View Full Version : Idiots guide for fitting strut brace! HELP?
Tony2Quick4u
29-08-2002, 08:45
Hi all,
Right i am sure you have heard from my previous posts that i was getting a strut brace and i am sure you are sick to death with me going on about it by now!! Anyway i finally received my strut brace and went to fit it last night........ I could not work out how the dam thing fitted on
What i am saying is i knew which way round it went (well at least i think i did! The problem was or problems should i say:
Looking from the front of the car with the bonnet up..
The two metal spikes and bolts the screen fluid botel bolts onto, they got in the way and when trying to press flat the two ends of the strut brace to the suspension turrets they don't sit very flat!!
Do the two ends of the strut brace just sit around the suspension turrets and i am supposed to drill the holes and just screw the screws in?
I need help. Or have Demon Tweeks sent me the wrong strut brace?
Part number MA1694 cost £54.13 OMP strut brace for a 99 Ibiza GTI 8V. Is this correct? (its the alloy one)
:cheers:
offer it up & mark the holes - then drill the holes, then screw them in
More when I get back from work & take a picture of the other side
Mark
Tony2Quick4u
29-08-2002, 09:01
Thanks alot Mark, but just one question? what about the other side as the bolts from the washer bottle get in the way? Or do i just try and work round this problem!!!!!
:cheers: :D
Mine's different - the washer bottle bolts onto the side of the strut.
it's just flat on mine - I would suggest that you work around it - my strut brace came off a later 8v & was unmarked
Mark
Tony2Quick4u
29-08-2002, 10:25
here is a pic of my engine bay!
it should go like this (this is brendys Cordie BTW)
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/brendan.nelson/images/enginebay.jpg
and another (of brendys site again)
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/brendan.nelson/images/indkit.jpg
Tony2Quick4u
29-08-2002, 10:51
Thanks alot Stu, i can see how it fits now, but do you know if he had any problems fitting the strut brace to the right hand side from the bolts from the washer bottle getting in the way?
Thanks
:D
Originally posted by Tony2Quick4u
Thanks alot Stu, i can see how it fits now, but do you know if he had any problems fitting the strut brace to the right hand side from the bolts from the washer bottle getting in the way?
Thanks
:D
Dont know I am afraid, I am looking to get me own braces at the mo
cordobabrendy
29-08-2002, 18:16
nope no problems at all, the bottle comes off, the strut brace goes on and with the aid of a drill, drill a hole just big enuff for washer bottle thread to fit through then when its all secured and tightened, fit the bottle and also, i had to rotate the bonnet sensor 180 degrees, other than that, no problems at all.:cheers:
cordobabrendy
29-08-2002, 18:17
if you want i can take a close up pic of the right side, camera is digital camera is sitting here doing nothing!!:)
vr6-ibiza
01-09-2002, 18:47
Originally posted by MarkP
offer it up & mark the holes - then drill the holes, then screw them in
More when I get back from work & take a picture of the other side
Mark
Actually the correct way too fit a STRUT Brace is to weld not screw..
But who has got a welding kit anyway ?
What particular wy were you going to weld the aluminium strut brace to the steel shell?
I know what you mean though - as part of a roll cage.
Dormouse
01-09-2002, 20:08
Glory Be for the official 20VT SEAT Sport OMP one...pre drilled...hehe...still does'nt fit without moving the water bottle a bit though.
Does it make a difference?...erm....ummm....can't say i noticed
:confused:
Dor
vr6-ibiza
02-09-2002, 12:25
Originally posted by Dormouse
Glory Be for the official 20VT SEAT Sport OMP one...pre drilled...hehe...still does'nt fit without moving the water bottle a bit though.
Does it make a difference?...erm....ummm....can't say i noticed
:confused:
Dor
Interms of tuffness, yes it make a hell of a difference, checkout a rally car, you will find it is welded.
Dormouse
02-09-2002, 13:54
yes, naturally if you add a bit of tubular steel it will add a bit of tortional strength, but in terms of non-cometition type driving, i'm not sure it gives you much at all.
On the 20VT the top mounts have a mastic type sealnt between themsleves anfd the front bulkhead, given that the mastic doesn't seem to have split crack / deform, I reckon an unbraced front end doesn't flex much anyway.
Yup, welding will always be stronger and this is done on rally cars due to blue book regulations. Seeing as the car shell is prepared stripped then welding in a factory brace is a hell of alot easier that Mr bloggs and his DIY garage set up.
At 50 quid though i was willing to evaluate it....looks good too LOL
:D
Dor.
ibizacupra
02-09-2002, 14:26
My Jetta runs a Sparco front top strut brace.
It has bent its end plates since fitting it 8 years ago, so has been doing something. Stiff suspension and a hard track life however.
Bill
Tony2Quick4u
02-09-2002, 15:55
Thanks all for the advice but i spoke to the experts at Regal and they said there was no chance the OMP strut brace would fit on as there are two many things to get in the way, such as the metal sticking out of the suspensions turrets which hold the water bottle on, nice to know i was not doing anything wrong, it simply does not flat. I am sending it back and going to try my luck with a Sparco brace!!
