Menu toggle

Who makes a good strut brace ?

G

graham harvey

Club Member
Hi,

I've been on the internet today to try and purchase a strut brace for my '90 C2. Hoever with so many types / makes on the market i'm pretty baffled as to which one to buy.

Does anyone have anything good to say about a particular make or are they all about as good as the next one ?

Appreciate any help.
 
Graham,

I would suggest/recommend you either go for OE (part no. 964 343 042 00) or one designed like it, from Cargraphic, FVD or Techart).

Best regards

Emilios
 
And is this a DIY fit, on one web site it looks like just two holes at the end I assume for the top two bolts on the strut itself?

How do you tension it and how do you know when its done?
 
Graham,

I appreciate your original post was made some time ago so I might be way off but I thought it worth a mention that I have recently bought a strut brace from Essential Styling (as suggested by Mel). Although I convinced myself I was ordering a Brey-Krause part (as they advertise for the earlier 911s) it was obvious when it arrived that it wasn't. However, I have to say that the part that DID arrive looked very good, with rose jointed ends, three point mounting (i.e. on three of the four strut mounts rather than the more normal two) and an alloy strut rather than stainless steel. I'm perfectly prepared to believe it's not the ultimate strut brace but I reckon it's a good deal for £120. I haven't had a chance yet to experience the difference but looking forward to it. BTW, it also sits UNDER the carpet with no trouble although it loses the "poser" appeal somewhat![8D]!

Regards


Dave
 
Mel

I cant get that link to work it goes to a domain name reg company, could you check it for me please

Dave

Did you fit this your self? and was it complicated?
 
Johno,

The web address for Essential Styling is http://www.essentialstyling.com/

It's really easy to fit. Just remove the 3 nuts on top of the strut housing, drop on the bracket, replace the nuts and torque to 18ft/lbs, repeat for the other side, screw jointed ends into bar (one end is LH thread, the other RH), adjust length of bar (I found it necessary to screw both end fully home), attach bolt, washer, bracket, washer and nut, tighten nuts, further adjust bar to extend by 1/2 turn and then tighten locking nuts - done.

Really easy - took me about 15 minutes.

Regards


Dave
 
Dave

I take it from your description that the original nuts where undone with the car on the tarmac holding the strut assembly in place?

I would like to order one of these and give it a try but I am amused by you comment 'I haven't had a chance yet to experience the difference but looking forward to it'.

Didn't you just want to take it for a good spin after fitting?
 
Johno,

It wasn't the wanting that was the problem!! My 964 has been trapped in the garage for almost 3 weeks with a misbehaving alarm that's permanently armed - so it goes off when you open a door or turn on the ignition and holds the engine immobilsed permanently!!! I bought the strut brace as a bit of retail therapy to alleviate the frustration!!!

The car has been trailered off to the supplying dealer today for some remedial work - including the alarm - so I'm looking forward to getting it back, complete with new Fabspeed exhaust as well!! Can't wait!!!

To answer your last question - yes, as long as the wheel is on the ground the strut ain't going nowhere!!!

Regards


Dave
 
Dave

LoL, very frustrating mate!

I was just about to order one when they returned an email to me suggesting it had only two fixing points rather than three. It may be that the later model version is two point mounted, i will give them a ring and let you know how I get on.

Dave, lets talk exhausts. What you having done witht he Fabspeed. Its another upgrade I'm interested in and have had some coresponace with another board member on this issue. Let me have the details Dave. (I down loadeed the video/sound clip from a sight of the Fabspeed exhaust fitted and running - how sad am I!

Thanks

JohnO
 
Just ordered one, spoke to Simon who had told me he noticed a great difference when he fitted one so at £120+Vat it seems worth a punt!
 
Put one on my C4 some years ago, I could feel the difference as soon as I drove aross the garage forecourt!!

Mel
 
Mel,

If YOU noticed that much of a difference that quickly I'm in for a real surprise when I get the car back. I can't wait!!!


Johno,

At the risk of hijacking the thread I'll relate my story on the exhaust.

Firstly you need to understand that my car has the turbo arches with Pro-9 front and rear bumpers and the rear valance already has the two cutouts for a dual exhaust. The other factor is that my cat was (a) blowing and (b) unneccesary since it's an '89 car. So I wanted to replace the cat with a bypass and also wanted a "proper" exhaust with twin outlets (currently the left side outlet is a dummy).

I looked around at various suppliers but Fabspeed was the only one which fitted the bill, wasn't toooo expensive and allowed me to get rid of the big heavy final silencer. The thing which Fabspeed call their Euro Pre-Muffler is actually a cat bypass with "some" baffles - and it's made by Dansk in Germany. Both the cat bypass and the Fabspeed exhaust are sold in the UK by Design 911 and the price isn't so much of a hike over the US price. Carl at Design 911 is really good and much of the stuff is kept in stock. The finish, BTW, on the Fabspeed exhaust is amazing - like a mirror all over!!!

I'm obviously as sad as you coz I downloaded the Fabspeed video too - and it was that which finally convinced me. The exhaust hasn't been fitted yet but I'm dying to hear it!!!

Regards



Dave
 
Perhaps you should vid it when done and post it so I can listen. Or is that just to sad? LOL
 
Fitted the stru brace saturday (very windy day had to turn the car around to stopp the bonnet getting blown off and then had it pressed down on my head!).

Easy fit, three point both sides, screw in bar and then mole grips to tighten it.

Seems noticable at slow speed cornering but on faster stuff it just seems to have eliminated the front wheels from washing out and sliding away.

So here is a question about just that for you. If the front wheels sliding is a sign you are getting close to loosing grip and this has now gone. Does that mean that there will little or no warning before the back end comes round to become the front!!!!!?
 
Interesting. I just fitted a Porsche OE brace to my RS and did a trackday at Cadwell with it.

I can assure you that there IS understeer before things get interesting unless you are loaded up mid corner to absolute maximum G, when the tail will inevitably break away first. You are unlikely to get this entering or exiting a corner on the road due to weight distribution and "traction circles" etc... but do be careful (as ever) on those long, wet, high speed sweepers!

On the whole the brace seems to stiffen things up a touch (perhaps more on your C2 than on my RS) but certainly the part looks tremendously fast under the bonnet and the psycological effect adds a lot of speed[;)]
 
Like the comment ads a lot of speed looking at it!! LOL

But mine sits under the carpet so can't see it - bugger!

From you observation fre understeer I would guess then that this bit of kit is just allowing faster cornering before you get it so if I push a little harder it will return? Sounds good, but loosing it on the road at those speed wil only end in a lot of tears! I will wait until I can get it on the track.
 
I would certainly have said that your understeer will come back at the higher speed and still give you an indication of what is going on since you have not altered the balance or setup of the car.

To be honest I am stunned that you can tell so much difference! Are you sure it isn't in your mind?

As a test get a mate to fiddle about under the bonnet for 1/4 hour with you in the house and then go for a run. See if you can tell him if he has or has not removed the strut brace!!!!
 
I like your thought process there Julian!

I was going to try this myself but a blind studdy would be much more fun. I will have a think about it. LOL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Porsche
Lockton
Pirelli
Officially approved
Oracle Finance
WEX Esso
Collecting Cars
Back
Top