strut brace What are they and what do they do?

[craig0031]

Been looking through the pictures of other members cars and they look pretty cool under the bonnet, just wondering what there actually for and what they do? are they hard to fit etc.. thanks

[VRS 203]

To stop flex/roll between wings and suspension components, stiffen up the handeing.

Not hard to fit.

[TommyC]

Originally Posted by VRS 203

To stop flex/roll between wings and suspension components, stiffen up the handleing.

Not hard to fit.

Can't remember who, but someone on here has compared them to Nail Varnish. Look pretty but prevent you form doing anything practical (under the bonnet because it gets in the way).

[Lofty86]

I wouldnt bother to be fair.
Dont do a lot unless your tracking your car every other weekend.

Fabia chassis is fairly stiff anyway.

HTH. Dave

[lewisgraham]

Since i fitted my coilovers and strut brace there is a HUGE diference

dont know exactly how much the strut brace does though

[Lofty86]

It will be the coily's making the difference.
Fit a strut brace on its own, and you wont notice bog all... Apart from the hole in your wallet.
Dave

[jasc1988]

I noticed a difference


Wont go into it as everyone will try to prove me wrong. But IMO anything that helps the Fabia's handling no matter how small or minute is a benefit < i dont think theres any argument to that

[djswivel]

I also noticed a difference - the steering seemed to be a bit "tighter". But yes, mostly they do look really good. Combine one with some Eibach springs and a RARB, you'll be well away.

[mathepac]

Originally Posted by TommyC

Can't remember who, but someone on here has compared them to Nail Varnish. Look pretty but prevent you form doing anything practical (under the bonnet because it gets in the way).

Guilty as charged, 'twas me (or I).

Took mine off before the trip to the 'Ring, ran it around both tracks, car handled like a dream without it.

Girlie mod, useless IME. Spend your money on good suspension and rear ARB.

[KTP]

i noticed a huge difference from the moment i fitted mine, i drive it fairly hard and find it goes round bends with a lot more confidence. well worth fitting in my opinion, rest of my suspension is standard at the moment but that will change soon enough.

[VeeKar]

I definiteley noticed a difference with mine but like mathepac says above, you dont actually need it like you need an antiroll bar and its this that should be first on the list if you have a standard car

on the subject I have a lower brace sat in kitchen waiting to be fitted - it certainly looks good have read on here you should do both, guess i will find out

[dxg]

Hawthorne effect.

Having said that if my insurance situation would allow it, I'd have one!

[craig0031]

Originally Posted by dxg

Hawthorne effect.

Having said that if my insurance situation would allow it, I'd have one!

Do you have to tell your insurance if you fit one damn...? just for my non std alloys and induction kit they added £200 - ********

[oilburninnut]

yes you need to tell the insurance about every mod,and the rear strut brace makes much more of a difference,

[L-Y-K]

Originally Posted by craig0031

Do you have to tell your insurance if you fit one damn...? just for my non std alloys and induction kit they added £200 - ********

I told my insurance company, they said if it doesnt improve the performance of the engine. anythin i add would be covered. thats odd how one insurance company can do one thing and the other does it their way...

but yeah it stifend the front end alot! it was more crashy over potholes but it kept the tread even, and the tracking never went out. nice and sharp around twisty roads. with it off its alot more spongey i think thats the only way to describe it.

[kemputy]

thinkin of gettin one aswell but does it cause problems if u have an accident

[nikos]

It is supposed not to cause problem if you put an aluminum one, cos it will break in case of accident, not harming the car more than the accident will.

[Decron]

Originally Posted by nikos

It is supposed not to cause problem if you put an aluminum one, cos it will break in case of accident, not harming the car more than the accident will.

Did your mate down the pub tell you that?

Think about what it is and what it does and it will become clearer and besides, if you have an acident that is going to cause any damage to the bar it's likely it's going to be very serious and the srut brace will be the last of your worries.

You need to tell your insurance company as it's a suspension mod. It will also do very little to the handling of the car unless you really push it. You wouldn't notice you had put it on on your average trip to the shops. For the majority of people it's more an asthetic mod.