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Lower front strut brace

Suspension; Gearbox, Clutch and Driveshafts; Brakes; Steering; Throttle and clutch cable issues
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MJK 24
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Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:37 am

Lower front strut brace

Post by MJK 24 »

Hello,

I've just done a top to bottom refurb of the steering, brakes, suspension and tyres on my Mk2. With regards to suspension I've powdercoated and polybushed, Bilstein dampers with Eibach springs and Eibach anti roll bars. Top mounts also replaced.

I'm guessing the next step is a front lower brace? Can anyone recommend a good quality item that will stand the test of time? There seems to be quite a variation in price.

Cheers!
ianaudia4
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by ianaudia4 »

You could always buy a genuine VW strut brace, the last time I checked they were about £140.
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MJK 24
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by MJK 24 »

ianaudia4 wrote:You could always buy a genuine VW strut brace, the last time I checked they were about £140.
Didn't even occur to me that a) VW would do one and b) it would be still available!

I'll get on th case tomorrow morning - thanks for the tip!
ianaudia4
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by ianaudia4 »

The 16v Scirocco came with one as standard.
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1989 MK2 Alpine white Scala injection
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Mr Funk
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by Mr Funk »

Omp do one for about £30. Perfectly good for what it does unless you want to get something like a K bar but unless ours really driving hard I really doubt you'll notice the difference
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MJK 24
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by MJK 24 »

Well the standard VW jobbie is now obsolete.

Mr Funk - what's the difference between standard and a K bar? I've seen some that are basically a straight bar that bolts to the front pivot point of each wishbone. How does the K bar differ?

Cheers :)
Winston
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by Winston »

A K bar mounts in 4 places.

Image

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PeteGLi
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by PeteGLi »

If you want a 4-point mounting then Wiechers do one

http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Str ... tartPage=1
MJK 24
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by MJK 24 »

So you just bolt it to the front wishbone pivots and then drill the front legs where it naturally rests and bolt it on with self tapping bolts?

Cheers :)
PeteGLi
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by PeteGLi »

Not self tappers - proper nuts and bolts. VW will probably still do them. I cannot remember whether they are M10 or M12.
MJK 24
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by MJK 24 »

So drill right through the leg and nut and bolt it on. Would it be a good idea to use spreader plates underneath?
the edmundator
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by the edmundator »

If you can get a look underneath an original VW 16v mk2 Scirocco you'll be able to see how VW did it.
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PeteGLi
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by PeteGLi »

It is M8 and just a bolt - N 10155901 hexagon head bolt c/w shoulder M8X20 and a nut - N 90074401 hexagon nut, self-locking M8 / KR,PL each side.

No washers, no spreader plates.
mark1gls
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by mark1gls »

So does the k bar make that much difference over a "normal" strut brace on normal road use or is the k bar just really for track cars?
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Village Idiots
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Re: Lower front strut brace

Post by Village Idiots »

My engineering brain says the one on the VW Heritage site looks much stiffer than VW's design.
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