Just fitted the CR-15 front strut brace.

LukeyC

LukeyC

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My what a difference!

I removed my old one in about 15 minutes, and you can feel how flimsy it is - you really can twist / bend it in your hands very easily. It also has areas that are clearly designed to flex...no thanks!

So I remove the old strut brace, inspect it, laugh, then try and fit the new one, only I had to drive to Halfords as the 13mm socket I had was too fat for the holes in the new strut. The car felt absolutely comical during the short drive - completely devoid of feedback but oddly is smoothed out the bumps a treat!

Took me about 10 minutes to fit the new brace in Halfords car park (nice and level) and immediately the feedback is so much better - it's more communicative, needs less correction mid corner and brings so much feel through the wheel. It's not noticeably harsher than the OEM strut brace in any of the suspension modes, which is good.

Needless to say, I strongly recommend this cheap and simple mod - to anyone looking to improve the handling check out this post: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/658976-CR-15-Upper-Strut-Tower-Brace-Realtime-Install
 
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Sorry wild westle - It's a strut brace.

I have edited my post to clarify but can't see how to change the title.
 
LukeyC said:
Sorry wild westle - It's a strut brace.

I have edited my post to clarify but can't see how to change the title.
Click to expand...
Did you buy yours from the US or are they stocking them in the UK?
How much did you pay?
Cheers
 
I got it shipped from the US mate. Ordered it last week, arrived today and fitted tonight.

I had to pay about #20 import duty, so my package was held for two days as I was out the office. Best contact @U2Nelson on the Audizine forum for pricing.

Its not that expensive, easy to do and really makes a difference - and I've not really pushed yet!
 
LukeyC said:
I got it shipped from the US mate. Ordered it last week, arrived today and fitted tonight.

I had to pay about #20 import duty, so my package was held for two days as I was out the office. Best contact @U2Nelson on the Audizine forum for pricing.

Its not that expensive, easy to do and really makes a difference - and I've not really pushed yet!
Click to expand...
Ok cheers mate. I send him a pm
 
I've had mine for a while now, I didn't think it would make much difference to the steering feel as I thought it felt great from the factory. For such a simple thing the difference is amazing.

Did your instructions tell you to take the old bar off? Reason I ask is the bar is designed to sit over the top of the old one.
 
Ah.. just re-read the instructions and you're absolutely right! I didn't spot that bit.

I can't imagine how tight the fit would be to get the new bar over the existing one - I had just enough clearance putting the new one in on it's own.

Guess I'd best get me 4 new locking nuts and stick the old bracket back on underneath tonight - thanks for the pointer!
 
On the plus side, this can only bring even more stiffness to the front end, so it gets even better!
 
audi upgrades
It does just slip over the top. I had a LHD version sent then modified it to make it suitable for RHD and sent the measurements back so they could make a dedicated RHD version
 
It is quite amazing what a simple piece of 25mm square alloy tubing makes to the handling.
You have to leave the original in as the Heat shield at the back of the engine compartment is secured on this, at least it is on the 3.0 TDI.
The smoother ride you had with the original bar removed was because of the extra chassis flex that was introduced.
 
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Thanks Desertstorm, will be reattach in the old bar on asap once my locking nuts arrive!

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
 
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