I bought a used UR Strut Tower Brace recently and found that it took 3/8" of washers to raise it high enough to fully clear the engine mount bar. Besides leaving too little of the bolts' threads available to fully engage the nuts, it looked pretty darn precarious sitting up there like that.<p>So, I'm wondering: What else are folks running for strut tower braces?<p>I've done the QBM Strut Bar Conversion but it still looks to me like a real strut tower brace would be beneficial. I'm also beginning to wonder if the QBM Strut Bar Conversion raised the engine mount bar and that is why the UR Strut Tower Brace, when mounted without spacing washers, contacts the engine mount bar.<p>Thoughts?
Aftermarket Strut Tower Braces - What are You Running?
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Re: Aftermarket Strut Tower Braces - What are You Running? (dradernh)
I'm also using the QBM strut bar conversion but I have the VIVA strut bar to go along with it. Zero issues with fitting.<br><A HREF="http://www.vivaperformance.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=81_101&products_id=773" TARGET="_blank">http://www.vivaperformance.com...d=773</A><p>Matt
I'm also using the QBM strut bar conversion but I have the VIVA strut bar to go along with it. Zero issues with fitting.<br><A HREF="http://www.vivaperformance.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=81_101&products_id=773" TARGET="_blank">http://www.vivaperformance.com...d=773</A><p>Matt
Re: (rcaddell)
That <I>is</I> the UR Strut Tower Brace, as show below.<p>I'm wondering if the IPD Upper Engine Stabilizer Mount I installed has caused the engine mount bar to be placed closer to the firewall, thereby causing it to come in contact with the UR Strut Tower Brace. Problems, problems... <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/confused.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>In black,<br><IMG SRC="http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh66/Fast_Eddie_B/URStrutTowerBrace1.jpg" BORDER="0"><br>in white, and<br><IMG SRC="http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh66/Fast_Eddie_B/URStrutTowerBrace2.jpg" BORDER="0"><br>with the QBM Strut Bar Conversion shown underneath the engine mount bar (geez, look at that gap between the two bars!!!).<br><IMG SRC="http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh66/Fast_Eddie_B/URStrutTowerBrace3.jpg" BORDER="0"><BR><BR>
<i>Modified by dradernh at 11:59 AM 8-28-2008</i>
That <I>is</I> the UR Strut Tower Brace, as show below.<p>I'm wondering if the IPD Upper Engine Stabilizer Mount I installed has caused the engine mount bar to be placed closer to the firewall, thereby causing it to come in contact with the UR Strut Tower Brace. Problems, problems... <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/confused.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>In black,<br><IMG SRC="http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh66/Fast_Eddie_B/URStrutTowerBrace1.jpg" BORDER="0"><br>in white, and<br><IMG SRC="http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh66/Fast_Eddie_B/URStrutTowerBrace2.jpg" BORDER="0"><br>with the QBM Strut Bar Conversion shown underneath the engine mount bar (geez, look at that gap between the two bars!!!).<br><IMG SRC="http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh66/Fast_Eddie_B/URStrutTowerBrace3.jpg" BORDER="0"><BR><BR>
<i>Modified by dradernh at 11:59 AM 8-28-2008</i>
Re: (dradernh)
My mistake. I'm still newer to the R's and I have not heard it refered to as the UR Strut Tower Brace. Regardless I had no issues installing it. I don't think the upper engine mount could move the mount bar at all with the solid strut bar conversion kit installed. <p>Matt
My mistake. I'm still newer to the R's and I have not heard it refered to as the UR Strut Tower Brace. Regardless I had no issues installing it. I don't think the upper engine mount could move the mount bar at all with the solid strut bar conversion kit installed. <p>Matt
Re: (mad matt)
I didn't mean to imply that you'd made a mistake; I was actually responding to Randy's response when I pointed out that the two braces are one and the same.<p>Folks on this forum generally refer to some aftermarket parts by the names given to them by their original manufacturers (e.g., UR (of which there are two, by the way - one in the US and one in Malaysia, the latter of which makes this strut bar)) or by the retailer that is selling them. Both IPD and Viva sell QBM parts and those parts will be referred to here as being IPD, Viva, and/or QBM parts. The pictures usually tell the tale. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/smile.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>Anyway, it looks as though I've got further research to do regarding fitting that bar onto my strut towers. I wonder if it fits an S60R with no issues but won't fit a V70R without mickey-mousing it.
I didn't mean to imply that you'd made a mistake; I was actually responding to Randy's response when I pointed out that the two braces are one and the same.<p>Folks on this forum generally refer to some aftermarket parts by the names given to them by their original manufacturers (e.g., UR (of which there are two, by the way - one in the US and one in Malaysia, the latter of which makes this strut bar)) or by the retailer that is selling them. Both IPD and Viva sell QBM parts and those parts will be referred to here as being IPD, Viva, and/or QBM parts. The pictures usually tell the tale. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/smile.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>Anyway, it looks as though I've got further research to do regarding fitting that bar onto my strut towers. I wonder if it fits an S60R with no issues but won't fit a V70R without mickey-mousing it.
