Strut braces - what do they do?

[JonRB]

I know that they reduce body flex, or more specifically, prevent the suspension towers from moving relative to each other, but what does this actually achieve?

I've heard that it gives slightly sharper turn-in, but that's about all I've been able to ascertain.

I'd also like to know what the disadvantages are, because surely if there are none then all performance cars would have them as standard surely?

[JonRB]

Hmmm. Thanks Pete.

Are you saying that by stiffening the shell they impact ride quality?

The reason I ask is that I have the opportunity to buy second-hand front and rear braces for my Corrado. My Corrado is already running fairly stiff suspension and ride quality has been impacted as a result and it is only just acceptable at the moment, to be honest. Are you saying that ride quality would be further impaired?

I've noticed that my Chimaera has far more compliance in its suspension setup and I put that down to the stiffer chassis allowing softer springs and dampers. I was therefore planning on fitting front and rear strut braces to the Corrado and then softening up the dampers by a few clicks. I take it this could well be a BlackAdder-style "brilliant plan, but with one small flaw - it's bollox"?

>> Edited by JonRB on Saturday 23 July 10:23

[JonRB]

dilbert said:

If you have an engine block in the way then the answer is to have a stout bracket that bolts to either side of the engine block, making the block a structural component.

Thus completely negating all the work the designers of your car did with NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) and rendering your engine mounts fairly useless.