Looking for a test pilot for rear removable strut brace.

[Mega]

Hi
My names Mega, i run a engineering shop in Liverpool making lot of differant things, mostly Archituctral. My hobby of late is making bits for cars......Strut Braces.

Rear removable brace to be spot on, like these:-
http://www.20v-turbo.co.uk/leonbrace.html

As you can see it has quick relese fittings to allow you to remove or replace it in a few seconds with any tools, thus you don't get caught out in a "B&Q" moment.

This design of brace is now fitted to:-
Seat Leon
Seat Ibza
Skoda vRS Fuby
Skody vRS Octy
MG ZR

I each case we found that it has helped no end handling wise as the rear end of the car is now so much more stiffer. I love to do a Clio, but need someone work with?

Cheers
Mike

 

[fUbAr]

^^ that link doesnt work

 

[GarethM]

as above^^

 

[Mega]

Sorry, seem to have lost link,try:-http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?p=694301#post694301
Cheers
Mike

 

[GarethM]

cant see the pics on there either

 

[stu8v]

^^ that link doesnt work

Much like a rear strut brace on a clio

 

[MATT BLACK]

You want to try it out on a 400 bhp clio ??

 

[Maz]

I live 20 mins away from liverpool and have a 54 plate 182

Pick me, pick me

 

[EVOgone]

You want to try it out on a 400 bhp clio ??

Thought you said strut braces are a load of crap mmm interesting.

 

[GarethM]

dont start again lads!!!

 

[Mega]

Well all i can say is that we had brill results from our others, i sent them as far as New Zealand!

We find that all hatchbacks flex owning to the fact that there is a big hole cut into the bodywork (rear hatch).

What i have also seen are a number of laughtable attemps at braces, like made from seemed mild steel tube (I use Stainless Steel 316 L seemless) and a large number do not allow you to tighten them thus you cant take up the loose play.

Listen i got a lot of photo's could somebody post them on here for me? Or form a link (i am not very computer useable).

If so, please give me an e-mail.
Cheers
Mike

 

[patty]

drop them to me at pattyakathedon@gmail.com

 

[Mega]

Thank you, you have mail
Mike

 

[EVOgone]

dont start again lads!!!

Consistancy is key ask Delia Smith....lol

 

[GarethM]

lol ill give her a ring and ask!!!!

 

[patty]

click on the pics for bigger ones

patty

 

[Guy]

well i wouldnt trust an opinion of that car owner on how well the car is with it, he clearly knows nothing about cars... hes bought an 'NX' nitrous kit!

 

[Mega]

Ok, i am not looking for a "Fire fight" with anyone. I run a Skoda vRs Octy Turbo and even thought there are a pair of small braces in it i noticed quite an improvement in mine.

what i require is a set of photo's shown the boot area.......and the same area without the carpet, so i can see what is there for bolting to.

Some cars are very helpful, others less so, but i do know in the case of the Clio.
Mike

 

[Guy]

i could get you some pics tomorrow of a 182 boot but i aint ripping the carpet up!

 

[MarkM]

Are you planning on doing a front brace?

 

[stu8v]

Judging by the pics posted, i fail to see how it would offer any benefit.
This would be due to the design of the brace and the fact that the car doesnt have struts at the rear......

 

[Mega]

Strange, anyone got a drawing?
Mike

 

[dan.taylor.1]

you planning to do one for a mk1, i can get some pics for you?? how much will they be??

 

[Mattieuk]

If there is a benefit in a rear brace or not I don't know. But having a removable brace is a great idea, I had one in my old 172, it looked good but was a pain in the ass on the weekly food shopping trip

Good luck Mega with your product

 

[rmccardal]

Make one for the front. I dont like the omp one.

 

[rmccardal]

rear looks like this ...

 

[Mega]

Price is somewhere between £60-£85 It depends on what needs doing, for example the MG Zr require Lazer cut and formed Brackets ( Also Stainless Steel).

