I was wondering if anyone on here has fitted a front strut brace or bar?

 

Something along these lines:

I've done a search of the Forum but couldn't see anything (maybe I used the wrong search words?)

 

If so, I'm interested if it made much of a difference to turn-in and handling? My vehicle has DCC, and yes, I have already fitted Eibach Pro-Kit springs and an aftermarket uprated Rear Sway Bar.

 

 

Edited 6 November, 20232 yr by fencer

I fitted a Hardrace front tower strut brace on my Superb a year and half ago now.

 

It has improved turn in and the front end certainly feels more rigid/planted.

It complements the Hardrace rear swaybar nicely, that I already had.

 

Would recommend it, and it's easy to install.

 

 

 

 

Thanks JR, I had a feeling you installed one but didn't want to single you out! Was the plenum chamber cover removal and refitment a pain? I've looked up the workshop manual and it's written in Czech-English and not super clear.

@fencer - all good.
i didn't remove the windscreen plastic cowl cover completely as i didn't want to remove the wiper arms.  

all i did was remove the rubber trim that goes across, and the black metal clips that hold it down to the engine bay.  then i pried (pivoted) it upwards so i could access the strut top bolts.

i didn't have to remove all 3 bolts on each side.  just 2 out 3 bolts, per side, needs to b removed.

Good to know this fits and works well. It’s something thats on my list.

 

Out of interest, has anyone tried any other bracing, such as below?

 

So I fitted a Hard Race front strut brace a week or so ago. I repainted the blue to a stainless steel metallic as the blue offended my OCD on an otherwise grey and black vehicle!

 

The bar fitted well-ish - it is very snug against the windscreen washer bottle on the left side (as you face it from the front of the engine bay). I had to adjust the washer bottle a fraction to get it all to fit. You will absolutely need a wiper arm removal tool as my wiper arms really didn’t want to come off otherwise. I know JR managed to fit the brace without removing the wipers, and snaps to him for achieving that, but I definitely needed to the whole area clear. 
 

How does it drive? Well, tbh the change seems very minor and certainly not night-and-day like after fitting the rear sway bar, which made a massive improvement to handling. I also fitted a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres a couple of days later, which are definitely cut above the OEM Pirelli P7’s, but probably mask any small improvement from the front strut brace. 
 

Overall, I would recommend the front strut brace, but well down the list after springs, rear sway bar and good tyres first.

agreed, its not a big improvement when compared to the likes of a rear sway bar.

mine being a FWD, I found the turn in much sharper, and the steering felt tighter.

 

as u said - it is not something u should run out and buy as a must have.

i got it for a bargain price from a person who was selling their Superb, otherwise i would not have bothered with it. 

Edited 5 December, 20232 yr by JR RS

Thanks guys, I’m considering it when I get front LCA bushes done. Seems a logical time.

 

Guessing no one has fitted any bracing to the rear?

1 hour ago, rcblur69 said:

Guessing no one has fitted any bracing to the rear?

 

I haven't, and I don't know of anyone who has.

 

Many have done the rear swaybar and that's a massive improvement on its own.

I have the Hardrace rear swaybar on mine.

Cheers. Yes mine is booked in for a 24mm whiteline rear anti roll bar. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the change so looking forward to it.

Hi all,

 

Did anyone find that the strut brace reduced to occasional creak from the sunroof area at all?

 

cheers

3 hours ago, JimmyM said:

Hi all,

 

Did anyone find that the strut brace reduced to occasional creak from the sunroof area at all?

 

cheers

 

I don't have a sunroof, so I can't comment on associated creaks.

On 04/12/2023 at 00:34, rcblur69 said:

Good to know this fits and works well. It’s something thats on my list.

 

Out of interest, has anyone tried any other bracing, such as below?

 

I am curious, too. I am thinking of ordering their bracing kit, including the sway bars, the bar links, strut brace, etc., but not sure if they are worth it. Have you taken the plunge yet?

No not gone for it yet. B6 dampers are on the cards soon so might add the strut brace then.

 

Currently battling with some never noisy rear suspension that’s driving me up the wall, so that needs sorting first.

