ANYONE add STRUT TOWER BRACE?
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Note our W203’s MacPherson strut towers are remarkably stout as engineered.
Witness documented TÜV/IIHS sacrificial frontal crash tests or MB’s original lateral and torsional strength criteria for validation.
There is far more NVH axial and radial compliance designed into the OE strut mounts that ought to first be addressed.
Witness documented TÜV/IIHS sacrificial frontal crash tests or MB’s original lateral and torsional strength criteria for validation.
There is far more NVH axial and radial compliance designed into the OE strut mounts that ought to first be addressed.
Thread Starter
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From: NE. TN
06 C350 sport 6MT
" There is far more NVH axial and radial compliance designed into the OE strut mounts that ought to first be addressed " per Splinter. SAY WHAT!!
i highly respect splinters expertise, so maybe im barking up the wrong tree with thought of adding a strut brace. so, splinter how would i decrease NVH axial and radial compliance on kw v2 coilover struts mounts to make steering response sharper?? thanx, mike
i highly respect splinters expertise, so maybe im barking up the wrong tree with thought of adding a strut brace. so, splinter how would i decrease NVH axial and radial compliance on kw v2 coilover struts mounts to make steering response sharper?? thanx, mike
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From: Ontario, Canada
2002 C32 AMG
There isn't much room to play with in the back where a strut brace could be mounted. My fabricator is going to look into making a custom one for me. With all the bends and thin material needed to squeeze through the tight spaces, it might not even be worth while to make one.
BTW, splinter just means that the front strut mount is already quite "beefy" and a strut bar may not be needed. It's far more important to address the issues of the front suspension components. The flex you describe may be comming from the suspension and not the chassis. Personally, with my C55 suspension, I don't notice much flex. The car is very solid and corners like it's on rails. The chassis is really quite solid. Look into replacing suspension bushings or worn parts. On car like BMW's, x-braces are used to stiffen up the chassis. This connects the subframe to the mid-chassis under the car. I had a custom "v" shaped brace made for the SAAB, it made a significant difference. If you want to reduce front end flex, this is really the way to go. i haven't looked under the car lately, I'll ask my fabricator if anything can be made.
Bry
BTW, splinter just means that the front strut mount is already quite "beefy" and a strut bar may not be needed. It's far more important to address the issues of the front suspension components. The flex you describe may be comming from the suspension and not the chassis. Personally, with my C55 suspension, I don't notice much flex. The car is very solid and corners like it's on rails. The chassis is really quite solid. Look into replacing suspension bushings or worn parts. On car like BMW's, x-braces are used to stiffen up the chassis. This connects the subframe to the mid-chassis under the car. I had a custom "v" shaped brace made for the SAAB, it made a significant difference. If you want to reduce front end flex, this is really the way to go. i haven't looked under the car lately, I'll ask my fabricator if anything can be made.
Bry
Last edited by Autotechnica; Apr 4, 2011 at 02:04 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Ontario, Canada
2002 C32 AMG
The braces I'm talking about are mounted under the car. These were far more effective than any strut brace. However, when a strut brace was used in combination with the X-brace on my BMW, the car honestly felt race car stiff.
If there are some good holes for mounting points, something like this could be fabricated to work with the merc. Nutserts would have to be used for threading the holes. This was an original peice made by BMW Motorsport used in the BMW E36 M3 LTW limited edition as well as convertable models.
If there are some good holes for mounting points, something like this could be fabricated to work with the merc. Nutserts would have to be used for threading the holes. This was an original peice made by BMW Motorsport used in the BMW E36 M3 LTW limited edition as well as convertable models.
