The Strut Brace thread

Shan2nu · 16th October 2004, 15:22

I tried finding some info on this topic but found nothing more than some tips to fit one on a car.

Does anyone know a bit about Strut Braces?

They say it improves the handling of the car and makes the chassis more rigid. Will it work on Indian cars?

Is there any other reason why rally cars have this fitted on them?

Please post some good sites with info on this topic.

Shan2nu

Domnic · 16th October 2004, 16:14

Hi Shan,
There are different types of braces, now the brace you were looking info is the strut brace. As the name suggests the brace is mounted on struts. There are two strut braces, rear and front. The front is the most common. Other are the front lower etc.
The front brace sits on both the McPherson struts. The installation of a strut brace provides a crisper turn in when turning due to the rigidity provided by it. And is more stable in turns. The same case with the rear. Chassis flex too is prevented when using this, while loading high power engines especially FWD the torque can flex the compartment, the braces help in this too. But is mainly used due to its additional benifits for handling purposes.

Cheers
Dom

Shan2nu · 16th October 2004, 16:24

So does it make sense, fitting one on my Vtec? Will there be noticable results?

Coz, after a 44K run of hard driving, the chassis is bound to lose it's rigidity.

Shan2nu

Kinetik · 16th October 2004, 19:05

matiz is one of the few indian cars which comes fitted with a strut brace

Shan2nu · 16th October 2004, 19:14

No wonder that car handles like a gem. Boy, i've seen that car corner. With a little more rubber, it'll pull more lateral g's than any B, *C, D segment car.

Shan2nu

ajmat · 16th October 2004, 21:42

where can we get one made ?

Revvmaster · 17th October 2004, 01:17

Yup Kinetik... the saving grace of a Matiz is its ability to corner... thanks to strut braces.

Revv

Rtech · 17th October 2004, 02:03

Does the MAtiz have upper or lower braces?

Revvmaster · 17th October 2004, 02:32

Rtech

The brace starts from the top of the suspension mounting and moves all the way above behind the brake fluid filler. Remind me to show it to you the next time we meet. I'll try hunt for some picture of it on the net meanwhile.

Revv

Domnic · 17th October 2004, 02:56

Hi Guys,
Yea shan do go for it.. in fact you can make one yourself. If you are interested let me know... i can send you some design samples....

Cheers
Dom

Heres a picture of a simple 2 point strut brace

speedsatya · 19th October 2004, 01:47

how much wud it cost ??

Domnic · 20th October 2004, 03:48

OE ones cost between 10k to 50k depending on application. But you could also make on for yourself for around 4 - 5k

Cheers
Dom

ajmat · 21st October 2004, 00:48

...........and I have just bought a readymade one for Rs 3800. Need to get it fitted, might try it myself if I find a torque wrench !

speedsatya · 21st October 2004, 01:20

hey dom wat diff wud it make if i get one for my zen with those skinny tires.

Revvmaster · 21st October 2004, 03:26

Automech makes some strut braces as well. I heard them quote in the region of Rs.1250-1500. You can check up with them.

Revv

16th October 2004, 15:22	#1
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	The Strut Brace thread I tried finding some info on this topic but found nothing more than some tips to fit one on a car. Does anyone know a bit about Strut Braces? They say it improves the handling of the car and makes the chassis more rigid. Will it work on Indian cars? Is there any other reason why rally cars have this fitted on them? Please post some good sites with info on this topic. Shan2nu
	(1) Thanks

16th October 2004, 16:14	#2
Domnic Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: bangalore Posts: 428 Thanked: 6 Times	Hi Shan, There are different types of braces, now the brace you were looking info is the strut brace. As the name suggests the brace is mounted on struts. There are two strut braces, rear and front. The front is the most common. Other are the front lower etc. The front brace sits on both the McPherson struts. The installation of a strut brace provides a crisper turn in when turning due to the rigidity provided by it. And is more stable in turns. The same case with the rear. Chassis flex too is prevented when using this, while loading high power engines especially FWD the torque can flex the compartment, the braces help in this too. But is mainly used due to its additional benifits for handling purposes. Cheers Dom
	() Thanks

16th October 2004, 16:24	#3
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	So does it make sense, fitting one on my Vtec? Will there be noticable results? Coz, after a 44K run of hard driving, the chassis is bound to lose it's rigidity. Shan2nu
	(1) Thanks

16th October 2004, 19:05	#4
Kinetik BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 324 Thanked: 7 Times	matiz is one of the few indian cars which comes fitted with a strut brace
	() Thanks

16th October 2004, 19:14	#5
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	No wonder that car handles like a gem. Boy, i've seen that car corner. With a little more rubber, it'll pull more lateral g's than any B, *C, D segment car. Shan2nu
	(1) Thanks

16th October 2004, 21:42	#6
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,860 Thanked: 27,952 Times View My Garage	where can we get one made ?
	() Thanks

17th October 2004, 01:17	#7
Revvmaster Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,190 Thanked: 95 Times	Yup Kinetik... the saving grace of a Matiz is its ability to corner... thanks to strut braces. Revv
	() Thanks

17th October 2004, 02:03	#8
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	Does the MAtiz have upper or lower braces?
	() Thanks

17th October 2004, 02:32	#9
Revvmaster Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,190 Thanked: 95 Times	Rtech The brace starts from the top of the suspension mounting and moves all the way above behind the brake fluid filler. Remind me to show it to you the next time we meet. I'll try hunt for some picture of it on the net meanwhile. Revv
	() Thanks

17th October 2004, 02:56	#10
Domnic Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: bangalore Posts: 428 Thanked: 6 Times	Hi Guys, Yea shan do go for it.. in fact you can make one yourself. If you are interested let me know... i can send you some design samples.... Cheers Dom Heres a picture of a simple 2 point strut brace
	() Thanks

19th October 2004, 01:47	#11
speedsatya Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: bangalore/manga Posts: 3,169 Thanked: 738 Times View My Garage	how much wud it cost ??
	() Thanks

20th October 2004, 03:48	#12
Domnic Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: bangalore Posts: 428 Thanked: 6 Times	OE ones cost between 10k to 50k depending on application. But you could also make on for yourself for around 4 - 5k Cheers Dom
	() Thanks

21st October 2004, 00:48	#13
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,860 Thanked: 27,952 Times View My Garage	...........and I have just bought a readymade one for Rs 3800. Need to get it fitted, might try it myself if I find a torque wrench !
	() Thanks

21st October 2004, 01:20	#14
speedsatya Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: bangalore/manga Posts: 3,169 Thanked: 738 Times View My Garage	hey dom wat diff wud it make if i get one for my zen with those skinny tires.
	() Thanks

21st October 2004, 03:26	#15
Revvmaster Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,190 Thanked: 95 Times	Automech makes some strut braces as well. I heard them quote in the region of Rs.1250-1500. You can check up with them. Revv
	() Thanks