mx5cartalk.com

Hey guys, I went down to mania yesterday and picked up a Ultra Racing Front Strut Tower Brace to replace the OEM one.

The brace came with two options, one with a firewall brace and one without. I got the one with a firewall brace.

So after enquiring and making sure it was an easy install I decided to do it myself. I have been at it all night with no hope...

The brace is VERY hard to fit, you have to remove the AC and the other line that runs on the top of the firewall, then you have to push and pull to get it onto the suspension nuts.

Now it is currently sitting on the suspension screws and it's not fitting flush enough for the screws to bite into the groove. So the 4 screws thats meant to brace it to the firewall are currently not in and one of the left side nuts wont bite onto the screw no matter how I push it.


So guys is there an easier way to get those screws to bite?

or does anyone have a modestly priced mechanic that can fit those screws in?

or if anyone is free around the shire area and willing to help out that would be awesome!

Sometimes you need to line up all the holes and slide the thing down evenly over all of the studs at once.
If one side goes down more it will effectively make the distance between the holes shorter and it will bind.

Other than that, a bit of gentle persuasion with a soft mallet or hammer and a block of softwood.

Should of fitted really easily.
If you've tried what sailor has suggested and it doesnt go on easily then ultra racing has failed to make a proper strut. Return it and buy an il Motorsport ( copy of laile ) or any Japanese branded one and it will fit perfectly. Personally I wouldn't force it down the studs..

I'm close to the bubble, may be able to swing by tomorrow evening for a look

Shoot me a pm if keen

managed to get it in guys! had to cut the two bolts sticking out for the factory FSTB. Thanks for the help!

To help future searchers, these braces do 9/10s of F all.

Dann

kayye wrote:managed to get it in guys! had to cut the two bolts sticking out for the factory FSTB. Thanks for the help!

So the new brace doesn't attach to the firewall now??

NitroDann wrote:To help future searchers, these braces do 9/10s of F all.

Dann

It appears that almost everyone who hasn't fitted one to an NC has that same opinion as yours Dan.
It also appears that almost everyone who HAS fitted one is quite impressed.
This one
http://www.carbing.co.jp/international/ ... 4160.shtml
which braces both back to the firewall and across the towers as well as having a master cylinder brace is very effective indeed.
It takes out the movement felt as vibration in the front end on some surfaces and improves steering reaction.

if you add the fact that it is also lighter than the std NC brace which is a 3 piece unit and only braces from the firewall to the towers, you have a very effective unit.
You should try one on your NC....Oh wait.....

Guy has one of those

Sailor wrote:It appears that almost everyone who hasn't fitted one to an NC has that same opinion as yours Dan.
It also appears that almost everyone who HAS fitted one is quite impressed.
This one
http://www.carbing.co.jp/international/ ... 4160.shtml
which braces both back to the firewall and across the towers as well as having a master cylinder brace is very effective indeed.
It takes out the movement felt as vibration in the front end on some surfaces and improves steering reaction.

if you add the fact that it is also lighter than the std NC brace which is a 3 piece unit and only braces from the firewall to the towers, you have a very effective unit.
You should try one on your NC....Oh wait.....

Gmi wrote:Guy has one of those

I'm with Sailor on this one. Makes the front end far more solid and sharpens the turn in. Also reduces the wheel shudder on bumpy surfaces. The Carbing one in my opinion is the best and is superbly made, it was money well spent - just wish I could get my rear one to fit...

do you feel an improvement in the master cylinder stopper Guy?

it would be good if my Kansai one has the stopper, but the upgrade of the brace has stopped the wheel shudder on rough roads..

as for the rear one, give it to me...im sure it will fit my car

Sounds almost as good as fitting a hardtop to an NA/NB for bracing! 'Fixes' the same subjective 'symptoms' too.

It was once accepted that hardtops made the car stiffer too right..?

Dann

My strut brace made a big difference.

It gave me something to cable tie the intake to, and also gives me something to lean on when I'm working under the bonnet.

Regie wrote:...but the upgrade of the brace has stopped the wheel shudder on rough roads..

What wheel shudder

JBT wrote:

Regie wrote:...but the upgrade of the brace has stopped the wheel shudder on rough roads..

What wheel shudder

Most noticed after it has gone.