Hi guys, im just after some advice from anyone thats fitted a top strut brace to an Octy Mk1 previously. I now have mine but the top of the suspension towers require drilling for the strut brace bolts.

Previous cars have been a simple case of unscrew the existing top bolts, add brace, replace and tighten bolts.

Im a little nervous of drilling as the top of the damper must reside failry close to the underneath of the tower that will be drilled through.

Any help/advice greatfully recieved as I'd like to get it done this weekend.

Cheers,

Lee

i fitted mine myself, line it up and mark the holes then carefully drill it, try and drill more upright than towards the shock and be careful is all i can say really

You won't hit anything when the drill goes through. However fitting the bolts can be fun - not much room for fingers underneath there. Buy a couple of drill bits, the metal is several layers thick and takes a long time to drill through.

A few pics in my gallery

I wussed out and got the dealer to fit mine

Has it made a big difference to the handling??

It definitely stiffens things up a fair bit.

Fitting a rear brace (ARB) makes a bigger difference.

Has anyone fitted the front brace using threaded nut inserts (Avdel rivnuts or similar) so that it can all be bolted on from the top and easily removed??

As Bengie says lay it on the top, double check your markings before drilling.... Unlike others i have used stainless allen bolts going from the top down so that the nuts are underneath, bit of a pain to get at though.

HTH

Phil

my nuts are down below also phil

my nuts are down below also phil

Good to hear

If you want more room to get into the underside of the turret simply jack the car up and support on axle stands and undo the top 21mm nut allowing the strut to drop down.

note that you will need a swan neck 21mm spanner and possibly another socket or allen key to hold the centre still i think