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Fitting front strut brace

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 8:59 pm
by CARRisma
I've purchased new stainless steel bolts for the tops of the suspension and the front strut brace. I remember reading somewhere that it's recommend to jack up the front of the car when fitting a front strut brace. Having no load on the front suspension while it's being fitted it beneficial.

Is this true or BS?

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:02 pm
by rob quilter
Bs I reckon.

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:05 pm
by mills
No need to jack it up, when the car is on the floor, the full load is on the suspension, so undoing the top nuts will be fine ;)

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:10 pm
by CARRisma
Yeah, I know it won't cause any issues with being on the ground, I've just heard that to get maximum benefit, it's recommend to fit it with the car jacked up, off loading the suspension.

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:52 pm
by prelude_h22
I heard the same thing.

I just installed my JDM brace when the car was on the floor.

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:54 pm
by RattyMcClelland
Definitely jack the car up.
Your preloading the suspension towers then. Does make a difference.

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 10:28 pm
by LewisH
I fitted mine when the car was jacked up. Just made sense really.

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 11:17 pm
by kris_aka_edu
Did mine on the floor. Mine was a PITA :cry:
Wires everywhere and everything was so tight to un-do. Had to cable tie the reservoir too. Couldn't find a hole to bolt the bracket onto so looks like crap but will do for now.

Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:24 am
by BMCC
On the deck is how I fitted mine. If you jack the car up then the weight of the vehicle is on the jacks rather than the struts I would have thought.

Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:28 am
by bristol_bb4
I honestly can't see how it would make a difference tbh, your just tying the struts together, surely it will give the same result weather the weight is on the suspension when fitting or not