Does a strut brace really work?

[Reed67]

Hi I'm looking to improve the already brilliant handling. I'm looking at a front and rear brace. Should I bother? If so get both or just which one?

Has anyone got any experience of driving with and without one?

Thanks

 

[Dan@SJM]

The only one that is affective is the Pure motorsport item as it works with the top mounts. I can supply a kit if required.

 

[DaveDreads]

I was convinced my rear OMP strut brace improved the handling,
took it off the other week to fit in a load of camping stuff, haven't put it back on,
turns out it does f*ck all.

 

[imprezaworks]

No, IMO.

 

[Dan@SJM]

I was convinced my rear OMP strut brace improved the handling,
took it off the other week to fit in a load of camping stuff, haven't put it back on,
turns out it does f*ck all.

FLOL!! Placebo is a wonderful thing.

 

[DaveDreads]

It did stop the shopping from sliding into the dog, so it wasn't completely useless.

The only way to firm the back up on these is the Whiteline ARB kit.

 

[Dan@SJM]

Is that the shopping sliding into the dog, or the dog sliding into the shopping?

 

[imprezaworks]

Yeah the arb does help although it's far more noticeable on my current car.

 

[DaveDreads]

Is that the shopping sliding into the dog, or the dog sliding into the shopping?

Shopping sliding into the dog,
no back seats and a massive Alsation means he's not going anywhere,
the shopping on the other hand ends up all over the place,
so I used to tie the carrier bags to the strut brace, worked a treat.

 

[m1tch1987]

A front upper strut brace works due to the McPherson strut arrangement - the brace ties the top of the suspension together, then for a FWD car, upgrading the REAR ARB will improve the handling.Saying that it won't really make much difference if all of the rubber bushes are shot and the tie rod ends are loose etc (hence poly bushes to hold the suspension where it needs to be).

 

[Sideways182]

A front upper strut brace works due to the McPherson strut arrangement - the brace ties the top of the suspension together, then for a FWD car, upgrading the REAR ARB will improve the handling.Saying that it won't really make much difference if all of the rubber bushes are shot and the tie rod ends are loose etc (hence poly bushes to hold the suspension where it needs to be).

Only with solid top mounts though.

 

[Dan@SJM]

A front upper strut brace works due to the McPherson strut arrangement - the brace ties the top of the suspension together, then for a FWD car, upgrading the REAR ARB will improve the handling.Saying that it won't really make much difference if all of the rubber bushes are shot and the tie rod ends are loose etc (hence poly bushes to hold the suspension where it needs to be).

But only the pure motorsport item is effective. The OMP ones are just a paper weight.

 

[Darius]

But only the pure motorsport item is effective. The OMP ones are just a paper weight.

how so?

 

[bloke]

It did stop the shopping from sliding into the dog, so it wasn't completely useless.

The only way to firm the back up on these is the Whiteline ARB kit.

i keep mine on as it makes a handy 'partition' and stops shopping sliding around all over the boot floor.

 

[Dan@SJM]

how so?

As the omp one is only bracing the turrets. Which don't need bracing. And it's only held in with self tappers FLOL.

 

[Darius]

As the omp one is only bracing the turrets. Which don't need bracing. And it's only held in with self tappers FLOL.

Ah fair enough

 

[M.A.C]

The powerflex rear suspension top mounts made the back end feel a tight more precise and glued down. Once fitted the mounts, never bothered fitting the rear strut brace back on.

 

[Dan@SJM]

That'll be placebo again. The rear top mounts do nothing other than stop the damper from knocking on the turret.