Ford Escort RS Turbo This forum is for discussion of all things pertaining to the Ford Escort Rs Turbo Series 1 and 2.

do strut braces really make a difference?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-10-2008, 06:56 PM
  #1  
zvhturbo29rs
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
zvhturbo29rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default do strut braces really make a difference?

as above cheers
Old 07-10-2008, 07:15 PM
  #2  
G420 DEL
Advanced PassionFord User
 
G420 DEL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Manchester
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i recon they do... well on my escort cab i think you can tell the diff when the front one isnt on..

and i remember when fitting it i marked up the holes, then jacked the car up (jacked up so i could get to the inner struts for bolts), and the holes wouldnt match, in fact the brace nearly didnt fit on due to the struts moveing....
Old 07-10-2008, 11:32 PM
  #3  
D200RST
Regular Contributor
 
D200RST's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Huntingdon, Cambs
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

you'd be surprised just how much flex you get! as above, i never really noticed just how much. when i was restoring the car, i couldnt get the brace back on when it was up on stands!!
Old 08-10-2008, 06:26 AM
  #4  
ROB7656
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
 
ROB7656's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Witham essex
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

took both mine of for painting and i noticed more understere and body roll on tight roundabouts etc
Old 08-10-2008, 06:44 AM
  #5  
rickbartlett
G911 TTA
 
rickbartlett's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: warwickshire
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

yeah they do.makes the car corner alot flatter aswell.defo good mod 2 have. defo on a cabby as thet flex way 2 much mate
Old 08-10-2008, 07:49 AM
  #6  
CliffRS4
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (1)
 
CliffRS4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Enough convincing there to buy mine now
Old 08-10-2008, 09:38 AM
  #7  
Turbocabbie
Top Cab !!
 
Turbocabbie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: .
Posts: 3,989
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

im not convinced enough to have one on my car, many of the cheaper ones are not square and can effect your cars handling.

Best thing you can do imho is replace all the bushes and get the cars suspension geometry set up correctly which will highlight problems which need solving and take the appropriate action. I simply do not think you can treat every car or shell the same.
Old 08-10-2008, 10:56 AM
  #8  
Ad4m RST
BANNED
BANNED
 
Ad4m RST's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: London
Posts: 6,160
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

A lot of the bolt on strut braces won't do a proper job, they're just soft and generic, have seen quite a few bolted onto S2's just with self-tappers

I had proper front and rear strut braces on my last S2 and it definitely made a difference. Only the front end was polybushed so when the rear brace went on felt like I was running 10j rears

I'd want things like polybushes, adjustable TCA's, ARB etc sorted first though tbh.
Old 08-10-2008, 11:07 AM
  #9  
Rs Adz
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
 
Rs Adz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: blackpool
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

sorry abit off topic does any 1 no if u cn get a rear strut brace for a mrk3 off the shelf and also wots the best make for frount and rear any pics would help as well

Last edited by Rs Adz; 08-10-2008 at 11:19 AM.
Old 08-10-2008, 12:59 PM
  #10  
Zetec_mk4_XR3i
PassionFord Post Troll
 
Zetec_mk4_XR3i's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sunny Dunfermline, Fife
Posts: 2,947
Received 27 Likes on 27 Posts
Default

i just put one on my S2 cos had them on a few of my previous mk4's - i reckon makes a huge difference in a good way when fitted correctly
Old 08-10-2008, 01:10 PM
  #11  
browser
SORTED
 
browser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i know a couple of lads rekon that you really can tell the difference in escorts, even more so when you take them off!
Old 08-10-2008, 02:11 PM
  #12  
tabetha
20K+ Super Poster.
 
tabetha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 24,596
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

The more difference you can feel just goes to show how much they are needed.
I have them on my cos and had on my few mk3/4's.
All were polybushed everywhere but one of the most benefits I found was under heavy braking on bad surfaces the car did not try and wander all over the place, helped car stay flatter too, and made ride a tiny bit harsher, but well worth it as car at all times was vastly more stable.
tabetha
Old 08-10-2008, 04:22 PM
  #13  
zvhturbo29rs
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
zvhturbo29rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default advise

thanks all value all opinions.tabehta is usually spot on
Old 08-10-2008, 09:30 PM
  #14  
EssexMikeSi
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (3)
 
EssexMikeSi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Maldon, Essex!
Posts: 4,186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Ive got a rear brace on mine but want to get a front one, only thing is i dont want to go drilling my turrets. Anyone know where i can get the brace that replaces the suspension cups etc, anyone got one of these?
Old 08-10-2008, 09:38 PM
  #15  
dangerousbrian
Advanced PassionFord User
 
dangerousbrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: home
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

had them on 2 of my mk3 escorts...dunno if it was owt to do with the strut braces but the metal split on both just under the windscreen as if the car was too stiff
Old 09-10-2008, 09:59 AM
  #16  
Ad4m RST
BANNED
BANNED
 
Ad4m RST's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: London
Posts: 6,160
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by EssexMikeSi
Ive got a rear brace on mine but want to get a front one, only thing is i dont want to go drilling my turrets. Anyone know where i can get the brace that replaces the suspension cups etc, anyone got one of these?
You'll need to drill to fit properly mate, it's the only way.
Old 09-10-2008, 03:04 PM
  #17  
D200RST
Regular Contributor
 
D200RST's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Huntingdon, Cambs
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by dangerousbrian
had them on 2 of my mk3 escorts...dunno if it was owt to do with the strut braces but the metal split on both just under the windscreen as if the car was too stiff
What happened?? What metal? Sure it wasnt the dreaded rust that helped do that??
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rex647
Technical help Q & A
7
06-03-2022 06:20 AM
Focosmitch
Ford Focus RS Parts for Sale.
5
09-03-2016 01:03 PM
Focosmitch
Cars for Sale
9
05-11-2015 08:12 PM
Focosmitch
Ford RS Cosworth Parts for Sale
5
03-11-2015 04:08 PM
hopper350
Garage / Workshop & Tools Section.
2
04-09-2015 12:53 AM



Quick Reply: do strut braces really make a difference?



All times are GMT. The time now is 10:27 AM.