Strut brace installation

[Rovinghawk]

I'm looking for some reassurance:

I have a strut brace to fit on one of my Saabs. It looks as if I undo the three bolts at the top of each strut mounting, place the strut & refix the bolts to the correct torque; seems easy & straightforward.

My question is simple- can I just undo the bolts without anything untoward happening to the suspension or is there something calamitous likely to happen that I don't know about?

RH

[rigga]

As long as the car is sitting on its wheels when you undo the bolts, shouldnt be any problems.

[4key]

Awaits thread about a rusty saab, cross threading or studs snapping

[jimxms]

As already said, so long as you do it while the wheels are on the ground it'll be fine.

[Krikkit]

Make sure you torque them up to the right spec and as gently as you can. Break one and it's a real ballache!

[LuS1fer]

Just don't undo the large centre bolt. Everything in the arch is a strut all bolted together by the central nut so undoing the holding nuts does nothing as long as the weight of the car is sitting on it.

You get the gist here (though this is my Mustang)
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2177534/2005-ford-mu...

Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 21st November 09:44

[Rovinghawk]

One final point- I take it that the bolts don't have any nuts underneath & simply screw into the strut?

RH

[SuperchargedVR6]

No, top mounts usually have captive studs or threads, for the visible nuts / bolts to screw onto / into.

Out of interest, does your car even need a brace? My mechanic used to suggest tying a piece of cotton across the struts, take the car out and give it death and if the cotton is snapped when you get back, you need a brace

I usually find a rear brace contributes more than a front one in a hatchback as saloons have cross bracing (the rear seat back rests) as standard. It's why the old VW Jettas used to have a handling edge over the Golf.

[Rovinghawk]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

No, top mounts usually have captive studs or threads, for the visible nuts / bolts to screw onto / into.

Thanks both to you & to the others for all the advice.

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Out of interest, does your car even need a brace? My mechanic used to suggest tying a piece of cotton across the struts, take the car out and give it death and if the cotton is snapped when you get back, you need a brace

I'm using it for track days & a few people who have fitted one recommend it highly. I have it now, so might as well fit it & see. Also the cotton wouldn't be damaged by compressive or torsional forces which the brace would resist.

SuperchargedVR6 said:

I usually find a rear brace contributes more than a front one in a hatchback as saloons have cross bracing (the rear seat back rests) as standard.

It's a saloon not a hatchback. I agree with your thoughts as I upgraded the rear ARB on a GM900 convertible & the difference was incredible.

RH

Edited by Rovinghawk on Wednesday 21st November 15:24

[y2blade]

I just undid the bolts the strut brace goes onto, fitted the brace then torqued them up...didn't even think to post a thread asking how to do it.

It was just six bolts on my car, piece of piss.


btw it made a big/noticeable difference (for the better)

[jimxms]

y2blade said:

I just undid the bolts the strut brace goes onto, fitted the brace then torqued them up...didn't even think to post a thread asking how to do it.

It was just six bolts on my car, piece of piss.

I did the same..but I couldn't help thinking (being my 1st time) that as the bolts loosenened, the front end of the car might suddenly collapse.

[Rovinghawk]

y2blade said:

I just undid the bolts the strut brace goes onto, fitted the brace then torqued them up...didn't even think to post a thread asking how to do it.

It was just six bolts on my car, piece of piss.

I was once told that the only silly question is the one you don't ask when you should have done.

Much of my introduction to mechanics involved trial & a great deal of error & I'm hoping to avoid any 'ooops' moments.

RH

[y2blade]

Rovinghawk said:

y2blade said:

I just undid the bolts the strut brace goes onto, fitted the brace then torqued them up...didn't even think to post a thread asking how to do it.

It was just six bolts on my car, piece of piss.

I was once told that the only silly question is the one you don't ask when you should have done.

Much of my introduction to mechanics involved trial & a great deal of error & I'm hoping to avoid any 'ooops' moments.

RH

I agree.
If in doubt ask

I didn't meant to sound like I was knocking you for doing so.
I come from a mechanical/technical background, have been messing about with spanners since the age of about 10...had my first motorbike to play with at 12.

[Rovinghawk]

In case anyone cares, it went perfectly. I obtained six new bolts the correct size and grade and they went in so much easier than the old ones came out.

The difference in cornering is quite noticeable & I'm very pleased with the result.

Thanks again for the advice.

RH

[y2blade]

Rovinghawk said:

In case anyone cares, it went perfectly. I obtained six new bolts the correct size and grade and they went in so much easier than the old ones came out.

The difference in cornering is quite noticeable & I'm very pleased with the result.

Thanks again for the advice.

RH

Well done fella

[shoehorn]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

My mechanic used to suggest tying a piece of cotton across the struts, take the car out and give it death and if the cotton is snapped when you get back, you need a brace.

String will only snap if top mounts flex outward,it wont tell you how much the top mount is moving inward under hard loads.