Fitted a Rear Strut Brace

[Bowders1]

Ok to add to the various suspension mods I thought I would add a rear brace.

Idea to brace the rear support and further add strength to the existing brace bars.

First off I purchased a VW Golf MK4 rear alloy brace as know that these it our cars.

Like this one...

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item232746f630

I test fitted it and found that on our cars the turrets that the brace would fit to has less metal than on the Golf which made bolting all 4 bolts a little impossible.

I then thought I would only use the top holes and felt that would not be very secure.

Then looked to maybe fit it lower own on the rear arch panels, but that defeated the ability to brace the structure points correctly.

I ran the car about for a day with just top bolts and I could feel the strength on the brace working on taking a tight turn.

Then decided not happy and the bolts could come loose with twisting, and being me would not accept a none perfect job.

So few days later my friend welded a couple of bars to the lower part of the turrets to allow bottom bolts to be fitted making a more secure job. Although this meant removing most of the plastic panels and carpets

You can see the added bars (lower plates after I gave then a coat of paint)

Bar fitted

Made sure the plastic quarter panels would fit (close) whew....

i then had to trim the side panel carpet to allow covering the bolts.

Carpet trimmed and std braces re fitted

finished

[danposs86]

Is that bit of metal really structural?

[Liverpool-Lad]

I think you wasted your cash.

[Bowders1]

Is that bit of metal really structural?

Not in the true sense agree

I think you wasted your cash.

Thanks..

My cash to waste buddy....Although did not pay a lot so I am happy.

[TrevorB33]

I fitted the same brace on my old bam l&k that didn't have the cross braces I mounted it where the top of the original ones are

Obviously yours is the next best place Same as where I fitted the forge one,

[TrevorB33]

Is that bit of metal really structural?

Where is it is that bit of metal is welded straight on the top of the turret so it is structural

[IulianE]

what's next?roll cage?

you should paint it black

Edited 20 January, 2013 by IulianE

[Liverpool-Lad]

I wasnt having a go directly, that point is already triangulated, I cant see what effect a fairly feeble looking alloy bar do to help things.

[Silver Bullet]

Well 10/10 for pushing the envelope and trying new things, but not for me.

Tidy well thought out work and up to your usual high standard.

Is the change in how it handles very noticable?

[Bowders1]

I wasnt having a go directly, that point is already triangulated, I cant see what effect a fairly feeble looking alloy bar do to help things.

What does not having a go directly mean, having a go indirectly.....still having a go . You could of just said not for me than "think you wasted money". But fair enough, no worries it is your opinion.

Well 10/10 for pushing the envelope and trying new things, but not for me.

Tidy well thought out work and up to your usual high standard.

Is the change in how it handles very noticable?

You know me always tinkering and messing. I found quite a noticeable stiffness on the bends and the car is totally planted and sure footed, not that it was bad before with all my suspension upgrades, but yes notice a difference. The bar is alloy but does not flex sideways which is where i was looking for the effect. The std braces are good but more forward and not bracing the turret's in the same way.

[GeeVRSman]

my wagon is desperate for some bracing on the rear.. i keep looking at these mk4 ones.

nice little write up mate.

[Lloyd55vrs]

I personally think its neat mate

Is it just a mk4 real brace then ?

Although i think that would live in the garage and then road trip it

Id fook it and then id really define pi55ing money away

Cant take it with ya matey

Matt black would

Oooooo no

Carbon would be nice

Off to wicked coatings

Funds

Funds funds

Its only monies

[Bowders1]

my wagon is desperate for some bracing on the rear.. i keep looking at these mk4 ones.

nice little write up mate.

I had my eye on these for a while, as a few companies stopped making them.

I personally think its neat mate

Is it just a mk4 real brace then ?

Although i think that would live in the garage and then road trip it

Id fook it and then id really define pi55ing money away

Cant take it with ya matey

Matt black would

Oooooo no

Carbon would be nice

Off to wicked coatings

Funds

Funds funds

Its only monies

Yep std mk 4 golf matey.

Funny as I have some satin black and carbon effect wrap.

Hmm shall I........

Sent from my Galaxy S3.

[Lloyd55vrs]

Yeeeeeeeeah you should carbon it

How long did it take your mate to do the other bracket jimmy ?

[Bowders1]

Yeeeeeeeeah you should carbon it

How long did it take your mate to do the other bracket jimmy ?

Less than 5 minutes each side after I cleared out most of the rear interior to make it easy.

[jonnynewns]

I do like this little mod its quite neat and tidy, but I don't do chrome so definitely a colour change is needed

[Lofty79]

im green with envy as always bowders. Until i look at my fuelly haha

looks good mate

Edited 21 January, 2013 by Lofty79

[Bowders1]

I do like this little mod its quite neat and tidy, but I don't do chrome so definitely a colour change is needed

I know what you mean so the carbon fibre effect wrap is being fitted when i get the chance

im green with envy as always bowders. Until i look at my fuelly haha

looks good mate, update us on any appreciable difference

Cheers buddy, not the weather to test it at the mo,,,had some interesting drive to work today with the ice.

[Lofty79]

tell me about it, more time sideways than frontwards today

[Bowders1]

tell me about it, more time sideways than frontwards today

Plus as car is low the ice channel carved out in the roads sounds awful when driving over..........glad wheel spacers not arrived yet as car would of been dropped more.......lol

[gavla cradd]

+1 here, looks smart and the fact it works is always a bonus lol.

Carbon does sound good as well or even satin black.

[Lloyd55vrs]

I want a carbon one

Maybe i should add you to my 2013 road trip list

[billy2981]

Ive painted the forge one black.

Looks neet

Its a bit more than this one tho.

Its in the for sale section

Nice tho mark might try it in yhe furby if it dunt sell lol

[Lloyd55vrs]

Did you have a bracket welded in to billy ?

[Bowders1]

Did you have a bracket welded in to billy ?

No not needed on the forge as that has single fitment using quick release as far as I know. 3 times the cost too although nice piece of kit.

Sent from my Galaxy S3.