Body Brace

[Antm72]

Brought this from @Grumpy when he removed it from Reggie.
Originally he had sold it to another member but when removed the sale fell through so i opted to buy it.
Had only taken one journey in Reggie and the car felt very precise none of the normal creaks/rattles and a very precise suspension feel.
Read up on all the reviews on the Strong Strut site and thought it gave answer to the precise feel of Reggie taking in the fact until recently he had sat on the original suspension !
Its quite a hefty bit of engineering pic here of it removed.

Decided to get it cleaned up and powder coated its under the car but no reason for not pretty
Got it back a few days after dropping it off and looks far better cleaned and coated up.

For those that know my 2.8 its low so decided to raise the rear slightly lifted it by 20mm something i've wanted to do for a while, currently its ok but the full set up is being revisited for a full change.
Wanted to get this done before my op as not possible with one hand
Wasn't to bad to fit the rear end was easy the chassis rails fit ok but as they bolt under the front cross brace it has to be totally removed and rebolted up but it is slotted as standard so bolted back with just a small mod to a washer.
Have about 4" clearance now fitted and these rails are very sturdy so will protect the under body of the zed from any scrapes (not that i have had any) but its nice to think it protected.
So fitted...

Only had a bit of a short drive to see how it felt and in all honesty it appears to have done the job.
The car is quieter and the car moves more as one over rough road,you can feel the suspension working independently rather than any flex.
Its designed to take out chassis flex by tying in the top of the front struts with the lower brace then the chassis rails tie the rear end in at the rear subframe with the butt strut.
Will be a few weeks to proper shake down as not allowed to drive for 2 weeks

Another addition to the zed .... Suspension next.....

 

[t-tony]

Pleased to see you got it fitted ok mate, as you said a hefty lump. Did you weight it by any chance?

Tony.

ps. The powder coat looks very nice, local job?

 

[Lee]

looks really good powder coated. That ground clearance looks close

 

[Antm72]

Pleased to see you got it fitted ok mate, as you said a hefty lump. Did you weight it by any chance?

Tony.

ps. The powder coat looks very nice, local job?

Yeah a local company in Doncaster did it Tony i didn't weigh it but it doesn't appear to have slowed the car

 

[Antm72]

looks really good powder coated. That ground clearance looks close

Its no closer than it was without it now i've lifted it up abit love its stance Eibach kit looks ok but want a tad lower the Apex is extreme so looking at a full coilover kit to get a good balance along with a H&R anti roll bar set up front and rear it should be properly sorted then

 

[Grumps]

Pleased your happy with it mate. Looks great in the blue.

 

[Antm72]

Thanks Dave

 

[Lee]

Its no closer than it was without it now i've lifted it up abit love its stance Eibach kit looks ok but want a tad lower the Apex is extreme so looking at a full coilover kit to get a good balance along with a H&R anti roll bar set up front and rear it should be properly sorted then

Nothing to do with occupant weight I hope

 

[Antm72]

Nope on a diet...they say a sea food diet ..i see food i eat it . Im just big boned

 

[Low Rider]

Looks very nice all powered coated

 

[andyglym]

Nice one mate.

 

[billz]

Looks good Ant. Will be better when you get the Coilovers on

 

[Davyhoogy]

What did you do to loft it 20mm? I could do with a bit of a lift.

 

[Antm72]

10mm rear spring pads lift it approx 20-25mm
You can get 5,7.5 ,10 ,15 and 22mm spring pads but remember due to the suspension set up what you add is greater at the arch.
Bmw gen parts are cheaper than ebay too

 

[Davyhoogy]

Does this take into account the thickness of the pads already on? I assume they are 10mm on as standard?

 

[Dino D]

@Davyhoogy There are pads top and bottom as standard but looking at how low yours is I reckon you may have only one or none.

 

[Antm72]

5mm top and bottom so 15mm will give you your lift.
The 22mm pads are found if i remember on a E46 the 15mm may be there too i know i had to search abit to find the sizes

 

[Davyhoogy]

@Davyhoogy There are pads top and bottom as standard but looking at how low yours is I reckon you may have only one or none.

I have them on i remember putting them back on when fitting the springs. An extra 10mm would make all the difference over bumps i think

 

[Antm72]

I brought 2 10mm pads about £6 each from my local dealers lifted the car from 630mm from arch to floor to 655mm to floor its surprising how much lift you get.