[mittal_v2002]

Recently I read about Strut braces on the forum and this sounded interesting to me. Most of the posts have listed down the advantages of the same and it seems to be an in-expensive fitment and quite straight forward and no messing with the car's stock parts etc.

However, if this is so simple, inexpensive and useful for better handling, why is this not a standard fitment on most of the cars ? Are there any particular disadvantages that I am missing in these discussions ?

Please throw some light on this aspect.

I am very seriously considering the strut braces for my Elantra GLS, that is near 70K KM. Any recommendation on workshop that does this in PUNE.

Regards
V Mittal

[GTO]

Originally Posted by mittal_v2002

However, if this is so simple, inexpensive and useful for better handling, why is this not a standard fitment on most of the cars ?

Few Indian cars, starting with the Matiz, do come with factory strut braces. From our Modifications article:

8. Strut braces:
Strut braces / tower bars reduce flex, and help in increasing the grip levels / stability of the car through corners. However, it’s only under hard cornering that the difference is noticeable. Approximate cost = Rs.1,500 – 5,500.

Disadvantage : You won't know the difference in your daily driving pattern. Only under hard cornering (typically on a track) will you notice any improvement.

Go through the Strut Brace Thread. Also, here is another one that will interest you.

For a bolt-on kit, you'll either have to order online, or ask Methods / Petes to import one.

[lancer_rit]

Depending on the car's chassis, suspension, height etc, OEM may not see any need to add a strut brace by default and add to the cost of the car. Esp, if many cars are just city roundabouts. Also a low-slung sedan may benefit from it only on hard cornering like GTO mentioned (plus most of our cars have pretty low bhp). However, for cars with soft-sprung suspension and/or less stiff chassis, it may help.

The Matiz had strut braces to provide more rigidity and less body roll to its tall boy, low-width frame. Driving it in the hills was so much more fun than other tallboys like Santro or WagonR.

Finally, the strut brace adds weight to your car which may impact performance and/or FE. Esp for vehicles with low grunt at off-idle rpms, adding more weight won't help matters, or ?

[paras211]

if you dont want a shiny chrome brace that you can show off , go to automech , they wielded a bent metal rod on to my suspension mounts , 700 bucks , vfm na?