Strut Braces
Tue car-enthusiasts are never satisfied with the stock versions of their new car. However, if you love modifications, it is important that you accessorize your vehicle with the right peripheral to make it look great and unique. One such accessory that is a must have and guarantees to provide the ultimate car performance is the strut brace.
A strut brace is a suspension accessory, which is used to connect the parallel suspension pillars or strut towers in cars together in order to provide extra thickness. It provides enhanced feedback for the driver as the braces share the load of each strut tower, thus reducing body twisting and flexing and allowing better performance of the car during cornering. Cornering grip is greatly increased even under heavy load, improving car handling by a great extent.
Most strut braces are fitted in the front sections of the car, as that part of the vehicle is likely to flex more than the back of the car. Now, it is very important to make sure that these braces are made with high degrees of precision and allow room for fine-tuning after being installed in your car. The most recommended strut braces are those made of carbon fiber or aluminum, as the stronger and lighter the braces the better.
The actual installation of these braces is a very simple and straightforward task that can be accomplished by expert or amateur mechanics in a short amount of time. The required tools necessary for the installation are common toolkit items such as a torque wrench, socket and perhaps a metal drill. It is important to ensure that the braces you have are the perfect fit for the struts in your car and that they do not touch the engine and the other components. You also need to keep your car on a level surface during installation.
The first step of installation is to remove the bolts on the top of the strut and fit in the strut braces. Then refit the bolts back on to the studs and tighten, making sure not to over tighten. For accurate and proper tightening, it is advisable to use a torque wrench. Do the exact same thing with the opposite side of the strut. Install the rear brace in the exact same way by adjusting the bolts to the required lengths and making sure that there is no tension on the bar when at rest. Remember that the strut brace is only used to keep the strut towers firmly in their place, and that pulling and pushing them in and out is not their purpose. In some cars, you may need to drill holes around the top of the struts to put in the braces as some struts may have just one nut. In this case, use the drilling machine.
There are several types of strut braces available in the market at quite reasonable prices. The E-Tech Alloy Strut Braces are ideal for lightweight performances. They have a fine finishing of polished and brushed aluminum and are available for many models of cars including Ford, Mazda, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Honda, Toyota, Citroen, Escort and Vauxhall.
There is also the Sparco and OMP Strut Braces. OMP in particular is the leading manufacturer of braces made in Europe and their manufactured strut braces allow the suspension geometry to stay unchanged under heavy cornering providing the ultimate driver feedback. Most of the products of Sparco and OMP are strut braces ready for motor sport made of high quality steel. They are ideal for cars with tires that are low profile.
Now, you may be quite skeptical about how just fitting braces between two pillars in a car can enhance its performance and handling, but rest assured, the effects of installing this accessory will work wonders. In fact, customers who have already installed and used the strut braces in their vehicles say that they were quite surprised to feel their cars perform differently, and the difference is apparently quite prominent.
All in all, installing these braces will give your ‘ride’ that solid feel and provide you with the satisfying driving experience you so crave. Plus, they even look pretty cool! So, what are you waiting for? Get your car what it needs now!
