Technical Making a strut brace

[spiderboy]

Hi all,
I've decided to make my own strutbrace as I can't find one that I know will fit my late model B. I've designed some brackets to attach to the turrets and I have sorted where the brace will sit etc. I wonder if anyone has any idea of the lateral loadings on a strut brace which might influence the choice of materials used?
I would be grateful for any suggestions or any pics of other home made strut braces.

Cheers!

 

[MattB2k]

I think that you will be looking at a dead straight tube the weak point will be the point where the tube meets the brackets. Aluminium or cro-mo steel would be my choices.

Would you consider making two if the money was right?

 

[wish mine was orange]

thought about the same before i found one, hardened alu was for me.hope it goes well

 

[spiderboy]

I think that you will be looking at a dead straight tube the weak point will be the point where the tube meets the brackets. Aluminium or cro-mo steel would be my choices.

Would you consider making two if the money was right?

Thought someone might say that Matt! Yeah of course, but it will be trial and error I think. I can buy Aluminium tube easily enough and making the brackets will be easy. Need threaded bar and nuts for the adjuster as I think some torque laterally will give the required stiffness.

 

[johnv]

I would be interested too if you (we?) could get it looking and working right

 

[dutchronnie]

I have had contact witch Wiechers. a company in Germany who makes strut braces.

I have sent a photo from the engine bay, and told them that i have a barchetta from 2000 with ABS.

The answer they gave me:
The strutbrace with type number 157012 wil fit on late barchetta's with ABS

 

[johnv]

any further info on this, Ronnie? - I think I found the website, but didn't get much further!
thanks
John

 

[dutchronnie]

This is a link to the cataloque

www wiechers-sport de/Wiechers-Sport_Endverbraucher-Katalog-2009.pdf
(a space must be a .
I am not allowed to place links)


And this is the reply i have received from Wiechers

you have to take the 157012; the strut bar should fit for your car.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Best regards

Wiechers GmbH
Südring 4
D - 31582 Nienburg

On ebay you can find the strutbar with Objectnummer: 370310621556

 

[Rustbucket]

Sparco do one...with a 'kink' in for late model ABS.

Bolts onto either side of the front suspension domes..polycoated stainless steel to match the car colour.

 

[docorangepeel]

Dont bother Spiderboy. You can get two types of strut brace for the Barchetta. One is for the pre 1999 intake system and the other is for late 99 on. Having ABS makes no difference.

Below is my late 1999 (new style intake) with both types fitted. The pre 99 strut brace is almost straight but has a small kink for the ABS system. The post 99 has a much larger bend, so it clears the angle in the intake pipe.

If you fit the pre 99 on a post 99 intake engine the intake pipe rubs on the underside of the strut brace.

One or two people have had problems with the strut brace rubbing on the underside of the bonnet but this is a bit hit and miss as it's down to the engine position in the car when it was built or the bonnet and wiper blade panel position.

Hope this helps.

 

[dutchronnie]

docorangepeel

Who is the manufactuor of the two strut braces, and what is the type number?

 

[docorangepeel]

Hello Ductchronnie

Both are from the Sparco range This was the last one that I have seen for sale on ebay link It was the late 99 on type.

I will check my paperwork and see if I can find the model numbers for the two strut braces.

This is the one I have now on my 99 Barchetta.

 

[suoixon]

I bought mine at http://www.carparts-online.de (search for article 11901).
31€ and fast delivery! I've got a '97 B but from the looks of it I think it will fit later model too.

 

[johnv]

Dont bother Spiderboy. You can get two types of strut brace for the Barchetta. One is for the pre 1999 intake system and the other is for late 99 on. Having ABS makes no difference.

Below is my late 1999 (new style intake) with both types fitted. The pre 99 strut brace is almost straight but has a small kink for the ABS system. The post 99 has a much larger bend, so it clears the angle in the intake pipe.

If you fit the pre 99 on a post 99 intake engine the intake pipe rubs on the underside of the strut brace.

One or two people have had problems with the strut brace rubbing on the underside of the bonnet but this is a bit hit and miss as it's down to the engine position in the car when it was built or the bonnet and wiper blade panel position.

Hope this helps.

and do all the bolts do up ok? I think I remember reading that you had to leave one undone?

 

[docorangepeel]

You can only fit the strut braces using two of the bolts. If you want to use all four bolt mounts you will have to drill the other two.

 

[spiderboy]

Many thanks Doc. I'll just buy one. Good to see you on here again.

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

www.carparts-online.de says 1995 - 1999. Is there nothing for a 2001 Barchetta? I really don't think a brace will improve the handling at all, but it does look nice.

 

[dutchronnie]

This strut brace fits all barchetta's from 09-99, with and without ABS

Fabr: Sparco
Type: 036RG05

It is the same as the picture from docorangepeel

 

[wish mine was orange]

have found my strut brace makes a lot of difference in the corners and roundabout. great for flying by the mx5. lol

 

[Dave-M]

have found my strut brace makes a lot of difference in the corners and roundabout. great for flying by the mx5. lol

Fitted mine just a few days ago, and I am sure I can feel a difference steering seems more positive somehow, don't think I am imagining the difference. looking forward to better road conditions for more spirited drive.