strutt brace fitting

D.K

LCR 225
Oct 24, 2007
6,408
3
se london
I picked up my S3 strutt brace today :D and will hopefully be fitting it tomorrow but i need to know what size bolts to use, I'v read in other threads that they should be M8 or M10 but how long do they need to be?
Please help
 

Balf2k

Active Member
Jul 5, 2006
208
1
South East Kent
Can't remember the exact size I used but they were M8 bolts, i'd say you want a minimum of 20mm long. Just go buy anything 20mm orlonger then you can cut them down to size. I don't know if it matters but I jacked the car up and suspended the whole front end off the ground with 2 axle stands, I would imagine that the turrets would be in a 'slightly' different position if the car was sat on its wheels, especially if only one side is jacked up at a time, probably doesn't matter but it's just a thought and it's the way I marked / drilled my holes in the turrets.
 

Willie

LCR Track car
Aug 6, 2004
8,939
1
Sunny Scotland
I used M12.
I had to have the hole drilled out for these but this is a very snug fit. I also have Nyloc nuts with spring washers, all stainless steel of course. It ain't moving.
The hole is suitable for M10 but with M12 its not moving. M8 would probably suffice, it's up to you.
 

Balf2k

Active Member
Jul 5, 2006
208
1
South East Kent
Yeah definitely go bigger if you use stainless as they are quite weak. I personally prefer to use strengthened bolts. Each to their own :cartman:
 

Balf2k

Active Member
Jul 5, 2006
208
1
South East Kent
What I meant was using 6x M8 'stainless' bolts is something I wouldnt of used, like I said if using stainless then i'd personally use bigger (M10 or M12 for example) for more strength. I only used M8 bolts because they were HSS ones, that's all I was getting at. Im sure using M12 stainless would be even stronger than what I have used. I hope I have made my point a bit clearer... I was NOT saying that using M12 stainless bolts is not recommended. :lol:
 

DPJ

...........
Dec 13, 2004
7,996
2
NN Yorks / Salento
www.seatcupra.net
Yeah definitely go bigger if you use stainless as they are quite weak. I personally prefer to use strengthened bolts. Each to their own :cartman:

Stainless weak? nonsense. A2 stainless is as strong as an 8.8 bolt. Not a situation where you need to go to a higher grade.

I wouldn't use M8 - too small.

I used M10, ensuring the drilled holes were tight for the bolts. That's more important here than going to M12 IMO.
 

D.K

LCR 225
Oct 24, 2007
6,408
3
se london
It's all on now :D
I could'nt get any S/S bolts so had to settle for M10's with lock nuts the only problem with them was i had to cut them to lenth so i need to try and find some caps for them now
I'll post up some pics later :D
 

D.K

LCR 225
Oct 24, 2007
6,408
3
se london
It feels a bit tighter but i have'nt pushed it hard yet, I might go for a quick spin in the morning before the F1 starts
 

Bosher

Active Member
fitted mine today... had the holes drilled for over a week now but not had time to fit it. I used M8 x 25 S.S soc cap bolts. Plenty strong enough for the job. with 2mm thick S.S washers underneath and Aerotight stiff nuts. The holes were drilled 8mm clearance (= 8.5mm).

Can definitely feel a difference... now just gotta wait for my rear one to turn up... :D
 

dav3

devilishd4ve xbox tag
Mar 29, 2007
655
0
Essex
Come on then flash knickers:D where's the photo's. I take it that it doesn't hit the engine cover:confused:
 

D.K

LCR 225
Oct 24, 2007
6,408
3
se london
Noi mate it clears the cover :D
I'v been a bit lazy today after taking the misses shoping watching the F1 then mowing the lawn i could'nt bo botherd to get the camera out :D I get some tomorrow
 

dav3

devilishd4ve xbox tag
Mar 29, 2007
655
0
Essex
Glad it clears the cover. Hopefully I'll find out in nxt day or 2 weather my mate can get them stickers made up, soon as I've found out will let you know.
Dave
 

D.K

LCR 225
Oct 24, 2007
6,408
3
se london
Here we go :D
DSC00112.jpg

I need to sort out something different with the bolts as i think they look a bit rough
 

dav3

devilishd4ve xbox tag
Mar 29, 2007
655
0
Essex
Looks go mate, well done:clap:. I def think the coach bolts would tidy it up a bit more.
 

D.K

LCR 225
Oct 24, 2007
6,408
3
se london
Yeh i put the bolts up from underneath, I might try them the other way round.
I did think about coach bolts but was'nt sure i'd get them tight enough as the tops are smooth
 

dirtbiker

Active Member
Dec 28, 2006
274
0
Southampton / Nottingham
I don't think coach bolts would be a good idea to be honest.

When I get round to buying and fitting mine I'm planning on using cap or dome head Allen screws, spring washers and dome nuts to keep the threads clear of road muck.

With the bolt heads down (like you've got) I reckon some chrome dome nuts would look best (or you could paint them black which would also look good).
 
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