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Strut braces are relatively easy to fit, requiring no specialist tools or mechanical knowledge. However, every brace is different, and they fit slightly differently to each car, so here follows a basic set of instructions, which should work in most cases. If in doubt, consult a qualified mechanic. Some of the more complicated to fit braces are supplied with fitting instructions.
Front Upper Brace
The most common type of brace fits across the top of the engine bay between the upper suspension mounting points, almost directly under the windscreen.
- park the car on a flat surface. Switch off the ignition. Open the bonnet and disconnect the battery.
- place the brace roughly where it should fit, if it looks hideously wrong, turn it round, a common mistake :-)
- carefully remove any engine components that are needed to be taken off to fit the brace.
- check that the holes in the brace match up to the bolts on the car on the strut turrets, if not, adjust the width of the brace by
slackening off the two nuts either side of the adjuster "bolt" then turn the adjuster bolt to make the brace wider or narrower. Try
to keep both ends flat when turning the centre adjuster nut - this pushes the ends out evenly.
- If your brace is supplied with screws to fit to the car, then adjust the width, and drill/screw where the fitment seems best, being careful not to drill near to cables/wires or any engine components.
- undo the nuts on the top of the turrets, fit the brace over the bolts which are standing vertically, then tighten them to hold everything together, back over the brace.
- use the adjuster nut in the centre, to take up any slack, this should push outwards. Do not overtighten the brace as this can lead to upward flexing in the middle part of the brace.
- tighten off the nuts at the top of the turrets (do not overtighten, as they are liable to breaking), then tighten off the two locking nuts either side of the adjuster.
- place your hands on the brace and pull it firmly in all directions to ensure there is no slack anywhere, and that it is not catching any components.
- refit any engine components removed at the beginning. Check engine bay for tools (who has not left a spanner there before!) and reconnect the battery.
- close the bonnet slowly - checking to make sure there is clearance at the top.
- take the car for a quick road test to check for any knocks or vibrations.
The front lower braces fit on the lower suspension mounting points. These are usually the wishbone bolts. When fitted the lower brace will probably be the lowest part on your car. In that respect, they are not suitable for excessively lowered cars.
- park the car on a flat surface and safely jack the car.
- work out exactly where the brace goes on your suspension, by trial fitting it, if in doubt, perhaps ask a friend to look to - should be fairly obvious where to fit...
- remove the nuts needed to fit the brace, making sure that everything should stay in the same place!
- put the brace on, and retighten the nuts to the same torque.
- remember to think about the brace if you park on a curb or go over speed bumps! They may catch the floor but its not usually a problem and will only cause a few scratches to the brace.
The rear upper strut braces fit on the upper rear strut tops usually located inside the boot of your car. When fitted these rear braces will usually fit across the middle of your boot area.
- these will fit very similarly to the braces above - trial fit, remove nuts, fit, and tighten everything back up.