:cheers:
Dormouse
02-09-2002, 17:00
8 years Bill VFM!
I'll keep everyone posted about my feelings on the Strut Brace...might do a mini reveiw. Looks like it needs alconbury for a real test....or the turning into the Rushington Industrial area in Totton perhaps Bill?
Unlucky Tony, you'll get your money back I should think...maybe worth chatting to see where it went wrong at the design stage!
Still you at least know your induction kit seems to work!
Dor
cordobabrendy
02-09-2002, 20:12
Originally posted by Tony2Quick4u
Thanks all for the advice but i spoke to the experts at Regal and they said there was no chance the OMP strut brace would fit on as there are two many things to get in the way, such as the metal sticking out of the suspensions turrets which hold the water bottle on, nice to know i was not doing anything wrong, it simply does not flat. I am sending it back and going to try my luck with a Sparco brace!!
:cheers:
tony,. mine is an omp brace and it fitted ok, only had to shift a few things , put the brace on then replace them back on. Dont forget, some of the screws coming up through the turrets are only there cause the engine bay is part ready for left and right hand drive, any of the screws with nothing attached can be filled or cut off to allow a better mating between the brace and the turret.
Having seen it brendy - it's miles out - the struts are in the right place, it's all the other stuff
Mark
ibizacupra
02-09-2002, 20:35
Originally posted by Dormouse
Looks like it needs alconbury for a real test....or the turning into the Rushington Industrial area in Totton perhaps Bill?
Dor
I was'nt going to mention that bit....:rolleyes:
errhmm :eek:
strange, mine seemed fine... :D
Bill
:)
cordobabrendy
03-09-2002, 00:48
Originally posted by MarkP
Having seen it brendy - it's miles out - the struts are in the right place, it's all the other stuff
Mark
some of the holes did need enlarging, not a hard job tho.
nah brendy - tony's coolant bottle & alarm stalk & brake fluid reservoir is really high up compared to mine. if none of that was there, it would go on. strange - as mine came off an 8v - must be all that 'standardisation' SEAT are into
hopkinsgm
03-09-2002, 12:32
Just a thought but...
Is there a substantial difference between the design of the two strut braces OMP offer for 93-99 model Ibiza (and related models) causing some confusion here? There's two available, one in steel and the other in alloy. Dunno whether they're the same shape or what. And as for MarkP, your car is a pre-facelift model with the diddy turrets - not sure whether the 8v it came off was a pre or post facelift one... As I said, just a thought...
G
Tony2Quick4u
03-09-2002, 12:46
Hi Hopkins,
Looking at the engine bay from the front, on the right hand side where the water bottle fits, there are two short metal spikes coming out of the turret where the water bottle attaches to. The pre drilled holes on the OMP strut brace do not line up with the short metal spikes and also this then makes the strut brace sit wonky on the turrets and not flat. I am not going to start cutting off the short metal spikes as then how is the water bottle supposed to fit on. I spoke to Demon tweeks and they said that it was the right part.
It clearly isnt as the experts at Regal mtorsport said it was not right and did not fit.
Has the 8v at some point had a facelift, and before the strut brace fitted does not fit now, except they have kept the original design for the older model and not bothered to update the strut brace with the newer shape?
Hopkins, you seem to be a fountain of knowledge from previous threads. can you shed some light on what is going on?
The part number for Demon tweeks is MA1694 Alloy strut brace and priced at £54.13
Or has OMP fallen behind with the times??
Can i get in touch with OMP direct and explain the problem to them, perhaps their technical people can help?
:cheers:
Tony
I think you have to cut those studs off
Take off the header tank, and the bonnet alarm sensor, then fit the brace, drill the holes, screw it on, and re-fit the stuff u took off.
Sorry its a bit brief, Kev H has the same omp brace and had to do the above to get it to fit.
He'll probably be online later so he can answer it better
:cheers:
Tony2Quick4u
03-09-2002, 12:56
But if i cut the studs off then how am i suppose to re-attach the water bottle? Cheers
Now that I am starting a job in a fully equipped Fabrication shop next week and cannot get one at a reasonable price, I will just have to make one that does fit
Ps, any idea what guage thickness the tube bit is?
hopkinsgm
03-09-2002, 13:18
Originally posted by Tony2Quick4u
Has the 8v at some point had a facelift, and before the strut brace fitted does not fit now, except they have kept the original design for the older model and not bothered to update the strut brace with the newer shape?
Entire mk2 Ibiza range was facelifted 96/97-ish. Main difference up front was the fact that post-facelift models have larger diameter suspension turrets - hence Koni SSK suspension kit (as I have on my '99 8v) is only suitable for the later models as the springs won't fit inside the early style turrets.