Last edited by Autotechnica; Apr 5, 2011 at 08:18 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: NE. TN
06 C350 sport 6MT
thanx for the photo, makes more sense now, interested to see what your fabricator says, curious what bmw unit cost, sounds like under brace is the most effective but i wonder if the strut brace would do a goo job and be more readily accessable/easier to manufacture and at a significant cost differential. mike
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
rollnn has one. forgot who made it, but you can ask him.
i think the x-brace only existed for the e36 convertible which you can bolt it to the sedan or coupe as well, but they added the x-brace for the convertible because when they chopped the top off the chassi became very weak. one of my friend still has his e36 m3 sedan and still drives great.
i think the x-brace only existed for the e36 convertible which you can bolt it to the sedan or coupe as well, but they added the x-brace for the convertible because when they chopped the top off the chassi became very weak. one of my friend still has his e36 m3 sedan and still drives great.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Ontario, Canada
2002 C32 AMG
rollnn has one. forgot who made it, but you can ask him.
i think the x-brace only existed for the e36 convertible which you can bolt it to the sedan or coupe as well, but they added the x-brace for the convertible because when they chopped the top off the chassi became very weak. one of my friend still has his e36 m3 sedan and still drives great.
i think the x-brace only existed for the e36 convertible which you can bolt it to the sedan or coupe as well, but they added the x-brace for the convertible because when they chopped the top off the chassi became very weak. one of my friend still has his e36 m3 sedan and still drives great.
Anyways, a "V" shaped (not as strong as the X) reinforcement was used on my SAAB and a Square shaped reinforcement was used on my Volvo. I know a thing or two about reducing chassis flex. My car is going to be hoisted up this weekend. I'll let you guys know what I come up with.
BTW, rollnn has a lower chassis brace or a strut brace?
Last edited by Autotechnica; Apr 5, 2011 at 11:46 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Ontario, Canada
2002 C32 AMG
thanx for the photo, makes more sense now, interested to see what your fabricator says, curious what bmw unit cost, sounds like under brace is the most effective but i wonder if the strut brace would do a goo job and be more readily accessable/easier to manufacture and at a significant cost differential. mike
Last edited by Autotechnica; Apr 5, 2011 at 11:36 PM.
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Multiple
If I remember right from my E46 M3 days, the front strut brace was very functional while rear didn't add much value. That was specific to M3, but just saying.
I'm in for a front brace group buy if one is put together.
I'm in for a front brace group buy if one is put together.
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
2010 Mercedes-Benz E350
On my E30 (sedan) I noticed a HUGE difference when I installed the tower brace. I'm very interested in this, even though I'm just going to be using it for spirited street driving.
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From: So Cal... In between LA and OC
2005 CLK320 Vert & 2005 CLK55 AMG
Hey Guys,
here are a few pics of my front strut bar:
I did notice a slight difference when i installed it but it was minimal. The rear sway bar helped out a lot. Maybe once i get my front sway, the 2 together will make a major difference. Im also running on Tein coilovers with about 80k miles, i can tell they are getting a little soft, so that might be a factor too...
here are a few pics of my front strut bar:
I did notice a slight difference when i installed it but it was minimal. The rear sway bar helped out a lot. Maybe once i get my front sway, the 2 together will make a major difference. Im also running on Tein coilovers with about 80k miles, i can tell they are getting a little soft, so that might be a factor too...
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 347
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From: Ontario, Canada
2002 C32 AMG
I don't think that would fit on the C32. there isn't as much clearence as the 230k. Also, that strut brace looks like it would have a lot of flex. It doesn't have nearly enough mounting points to the chassis. The most effective strut bars are the ones with the fewest fittings. Eg. just welded at the ends and bolted to the strut tower. This one looks like what's typically offered by companies like "Vibrant" or "ractive" for the Japanese market. Thanks for the pics though.
bry
bry
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Joined: Feb 2006
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LET C32 2002
Hey Guys,
here are a few pics of my front strut bar:
I did notice a slight difference when i installed it but it was minimal. The rear sway bar helped out a lot. Maybe once i get my front sway, the 2 together will make a major difference. Im also running on Tein coilovers with about 80k miles, i can tell they are getting a little soft, so that might be a factor too...
here are a few pics of my front strut bar:
I did notice a slight difference when i installed it but it was minimal. The rear sway bar helped out a lot. Maybe once i get my front sway, the 2 together will make a major difference. Im also running on Tein coilovers with about 80k miles, i can tell they are getting a little soft, so that might be a factor too...
it be nice if it fit the C32
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From: Toronto, Canada
2003 C32
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From: New mexico
2005 E55 AMG
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Toronto, Canada
2003 C32
