Front Strut Brace For gti

theclient · Post by **theclient** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:44 am

so, are these worth buying?

it says on the site they stiffen the chassis improving handling and reduce tyre wear etc.

will i feel a noticible difference?

cheers

gareth x

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... RK:MEWA:IT

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:48 am

When I get round to fitting mine, hopefully this weekend, I'll let you know! Involves moving the expansion tank and playing around with positions on other stuff which could be fun.

To be honest I wouldn't expect too much, especially from only fitting a front upper one. Perhaps with a front lower as well, there might be a more significant difference.

Either way, I just wanted one as I think it looks cool

theclient · Post by **theclient** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:14 am

yeah im going for looks too,

where did you get yours and how much was it?

cheers

gareth

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:15 pm

Thing is, I got it as a 21st birthday present......long story

But I do know it came from Demon Tweeks http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ ... =OMPMA1762 which has current prices of Â£64.73 (inc VAT) for the OMP front upper.

They also offer the front lower for Â£43.30.

theclient · Post by **theclient** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:32 am

ok cool, your just fitting the front upper yeah?

can you let me know how the fitting goes and if you feel any improvement in handling?

cheers

gareth

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:13 pm

Yeah, I will indeed keep you updated.

PoloGti_88 · Post by **PoloGti_88** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 6:03 pm

hi, yeah i got one to a while ago, from ebay still on forsale right now, but the problem is when i tried to fit it, there seems to be some obstruction with the anti freeze pump and the brake fluid i think it is or power steering one. took it to a vw specialist they said i will have to make a few adjustments to the water mount etc. but let me know when you fitted it redline cheers

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:36 pm

Right, fitted mine yesterday. As long as you have limited mechancial ability, ie. can take bolts off and unscrew things it isn't really that hard.

Yes, you do need to move the expansion tank. However the OMP strutbrace came with a shaped and drilled piece of steel that is used to remount it. It takes a little bit of creative thought, but I'll post pics tomorrow of how I did mine.

Other than that, you need to take the engine cover and the top of the air filter box off. Plus move some piping that runs over the drivers side strut. It cuts very close to the brake fluid reservoir, but that shouldn't be an issue. Relatively simple overall.

Biggest problem I had was due to the crap quality control by OMP. One of the adjusting nuts had locked on, so I had to take it all apart to free it.

As for whether it makes a difference? I think it does to be honest. Initial turn in seems sharper, the suspension doesn't "chatter" so much putting power down in the wet and the front-end just feels more solid. Looking at the front lower now, as that should help even more.

As I said I'll get some photos tomorrow.

PoloGti_88 · Post by **PoloGti_88** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:55 pm

cool =) will wait for the pics hehe, come down n do mine haha

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 5:33 pm

Here are the pics then. Basically I've tried to show just what goes where etc, from how it looks when completed.

Once it's fitted, you cant really see that much of it

Passenger side fitment, note the new mount for the expansion tank. Currently uses one original screw (black one) through the new (silver) mounting plate, and into an existing screw hole. The second one uses the red metal "tab" bent over to locate the hole on the new mounting plate, and bolted through. Once you've attatched the mounting plate, use the bolts that come with the strutbrace to attach the tank to it. It isn't concourse, but it works.

Another shot of the passenger side, showing the new mount more clearly. Just use your common sense, and it'll be obvious how to remount the expansion tank.

Driver's side, note how closely it runs to the brake fluid reservoir. It does fit, but I just moved the cap round so the sensor fits better. Also note the tubing that runs across the suspension turret. Unclip it, lift it up, and reattach it once the brace is in position.

Another driver's side angle. One more thing about the tubing, is that it cuts pretty tight on the corner of the brace. I put some plastic stuff over the edge to prevent any chaffing

Finally, this is the adjusting bit. Loosen it up before fixing it in place so you can jiggle it about better. Once it's in, tighten it up. Simple.

It really isn't a hard task, so long as you have some common sense and a relatively decent tool kit. Shouldn't take that long, unless like me, one of the nuts is locked on the brace.

Any more questions, just ask guys.

theclient · Post by **theclient** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:19 am

ooooh well done mate

see what you mean about not seeing much of it!

i think it would have more visual impact if it was fitted on a black or silver gti, no disrespect to red gti's which i like equally.. just colour wise it would show up better.

gareth

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 12:34 pm

I agree, it does become lost against the firewall on my car. But yeah, red or silver it would show up a lot more I'm sure!

PoloGti_88 · Post by **PoloGti_88** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 4:00 pm

nicely done, just want to ask you know the screws that holds the shocks theres three right.but you have to unscrew two to put the struct brace on.if i took these off would anything happen? because i dont want the shocks to fly out etc =p.thanks

JWC · Post by **JWC** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:40 pm

Does it make a difference? The Mk5 has rediculous stiffness to begin with.

My mom has a mk3 and however we ballance the wheels or what ever we do, you sometimes get a wollowing almost like a shake on some road surfaces. We think its down to the struts flexing, though its meant to. Them were the days when chassis' had to be flexible.

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 7:04 pm

PoloGti_88 wrote:nicely done, just want to ask you know the screws that holds the shocks theres three right.but you have to unscrew two to put the struct brace on.if i took these off would anything happen? because i dont want the shocks to fly out etc =p.thanks

Thats right, you need to unscrew two of them.

Well, my shocks are still there so I wouldn't worry. Your still leaving one screw in anyway! But seriously, I had no issues at all with this

JWC wrote:Does it make a difference? The Mk5 has rediculous stiffness to begin with.

Yes I genuinely believe it does. I can see how someone might see it as a placebo effect, and that I want to believe that it's better. However it isn't just me who has driven, my father also has, and to be fair he knows a fair bit about setup and tuning.

The biggest benefit I noticed was in putting power down in the wet. Previously the suspension chatter was quite noticeable, now it feels more supressed.