WTB: Strut Brace
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From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
WTB: Strut Brace
Yes folks, I'm back on a quest for unobtanium. Since I have a Cabriolet, I also have a bit of cowl shake because the car is, after all, a cut down coupe. It occurred to me that the additional stiffness of a strut brace might mellow that out a bit. A little searching showed that these are somewhat rare and hard to find, so I thought I would throw a feeler out there. Anyone with one that is taking up space on the garage floor?
Thanks in advance,
- FD
Thanks in advance,
- FD
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From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
Yes folks, I'm back on a quest for unobtanium. Since I have a Cabriolet, I also have a bit of cowl shake because the car is, after all, a cut down coupe. It occurred to me that the additional stiffness of a strut brace might mellow that out a bit. A little searching showed that these are somewhat rare and hard to find, so I thought I would throw a feeler out there. Anyone with one that is taking up space on the garage floor?
Thanks in advance,
- FD
Thanks in advance,
- FD
About ten+ of us have strut braces on order that are being custom made.
Not sure if a strut brace will help you..
Obvious that you have something seriously wrong if you realize cowl shake.
I have a 94 A124 and it is as solid as my 1988 C124.
Do you have the dampener installed on top of your shock tower ?
Ed A.
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From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
Ed -
Thanks, I will search that.
The cowl shake I'm referring to is bump related not speed related. As with any convertible the body just doesn't have as much torsional rigidity, so there is some body flex over bumps. My SL also has a bit of this too, and in fact, the e320 is actually a little tighter than the SL is with the hard top off. I just wanted to see if I could reduce it further.
The rubber anti-vibration damper is in place and the rubber "spider" is in tact. The wheels/tires are new & balanced.
Thanks, I will search that.
The cowl shake I'm referring to is bump related not speed related. As with any convertible the body just doesn't have as much torsional rigidity, so there is some body flex over bumps. My SL also has a bit of this too, and in fact, the e320 is actually a little tighter than the SL is with the hard top off. I just wanted to see if I could reduce it further.
The rubber anti-vibration damper is in place and the rubber "spider" is in tact. The wheels/tires are new & balanced.
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From: New Zealand
1996 E320 Sportline Cabriolet x 2
I had a wobble in the blue car and it was really bugging me. I bought another car exactly the same but with 40,000 miles on it, IT DOESN'T WOBBLE like the blue car . So, I am now of the opinion the wobble is suspension, bushes and shock related - NOT chassis design related.
If you are up over 100,000 miles I would be looking at suspension components to reduce the wobble AND possibly a more compliant tyre - this is from first hand experience. Green car is on P6's, Blue is on Conti Comfort Contact-1's, standard sizes for Sportline cars. Bog standard cars the pair of them, RHD so not even a vibration damper on the suspension turret.
If you are up over 100,000 miles I would be looking at suspension components to reduce the wobble AND possibly a more compliant tyre - this is from first hand experience. Green car is on P6's, Blue is on Conti Comfort Contact-1's, standard sizes for Sportline cars. Bog standard cars the pair of them, RHD so not even a vibration damper on the suspension turret.
Thread Starter
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From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
- FD
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From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
I checked out that thread. I had found that thread before when I was doing some initial searching. I didn't follow up at that time (in spite of how cool that strut brace looks) because there didn't seem to be a version for the Cabriolet. After a little more research, it looks like Cab owners may be s.o.l. on a brace. But it did get me thinking - perhaps a strut brace would eliminate the need for the "vibration absorber" on the left strut tower since the structural rectangle would be completed by the brace. Does anyone who is getting one of these have both a Cab and either a Coupe/Sedan to try that out? Could be interesting.
- FD
- FD
Only one that I know that makes the bar is Weichers in Germany, but not sure if they make for the cab.
The strut brace will stiffen the engine bay / chassis laterally.
The vibration dampener is "tuned" to isolate at a certain frequency.
What is the condition of your struts and strut mounts along with all the rubber bushes in the front suspension?
As I earlier posted I have zero "cowl shake" in my 45K mile 1994 A124...every bit as solid as my 67K mile 1988 C124.
Ed A.
Last edited by RBYCC; Jun 23, 2010 at 07:28 AM.
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From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
That's too bad about the accident. Loss of a digit, especially a thumb, would be very traumatic.
I am replacing the struts/strut mounts prophylacticaly - in fact I'm trying to confirm the Bilstein HD strut part numbers on another thread. I have checked all the other tie-points (ball joints, bushings, etc) and they are in good shape.
I agree about the vibration dampener being a tuned device, which is why I mentioned that this is not a speed issue. The reason I thought a brace might eliminate it is because the brace will change (lower) the characteristic frequency of the chassis, perhaps to the point where the vibration (resonance) that the damper is supposed to counter does not occur or does not occur at normal driving speeds (the factory resonance seems to be at about 60 - 65 MPH).
Getting back to the torsional rigidity, the way you can really feel what I'm talking about is to put the palm of your hand on the upper corner of the windshield / A pillar and your elbow on the top of the door while driving with the top down. Effectively your arm is forming the side of a triangle. When you go over a bump you can feel the flex in the frame because the side of that "triangle" formed by your arm gets shorter/longer as the body twists.