18 hours ago, doluck said:

I am curious, too. I am thinking of ordering their bracing kit, including the sway bars, the bar links, strut brace, etc., but not sure if they are worth it. Have you taken the plunge yet?

 

I've already got the Hardrace rear swaybar and front strut tower brace.  The swaybars r paired with Whiteline adjustable endlinks.

I'm getting the Hardrace front swaybar fitted in 3 wks.

 

I wouldn't bother with the boot brace, nor the centre underbody brace.

There's quite a bit of flex in cars that can be removed by adding these sort of things.  In my opinion most road going cars will suffer if too much stiffness is added.

1 minute ago, MarkyG82 said:

There's quite a bit of flex in cars that can be removed by adding these sort of things.  In my opinion most road going cars will suffer if too much stiffness is added.

That’s an interesting take on it. Suffer in what way?

 

Don’t most manufacturers boast about increases in chassis stiffness from model to model?

 

I would have expected that increased chassis stiffness reduces cabin creaks and lets the suspension perform better.

 

Now polybushing etc, that adds NVH.

 

 

Media Teams, Journalists and those in a parallel universe on UK 60 mph NSL roads with a max 70 mph limit.

They all love sportiness and handling and ultimate driving machines that corner flat etc.

Then when they get a hard riding crashy car they tell us about it. 

We are not talking BTCC cars here, just people carriers the size often used for Airport Transport or Wedding / Funeral cars. 

Big motors with warm hatch performance. 

Edited 2 September, 20241 yr by Ootohere

Yes completely, I don’t want a Superb BTCC car. But I fail to see why anyone would want more chassis flex? And by that I mean the structure of the car moving around. Given how creaky the interior of a superb can already be, more chassis flex should only make it worse. Whilst less chassis flex should improve it.

 

Rubber bushes, springs and dampers are there to sort the NVH, ride and handling out.

Wheels and tyres as well, and tyre pressures. 

& when they want to stiffen a car and not just brace it then like Hyundai do with a Big Fat car, they strengthen the shell. eg Ionic 5 N.

 

Briskoda member, top motoring journalist, realist.

 

 

Edited 2 September, 20241 yr by Ootohere

To be clear I am not talking about adding flex to a car.  I am talking about adding stiffness.  Unless thought is applied when adding said stiffness you might direct forces to unwanted areas of the chassis without realising it.  This could negatively affect the handling or even the structure of the car.

 

I'm not saying don't do it, just think about what is needed before spending loads on a car.  At the same time, if you know what you are getting and that is what you are after then have at it.  We all like a mod here and there.

5 hours ago, JR RS said:

 

I've already got the Hardrace rear swaybar and front strut tower brace.  The swaybars r paired with Whiteline adjustable endlinks.

I'm getting the Hardrace front swaybar fitted in 3 wks.

 

I wouldn't bother with the boot brace, nor the centre underbody brace.

Cheers for that. I was also not entirely sure about the underbody braces and that seals it. I will order the swaybars, links and tower brace this week. I really hope there will be some (even marginal) gains in rigidity.  

Taiwan have this one and it looks great ...

Front Strut Bar - Skoda Superb -...

Front Strut Bar - Skoda Superb

15 hours ago, kelvinsw said:

Taiwan have this one and it looks great ...

that version is "intrusive" as it sits across the top of and blocks the battery, brake fluid, turbo inlet pipe, and turbo inlet elbow!!

the HP version on the other hand is inside the plastic cowl, tucked nicely out of the way.

I realised, I never posted my experience after I got the braces and links installed. I can't really tell which one made a difference as I installed the rear and front swaybars + the strut brace all at once. The car is definitely a lot sharper in bends and corners about 10-15 km/h faster than before with no effort.

The bar links on the other hand...the front ones are either a bad batch or just bad quality...had to go twice as the nearside kept getting loose. If I had to do it all over again, I won't upgrade the links unless I decide to lower the car beyond what is practical.

Overall, paired Michelin PS4s rubber, it's made the right amount difference in handling and I don't think I lost much on comfort considering our French country roads.