I'm not sure how much of this has to do with the shape of the base plates of the brace - in which case perhaps the steel brace may be more suitable? I need to get around to bracing up the front of my 8v meself, so will have an underbonnet investigation to see what's likely to get in the way and then have a look through the lists to see what will require the least modification to suit. And you can rest assured that i'll post my findings (once i've found them :D )
G
Tony2Quick4u
03-09-2002, 13:32
Thanks alot Hopgins, as always your advice is much appreciated. I would appreciate it even more if you could have a look ASAP as i am off to Curby on Thursdy and would appreciate that extra bit of handling round the twisty circuit. So if you can have a look under the bonnet when you do yours or just have a look anyway and possible give me some advice on how to fit it. Cheers
hopkinsgm
03-09-2002, 13:41
Roger that Tony - i'll have a look and see what I come up with. See you at Curborough (hopefully all braced up)!
G
Tony2Quick4u
03-09-2002, 13:45
And if i can't fit it before Curby then i will be under your bonnet straight away checking the strut brace out!
:cheers:
hopkinsgm
03-09-2002, 13:58
Originally posted by Tony2Quick4u
And if i can't fit it before Curby then i will be under your bonnet straight away checking the strut brace out!
As I say, not done mine yet. I gather Kev Hall IS going though and he DOES have an 8v with OMP brace (not sure which one though...)
G
Kev Hall
03-09-2002, 16:38
I'm going (not that I can afford it!)
Yes I have an Omp strut brace on, but it did require a little modification!
In your way you will find what look like the end of threaded screws, like those that hold on your washer bottle. The brace can be slightly modified to work around the washer bottle mounts (ie: drilled), but the other 'mounts' can be removed!
As for drilling the turrets as long as you move every thing out of the way then it's no problem.
The alarm sensor will have to be moved round on the turret slightly, just to the next bolt though.
In hindsight the brace didn't look very compatable when I got mine, but I'd waited a while for it and didn't want to wait any longer so modified it. I found that it made a lot of difference on my car, and it was worth modifing to fit.
If you don't fancy modifing it and if any of the other makes braces fit no problem, then you might want to send it back?!
Your choice, I've heard that strut braces in general are a pain to fit, I'm happy with the Omp!
Hope this helps, I'll be there on thurs if not.
Tony2Quick4u
03-09-2002, 16:44
Thanks alot for that bit of advice kev, but i wll wait untill thursday and have a look at yours just to make double double sure of how you have fitted it and then i will get on with mine.
By the way i am drumming up a bit of competetition for Thursday, i have already said i will beat Phil (pipsqueak) and that i have thrown the gauntlet down so anyone else who wants to join in on the banter is more than welcome, i am going to thrash everyone.....muuhahahahaha!!!
:devil:
LMAO
Can someone take a picture of tony outbraking the bottom bending please :P
All in good taste tony ;)
Tony2Quick4u
03-09-2002, 17:02
Yep all good fun, although i am giving it all the mouth i am sure to make a prat of myself and outbreak......onto the grass and spin...LOL
Well i have the excuse that i am still a track day virgin and this is my first one, so i think my excuse will be "its my first time so be gentle". I guess i cant escape the pictures coming out afterwards of me on the grass looking very confused, like what the hell happened there.......hmmmmm i think i left the breaking a little too late!
Look forward to it and cant wait....wooohooo
:devil:
I can talk mate, ive still got a scoop sat on my desk from my last outing at curby.
and the optional hoola skirt on me undertray
have a good'un
cordobabrendy
03-09-2002, 17:45
tony, im gonna run out after dinner and take a pic of my bay for ya, yyou will see what i mean about the unused screw tops.
Kev Hall
03-09-2002, 17:52
Saul does this talk about being competetive remind you of anything!?;)
i HAVE got to come down now ,tony i'll bring me camcorder:D hopefully see the pasty boys in force:cheers:
Jason - don't forget the Gennie - and does it run? need to try & hook my lappy up to it
Cheers
Mark
PS - Glyn - the strut brace on mine came off a facelift
read other post:)hopefully they will let me off work,if not i'm sure an asthma attack wil suffice.
mirc is playing up so speak to you later:cheers:
Tony2Quick4u
04-09-2002, 08:39
Thanks Brendy, that will be a huge help.
:cheers:
just got a message from Demon Tweeks, out of momo, sparco, omp and Etech they dont list braces for mine:confused:
The shell aint no different though - they're just being thick
Originally posted by MarkP
The shell aint no different though - they're just being thick
I know that, but if it aint on the list...................they dont want to know.
We'll whip mine off & offer it up on Sunday then.
cheers, will bring me tools:)
cordobabrendy
04-09-2002, 20:01
pics are taken and will post em later when i get home from my bros ( gotta run up and rebuild his fecked HDD!) :rolleyes:
cordobabrendy
04-09-2002, 22:45
right, 'ere they are, i also have a video (bout 2 mb) which pans from one side to the other and goes in for a closer shufty at each end.
cordobabrendy
04-09-2002, 22:46
and the other side
cordobabrendy
04-09-2002, 22:46
and a close in look at the right side with the minor alterations for the sensor and water bottle.