Anyway, It was thought, but it looks like a brace may be much more trouble than it's worth.
I will post what happens with the strut change. The reason I'm going with the Bilstein HD's is because I think the additional un-sprung weight of the monblocks is hard for the OEM "comfort" struts to control.
Thanks,
- FD
I am replacing the struts/strut mounts prophylacticaly - in fact I'm trying to confirm the Bilstein HD strut part numbers on another thread. I have checked all the other tie-points (ball joints, bushings, etc) and they are in good shape.
I agree about the vibration dampener being a tuned device, which is why I mentioned that this is not a speed issue. The reason I thought a brace might eliminate it is because the brace will change (lower) the characteristic frequency of the chassis, perhaps to the point where the vibration (resonance) that the damper is supposed to counter does not occur or does not occur at normal driving speeds (the factory resonance seems to be at about 60 - 65 MPH).
Getting back to the torsional rigidity, the way you can really feel what I'm talking about is to put the palm of your hand on the upper corner of the windshield / A pillar and your elbow on the top of the door while driving with the top down. Effectively your arm is forming the side of a triangle. When you go over a bump you can feel the flex in the frame because the side of that "triangle" formed by your arm gets shorter/longer as the body twists.
Anyway, It was thought, but it looks like a brace may be much more trouble than it's worth.
I will post what happens with the strut change. The reason I'm going with the Bilstein HD's is because I think the additional un-sprung weight of the monblocks is hard for the OEM "comfort" struts to control.
Thanks,
- FD
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From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
Finally found a W124 strut brace 
Sparco makes one and had only one in stock in their California warehouse....
Arrived yesterday !!!
Sparco makes one and had only one in stock in their California warehouse....
Arrived yesterday !!!
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From: So Cal
92 500e, 95 E34 525I Touring
Nice find Ed! You need it more than most I suppose. What was the price? Were you able to determine their prerequisites to produce more? (ie: minimum number of orders, or if they will make them at all)
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From: British Columbia, Canada
1987 560SL
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From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
Sparco doesn't show the "X Brace" on their website.
Listing starts on page 7 of the below old price list
http://www.sparcousa.com/2003_USA_Price_List.pdf
Give them a call at 1-800-224-7223.
I spoke to "Allen" who confirmed part number as 03694.
They had one in stock.
Ordered it through OG Racing in Sterling VA ( Brian 1-800-934-9112 ) who was recommended by Sparco as their largest East Coast distributor.
Price was $299.00 delivered, polished aluminum, adjustable and weighs about 5LBS.
Will try to fit it soon and see if the outer firewall/bulkhead has to be notched.
I would think if it is catalogued they will make to order if there is no available inventory.
Ed
Listing starts on page 7 of the below old price list
http://www.sparcousa.com/2003_USA_Price_List.pdf
Give them a call at 1-800-224-7223.
I spoke to "Allen" who confirmed part number as 03694.
They had one in stock.
Ordered it through OG Racing in Sterling VA ( Brian 1-800-934-9112 ) who was recommended by Sparco as their largest East Coast distributor.
Price was $299.00 delivered, polished aluminum, adjustable and weighs about 5LBS.
Will try to fit it soon and see if the outer firewall/bulkhead has to be notched.
I would think if it is catalogued they will make to order if there is no available inventory.
Ed
Last edited by RBYCC; Jun 30, 2010 at 12:59 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,028
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From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
- FD
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,494
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From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
Member
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,494
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From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
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From: Long Beach, Ca
lots of cars
I've been looking at a lot of strut braces and the only thing that needs to be made is the mounting brackets. I've found a machine shop that can fabricate the mounting brackets, but the first ones cost about 120-200 depending how many hours it takes to make. The shop charges about 60/hr for prototype work.
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From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
Technically, yes. The issue is the vibration absorber. But if this is removed, a the cab becomes the same as a coupe/sedan, so the brace should fit. The hypothesis that I want to test is this: If the vibration absorber is removed AND and strut brace is installed, will the increased torsional rigidity provided by the strut brace negate the need for the vibration absorber?
My theory is that the vibration absorber is a kludge, added to deal with a chassis resonance that popped up as a result of the "chop" operation for converting a coupe to a cabriolet. Anything that changes the fundamental frequencies of the chassis has the potential to eliminate (or to worsen) the resonance that required the "fix" in the first place. I would not be surprised if MB evaluated various bracing options before deciding that the damper was an easier (cheaper?) solution.
BTW, I just got back from Europe where many a W124 wagon is still doing taxi duty.
- FD
My theory is that the vibration absorber is a kludge, added to deal with a chassis resonance that popped up as a result of the "chop" operation for converting a coupe to a cabriolet. Anything that changes the fundamental frequencies of the chassis has the potential to eliminate (or to worsen) the resonance that required the "fix" in the first place. I would not be surprised if MB evaluated various bracing options before deciding that the damper was an easier (cheaper?) solution.
BTW, I just got back from Europe where many a W124 wagon is still doing taxi duty.
- FD
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From: Boise ID
1995 E300d
Some fab work
I have made a steel strut bar and rear upper and lower braces like on sparco website. I will post some pics but would be interested in making the same for other people. Looks very similar to the weichers bar but steel and round tube.
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