Re: (dradernh)
I didn't take it that way at all, I just didn't know, but now I do. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/biggrin.gif" BORDER="0"> Have you tried emailing George at Viva? He might be able to get you going in the right direction, or atleast offer some sort of suggestion to get the strut brace up and running. <p>Matt
I didn't take it that way at all, I just didn't know, but now I do. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/biggrin.gif" BORDER="0"> Have you tried emailing George at Viva? He might be able to get you going in the right direction, or atleast offer some sort of suggestion to get the strut brace up and running. <p>Matt
Re: (mad matt)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>mad matt</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Have you tried emailing George at Viva? He might be able to get you going in the right direction, or atleast offer some sort of suggestion to get the strut brace up and running. Matt</TD></TR></TABLE><br>Not a bad idea as I'm sure George has already heard most of what there is to be heard about this brace.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>mad matt</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Have you tried emailing George at Viva? He might be able to get you going in the right direction, or atleast offer some sort of suggestion to get the strut brace up and running. Matt</TD></TR></TABLE><br>Not a bad idea as I'm sure George has already heard most of what there is to be heard about this brace.
Re: (dradernh)
This is waaaay overkill in my opinion - having both the QBM strutbar conversion and the strut tower bar. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0"> <br>I did the "Bob Villa" conversion - using washer to essentiall remove the play and mate the engine mount bar to the strut towers. It worked perfectly! I felt an immediate difference and was simply impressed, especially since it only cost me 1/100th the cost of the QBM conversion!!! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/eek.gif" BORDER="0">
This is waaaay overkill in my opinion - having both the QBM strutbar conversion and the strut tower bar. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0"> <br>I did the "Bob Villa" conversion - using washer to essentiall remove the play and mate the engine mount bar to the strut towers. It worked perfectly! I felt an immediate difference and was simply impressed, especially since it only cost me 1/100th the cost of the QBM conversion!!! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/eek.gif" BORDER="0">
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Re: Aftermarket Strut Tower Braces - What are You Running? (mad matt)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>mad matt</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm also using the QBM strut bar conversion but I have the VIVA strut bar to go along with it. Zero issues with fitting.<br><A HREF="http://www.vivaperformance.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=81_101&products_id=773" TARGET="_blank">http://www.vivaperformance.com...d=773</A><p>Matt</TD></TR></TABLE><br>You must have bought a later one.<br>The early one have issues. You have to raise it a little bit (washers) and tape a small piece of foam on the back as when the engine torques, it his the other bar slightly.<br>Not a lot of choices here to choose from <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/rolleyes.gif" BORDER="0">
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>mad matt</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm also using the QBM strut bar conversion but I have the VIVA strut bar to go along with it. Zero issues with fitting.<br><A HREF="http://www.vivaperformance.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=81_101&products_id=773" TARGET="_blank">http://www.vivaperformance.com...d=773</A><p>Matt</TD></TR></TABLE><br>You must have bought a later one.<br>The early one have issues. You have to raise it a little bit (washers) and tape a small piece of foam on the back as when the engine torques, it his the other bar slightly.<br>Not a lot of choices here to choose from <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/rolleyes.gif" BORDER="0">
Re: Aftermarket Strut Tower Braces - What are You Running? (JRL)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>JRL</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"><br>You must have bought a later one.<br>The early one have issues. You have to raise it a little bit (washers) and tape a small piece of foam on the back as when the engine torques, it his the other bar slightly.<br>Not a lot of choices here to choose from <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/rolleyes.gif" BORDER="0"> </TD></TR></TABLE><p>Yeah, I just bought it 3 weeks ago or so. I was originally only going to get the UR strut brace but George at Viva recommended that I do the Conversion kit as well as to not have issues with the engine brace rubbing the strut brace. I figured he knows better then me so I went with what he said. <p>Back to the issue at hand, so raising the brace with washers will fix the OP issue?<p>Matt
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>JRL</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"><br>You must have bought a later one.<br>The early one have issues. You have to raise it a little bit (washers) and tape a small piece of foam on the back as when the engine torques, it his the other bar slightly.<br>Not a lot of choices here to choose from <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/rolleyes.gif" BORDER="0"> </TD></TR></TABLE><p>Yeah, I just bought it 3 weeks ago or so. I was originally only going to get the UR strut brace but George at Viva recommended that I do the Conversion kit as well as to not have issues with the engine brace rubbing the strut brace. I figured he knows better then me so I went with what he said. <p>Back to the issue at hand, so raising the brace with washers will fix the OP issue?<p>Matt
Re: (art_werks)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>art_werks</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This is waaaay overkill...</TD></TR></TABLE><br>What is <I>that</I>; I've never heard of it before. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/tongue.gif" BORDER="0"> <p><TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>mad matt</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...so raising the brace with washers will fix the OP issue?</TD></TR></TABLE><br>Some folks have gotten away with a raise of only 1/4"; at 3/8" on my car, it was simply too high. The part of the brace designed to sit flush against the strut tower was sitting 3/8" in the air, connected to the tower only by the diameter of two stacks of 7/8"-wide washers. Not <I>nearly</I> enough, IMO. Even if the bolts had been long enough to fasten the nuts securely, I believe they would eventually have broken and I think (not sure here) that would have left me buying one or two new struts at gawd knows what price. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/eek.gif" BORDER="0">
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>art_werks</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This is waaaay overkill...</TD></TR></TABLE><br>What is <I>that</I>; I've never heard of it before. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/tongue.gif" BORDER="0"> <p><TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>mad matt</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...so raising the brace with washers will fix the OP issue?</TD></TR></TABLE><br>Some folks have gotten away with a raise of only 1/4"; at 3/8" on my car, it was simply too high. The part of the brace designed to sit flush against the strut tower was sitting 3/8" in the air, connected to the tower only by the diameter of two stacks of 7/8"-wide washers. Not <I>nearly</I> enough, IMO. Even if the bolts had been long enough to fasten the nuts securely, I believe they would eventually have broken and I think (not sure here) that would have left me buying one or two new struts at gawd knows what price. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/eek.gif" BORDER="0">
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