Look i an totally in the dark here, i never even seen in the boot of Clio, the only ref i have is Autocar talking about going to France to Driver the Cup Sport (the thing with the trick front shocks) and crashing badly over a hill and the shock coming through the body work.

BTW Do we know of anything about the New forth coming Clio Sport?
Will it also have trick front suspension?
Mike

 

[theduck]

Rear
http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=1275
Front
http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=1553

oh and i have a 1998 5door. surely more holes means more flex meaning biggest room for improvement so an ideal car to work on!

 

[Mega]

Thanks, that helps....Ok Who said there no rear struts? I think your find them UNDER the rubber cones!

Need to study this picture, over a cup of tea.......Back later.
Mike

 

[theduck]

i dont mind bringing my car upto you for a day for you to work with!

 

[Mega]

ER, I don't think your surposed to clamp onto a suspension strut like THAT!!!!!!

Ok, Think i sused it, let me do a few drawings.
Cheers
Mike

 

[Friction]

the rear shocks arent 'struts' exactly, they're just shock absorbers...

cant see a rear strut brace making any difference to be honest. Why would the rear flex enough to warrant a strut brace, when its on a trailing arm (as opposed to independant struts)?

 

[BenR]

Thanks, that helps....Ok Who said there no rear struts? I think your find them UNDER the rubber cones!

Need to study this picture, over a cup of tea.......Back later.
Mike

Dont worry about it Mega, sometimes you can catch us clioboys at a certain time of the month .

Anyway, the reason why a rear strut brace isnt required is because the rear turrets simply secure the tops of the dampers. The only force acting on these turrets is a linear up/down force and a small one at that. And existing 'braces' have had flak because they are simple aesthetic.

The clio runs a torsion beam, so if you look under the car, all the lateral forces are amplified to a point on the beam either end which the trailing arms pivot from. Then the beam itself is bolted to the bottom of the shell. So in both MK1 and MK2 terms, the braces are pointless.

Thanks for the offer though, a front one would be nice.........most of the ones available are a horrible fit. And a tri point front brace would be showing off........hint hint.

 

[MarkM]

I think you will have more of a market for a well made stainless front brace to be honest.

Id have one for a start.

 

[miketheman2k]

^^^ Me too

 

[patty]

fronts good 4 me too

 

[Mega]

Ok, i am back, I did a rear brace for a Focus and that DID make a differance. Happy to look at front, but think your be surpized ref the rear.

Please remember the Mini has an IRS and BMW are about to do a GP verson without rear seats and with a fixed REAR BRACE.

Anyway, we will find out, Right witch if you guys has got a MONSTER of a Clio ?


Sussed how to do it, think a clamp that grips rond the suspenion turret rather like the way a con rod grips a crank.
Mike

 

[BenR]

Like i said, that area wont be flexing, especially when most people are running around on rubbish road tyres that dont generate the lateral G's.

The rigidity is in the beam, and the dampers are on large rubber bushings, so loadings really do not translate through the dampers.

If your serious, have a look at the mounting points for the torsion beam.

 

[stu8v]

Like i said, that area wont be flexing, especially when most people are running around on rubbish road tyres that dont generate the lateral G's.

The rigidity is in the beam, and the dampers are on large rubber bushings, so loadings really do not translate through the dampers.

If your serious, have a look at the mounting points for the torsion beam.

I think your wasting your time, he obviously is a business man rather than enthusiast. He doesnt understand (or care) how they work.
Once again for the dumb people these offer no advantage other than emptying your wallet.
On such a new car i would bet one wouldnt be noticable even on the front.

 

[len_beach]

On such a new car i would bet one wouldnt be noticable even on the front.

I don't think that is strictly true. Having bolted in my OMP last week, even with ruined tyres, the turn in is sharper and more direct as the flex in the shell is reduced allowing the tyres to place more surface area onto the tarmac. And suprisingly the ride feels slightly more compliant.