Strut brace

[Delk]

Has anyone had any experience with the cheap strut braces out of Poland on the bay?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-QMS-...adster&hash=item4433a70689:g:H-4AAOSwEHhcQYlk

I have been looking at them and like the idea of a simple brace with no ends or bolts to come loose. And I dont want to pay a lot of money for someones brand name.

 

[IainP]

Not on a Z, fitted one a while back to a Swift and went straight on, no drama.
Have looked at them myself, not impressed with the fancy bolt or adjustable types. One 8mm bolt isn't sufficient to prevent any vertical flex.
Only thing I can see wrong with them is, some of the pics show a smooth profile of the attachment ring. The Z3/E36 strut top has raised strengtheners, so needs a stepped ring, or, washers under the ring, which wouldn't leave much thread for the securing nut. May just be generic pics though, but worth an ask.
I'm probably just going to make my own, though it'll have bolts, simply because I have found an old bar I can make new mounts for, so it won't cost me anything. Once I figure out how to make steps in the ring that is.

 

[Delk]

Only thing I can see wrong with them is, some of the pics show a smooth profile of the attachment ring. The Z3/E36 strut top has raised strengtheners, so needs a stepped ring, or, washers under the ring, which wouldn't leave much thread for the securing nut. May just be generic pics though, but worth an ask.

Interesting thought. I have coil overs fitted and they had really long studs. Think this is supposed to go over the nuts already there and secondary nuts installed on the top. Only thing the left side inboard stud contacted one of the braces inside the bonnet so I trimmed it off. Really makes you realize the clearance issues.

I have the welders and really good tube bender at home for making cages and thought about making my own. Just not sure the hassle and materials are worth it.

 

[IainP]

Yeah, the only reason I'll do my own is this bar's been hanging on the garage wall for years and a quick look puts it somewhere close. I have plenty of hole saws for a pillar drill so that's pretty easy. This car is being passed to my son, trying to bling it as much as poss, for as little as poss. Plan on fitting a set of e36 camber mounts he has spare, I'm sure they also have longer studs.
Thinking about what you've just said, I may fit half nuts with washers, then the ring with flange nuts.

I'll check my scrap pile this weekend, I probably have the studs from an old set of camber mounts we stripped for spares if you want them.

 

[Delk]

Thanks for that. I ended up with a second set of camber mounts for the top of the coil overs by accident and they have not been cut.

I found Laser Master online who can cut the discs for me really cheap if I go that route. Would be better then me hand cutting them with a plasma torch.

I also like the build date sticker. Mine is also Nov 98.

 

[Delk]

Got a simple strut brace off of one of the members. No bolts or anything to come loose and just what I was after.

I have read alot of mixed reviews if the braces are worth it. I have to say I was very surprised at the difference. I live in the backside of Norfolk and if you drive a tractor the roads probably feel nice and smooth but not in a low Z.

The change is very noticable. Especially the vibration of the steering wheel that is completely gone now. The whole front of the car just seams stiffer and the suspension is doing what it should.