Strut Brace Bushes - Page 5

Brams · Sep 2nd, 2013, 20:45

I've just got a 200x500x6mm piece of steel so I can start cutting out & welding the strut mounts for the brace. Next thing to order is the oval tubing but it only comes in 3m or 6m lengths :{

TLPower · Sep 2nd, 2013, 21:08

May I pass on some hard earned wisdom. When welding DO NOT wear crocks and shorts. The sparklers have a very easy path to your feet, crucially
the gaps between your toes.......

The pain, the pain.

JameseT5 · Sep 2nd, 2013, 21:18

[QUOTE=Brams;1463874]After reading a few things online & feeling my strut brace had a bit much play in it I ordered a Poly Bush Strut Brace Tensioning Kit from Powerflex (PFF88-614).

It stiffened up the play but I don't know whether the Upper Engine Mount (cross shaped) needs replacing. There is some marking on the bracket from what looks to be excessive play. Should I change his as well as the small bush at the back?

On a lighter note here's my new grille I made.

[/QUOTE

Change the main bush as well, I've done my top mount and strut brace tension bushes with Powerflex Black Series.

kymg · Sep 3rd, 2013, 12:34

I am not an expert metallurgist and so my comments are general in nature only, but not all steels are the same - mild, hardened, high tensile etc. Be careful about the type of steel you use for this type of modification.

What might be good for building a shed and purchased from the local bloke may not be at all satisfactory for this type of construction.

Just be a bit careful.

Otherwise good to see ingenuity at it finest.

Cheers

The Thong · Sep 3rd, 2013, 23:12

Does stiffening the cross strut really make that much of a difference?

TT

wise old monkey · Sep 5th, 2013, 17:45

how did you get the powerflex bushes in, ive get them delivered but cant see how they fit, what am i missing, mine is a mk2 v70

Brams · Sep 5th, 2013, 19:04

Basically undo the bolt going through the bar & aluminium part then undo the ali part from the car. Push the new poly bush in under like you can see & tap it home with a rubber mallet or similar. Refit the ali part to the car & then refit the bolt adding the new washer over the poly bush (cup side towards the bush). As you tighten the bolt up it will pull the bush & washer into their correct place. Job done.

PS: I took apart & reassembled one side at a time.

Brams · Sep 5th, 2013, 19:11

I've cut out one side of the support so far & the upright bit but I can't go any further as the sis-in-law has borrowed the car to get the the isle of white so I cant fit things for measurements

& I've gone through 3 cutting discs already on the one side!
I'm bending the 6mm x 50mm x 200mm upright part on my home made 2 tonne press but it sheared a bolt today while using it so I'm replacing the 10mm bolt with some 14mm threaded bar & also changing the lower brace part with some u-channel steel which will make it all stronger. I'll post pics of what I mean when I get them tomorrow.

wise old monkey · Sep 5th, 2013, 19:16

theres no gap for it to fit, is there different types of brackets?

Brams · Sep 5th, 2013, 19:27

Can you post a pic of the under side of the ali part removed? There should be a gap which the purple poly bush fits into.

Sep 3rd, 2013, 23:12	#45
The Thong VOC Member Last Online: Today 17:58 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: The Independent Republic of Leamington Spa	Does stiffening the cross strut really make that much of a difference? TT __________________ Never underestimate the power of stupid. It’ can’t be reasoned or negotiated with and you’ll never never beat it…. Cut your losses, smile and walk away Currently Volvoless but Thong will be back

Sep 2nd, 2013, 20:45	#41
Brams Junior Member Last Online: Mar 13th, 2023 05:17 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Canterbury	I've just got a 200x500x6mm piece of steel so I can start cutting out & welding the strut mounts for the brace. Next thing to order is the oval tubing but it only comes in 3m or 6m lengths :{

Sep 2nd, 2013, 21:08	#42
TLPower Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 10:16 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Doncaster	May I pass on some hard earned wisdom. When welding DO NOT wear crocks and shorts. The sparklers have a very easy path to your feet, crucially the gaps between your toes....... The pain, the pain.

Sep 2nd, 2013, 21:18	#43
JameseT5 Hyper-car-driac Last Online: May 19th, 2015 21:39 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brecon	[QUOTE=Brams;1463874]After reading a few things online & feeling my strut brace had a bit much play in it I ordered a Poly Bush Strut Brace Tensioning Kit from Powerflex (PFF88-614). It stiffened up the play but I don't know whether the Upper Engine Mount (cross shaped) needs replacing. There is some marking on the bracket from what looks to be excessive play. Should I change his as well as the small bush at the back? On a lighter note here's my new grille I made. [/QUOTE Change the main bush as well, I've done my top mount and strut brace tension bushes with Powerflex Black Series.

Sep 3rd, 2013, 12:34	#44
kymg Junior Member Last Online: Apr 19th, 2024 23:56 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The Clare Valley	I am not an expert metallurgist and so my comments are general in nature only, but not all steels are the same - mild, hardened, high tensile etc. Be careful about the type of steel you use for this type of modification. What might be good for building a shed and purchased from the local bloke may not be at all satisfactory for this type of construction. Just be a bit careful. Otherwise good to see ingenuity at it finest. Cheers

Sep 5th, 2013, 17:45	#46
wise old monkey Premier Member Last Online: Today 20:04 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Letchworth	how did you get the powerflex bushes in, ive get them delivered but cant see how they fit, what am i missing, mine is a mk2 v70

Sep 5th, 2013, 19:04	#47
Brams Junior Member Last Online: Mar 13th, 2023 05:17 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Canterbury	Basically undo the bolt going through the bar & aluminium part then undo the ali part from the car. Push the new poly bush in under like you can see & tap it home with a rubber mallet or similar. Refit the ali part to the car & then refit the bolt adding the new washer over the poly bush (cup side towards the bush). As you tighten the bolt up it will pull the bush & washer into their correct place. Job done. PS: I took apart & reassembled one side at a time.

Sep 5th, 2013, 19:11	#48
Brams Junior Member Last Online: Mar 13th, 2023 05:17 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Canterbury	I've cut out one side of the support so far & the upright bit but I can't go any further as the sis-in-law has borrowed the car to get the the isle of white so I cant fit things for measurements & I've gone through 3 cutting discs already on the one side! I'm bending the 6mm x 50mm x 200mm upright part on my home made 2 tonne press but it sheared a bolt today while using it so I'm replacing the 10mm bolt with some 14mm threaded bar & also changing the lower brace part with some u-channel steel which will make it all stronger. I'll post pics of what I mean when I get them tomorrow.

Sep 5th, 2013, 19:16	#49
wise old monkey Premier Member Last Online: Today 20:04 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Letchworth	theres no gap for it to fit, is there different types of brackets?

Sep 5th, 2013, 19:27	#50
Brams Junior Member Last Online: Mar 13th, 2023 05:17 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Canterbury	Can you post a pic of the under side of the ali part removed? There should be a gap which the purple poly bush fits into.

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