Rear Strut Brace install,

[mcandmar]

I managed to find a universal brace that fits quite nicely, Its an OMP adjustable alloy. (see piccy for part no)

The strut mounts are curved to fit a round strut tower, the coupe strut towers are a larger diameter so i had to bend the brackets out to make it fit. The bracket then screws to the car with four self taping bolts on each side. If you look at the photo there are two mounting positions on the brackets for the bar, i had to use the inner one as it just would fit in on the outer mounts. I'm going to take them off again and hacksaw the ends off just to tidy things up. Hard part was cutting two slots in the carpet to fit around them.

[mcandmar]

Installed Image.

..

[NoNonsense]

awesome! is the ride any different? less chassis flex i am sure.

[mcandmar]

Haven’t driven it yet as the car is off the road, I did notice when I tightened the adjustment bolt all the plastic trim around the pillars started creaking..

awesome! is the ride any different? less chassis flex i am sure.

[s2avant]

I fitted OMP group N fixed strut braces to the front and rear of my 1986 polo. The difference was incredible. They are quite well known for chassis flex though.

Ben

[dan_b]

So they just screw directly in to the suspension turrets?
I take it you don't want to use your fold-down rear seats to increase luggage capacity?!
How much did it cost? Let us know how it feels on the road...

[90quattrocoupe]

Hi,
What is the diameter of the strut and is it aluminum or stainless?

Greg

[Mark Halligan]

Nice one, well done.

I am going to get one of these when I get mine back on the road.

Thanks for trying it out first .

Cheers,

Mark.

[Greg_S]

@mcandmar, was there an improvement in the handling with the rear strut brace? any pics of how it is fitted to the turrets?

[Keeper of The Kitten]

How near to the top of the towers is this brace mounted? It looks low in the pics but I know interior trim can be a bit misleading! Higher on the tower would be better, given the practicality of space to fit it - but I am sure it is a step in the right direction!

__MDC__

[mcandmar]

@Greg: It mounts to the strut with four self taping bolts, once you tighten the middle joint up both halfs are pushed apart and against the struts so even without the bolts its not going anywhere.

I was sure there was a noticeable difference but its like anything, once you start thinking about it you convince yourself its better so that’s a very difficult question to answer. The car certainly felt more rigid on the limit, i.e. at the point of breaking traction mid corner it didn’t feel as squidgy and vague. Personally i would love a complete roll cage to make the shell more rigid as every little helps.

@Keeper: from memory there about half an inch down from the top of the strut, it just doesn’t look it with the carpet in place.

[Keeper of The Kitten]

That's kind of what I thought - should be fine fitted that close to the top!

__MDC__

[rs2coupe]

@mcandmar where did you source this brace? it looks similar to the jamex strut brace however without the brackets yours have...

[mcandmar]

Cant remember off hand, will have to look that up at home. I think it may have been Demon Tweeks.

Mark.

[Greg_S]

Mcandmar, how are you getting on with strut brace and have you got details of where its sold?