a mk2

Only brace i know that clears it would be an eibach. It might be tight with others, i know my omp one is tight and its not a tall back 2.0
Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: Mcwill on 13 December 2013, 13:58
The one I have ordered is the jom one so doesn't sound like it will fit :angry:
Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 15 December 2013, 20:15
Possible dumb question. How does putting a strut between the two top plates (not the suspension itself) help the handling? Is it worth getting one?
Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: Thom89 on 15 December 2013, 21:42
Possible dumb question. How does putting a strut between the two top plates (not the suspension itself) help the handling? Is it worth getting one?

Not a dumb question at all, you either know, or you don't
Basically, it stiffens the chassis, so under hard cornering you get a more precise feel to the car... very much placebo effect on a road car though that has one fitted with no other, or little other chassis/suspension mods,
A brace can also be fitted that connects the lower track control arms transversely under the car, for the same reasons, rigidity.
A strut brace can also be fitted in the boot, linking the rear struts together...

Thom
Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: matt@onlychargeddubs on 16 December 2013, 10:56
As above, stops the body flexing.

Personally, if you're bothered get a lower one for the subframe, you'll get more noticeable gains from this and you're not drilling holes in a place you will later regret! Struts braces in engine bays look terrible IMO and especially on an old classic car, they don't want more holes drilling in them :cry:
Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: Diamond Hell on 16 December 2013, 11:34
TBH for a strut brace to make significant difference the mounting plates should be welded to the strut tops, not bolted/screwed to them.  That's just ghey.
Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 16 December 2013, 20:16
For a car that has been lowered then is an additional strut brace a good idea? I quite like the idea of having one mounted on the rear struts just hidden under the parcel shelf. Also the lower subframe one just sounds like an anti roll bar.
Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: Gambit on 16 December 2013, 20:48
Front upper works well, front lower not so well, rear works well also especially if you find one that triangulates like the neuspeed one

front lower mounts between two front wishbone bolts, so if your bushes are knackered/soft itll keep it feeling tighter. And make sure you get a steel lower one if buying one.

Uprated rollbars are a different kettle of fish and you feel them far more than any brace.

All the compenents all add up to a very responsive handling car

springs
shocks
rollbars
braces
bushes
Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: matt@onlychargeddubs on 16 December 2013, 22:04
It's not like a roll bar as it's not stopping roll, it's stopping flex.

I personally think the cost of buying one and bolting it to your car is far too much to justify fitting one in the bay!

A rear one would be the best place to fit a brace.

Solid (not just poly) bushes are the best mod with a good set of roll bars
Title: Re: Front strut brace
Post by: Diamond Hell on 16 December 2013, 23:58
Polybushes on the front of a Golf2 are not a good idea, as has been proven by various people with track cars.

TT bushes on the back of the control arms, plus stitch-welding the control arms are what makes the difference.