Strutco Strut Brace – with pics

[S3 TAM]

Firstly, want to say a massive thanks to Adam @ Strutco for producing a quality product.

Build quality and attention to detail is fantastic. Well packaged and quick shipping all for a very reasonable 100 quid.

Fitting guidance was spot on – literally took 15 minutes.

The original brace stays in place and this sits over the top. tbh the original brace is wafer thin and I wouldn't even call it a brace, more like a cable holder.

Had a quick test drive and what a difference, I always felt like the car was a bit sloppy upfront, not anymore couple of roundabouts and a quick blast on a M road car feels like I would of expected it to feel out of the factory. Lane changes much sharper and feels tighter in the corners. Highly recommend if you have done this mod all ready. The best thing about it is you only need a 13mm socket.

Now for the good stuff.

 

[jdp1962]

Do you have a weblink for ordering?

 

[Lemonski]

Found the guy that makes them selling them on E Bay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-S4-...939479?hash=item1a994a65d7:g:YfEAAOSwefhe9hXw

 

[Sharpz44]

Just got mine,will be installing soon,seems very easy

 

[jdp1962]

I need to wait until after I've had eye surgery, so maybe next month.

 

[jdp1962]

Ordered today; will be made to order and delivered in about two weeks.

 

[jdp1962]

Fitted today: not driven it yet but can report it is a finely-made item and very easy to fit, even for a sausage-fingered idiot like me.

 

[Simon]

The price has just jumped up on these, from £110 to £125!!

 

[jdp1962]

The price has just jumped up on these, from £110 to £125!!

With the option to make an offer.

 

[nafnaforiginal12]

Ive just ordered one of these, it came this morning and literally took 5-10mins to fit it.

Really well made and free haribos was the icing on the cake

Cant wait to test it out after work

 

[forty3]

You can make this for a tenners worth of aluminium box section.

I get not everyone has access to a workshop but worth a look into how to do it before parting with over a tonne

 

[Gazwould]

It's not like they're on display and have to look good .

 

[jdp1962]

You can make this for a tenners worth of aluminium box section.

I get not everyone has access to a workshop but worth a look into how to do it before parting with over a tonne

It’s not just about access to a workshop. Some of us have no metalworking skills.

 

[rum4mo]

Well due to me showing an interest in this strut bar, ebay sent me out an offer to buy it at a reduced price - so what could I do other than buy one!!

I've trial fitted it and it fits well, my only issue is that I did not like replacing coated steel nuts that has a free running washer under them with stainless steel flange nuts with a serrated lower surface as a) they are A2 and the Audi torque setting for these nuts is 30Nm and b) I did not like the serrated "locking" surface to bit into the soft alloy - so I've ordered in a 4th nut as used by Audi, in case any one is interested it is p/n N 904 862 04, I'll apply some blue Loctite to the studs on the car to take care of any risk of it slackening off even although it is not safety critical, but if they slacken off or are not torqued up enough you will lose some of the extra stiffness that you are trying to get rid of, that is all. I'm also priming and painting it satin black so that it blends in! Maybe I've got too much time on my hands!(or too much grey primer and satin black paint lying around)

Edit:- originally when I discovered that the supplied nuts were A2, I ordered in some A4 versions from Westfield Fasteners - they despatched last Monday night via Royal Mail 24 Hours, but the clock is still ticked on that delivery - probably they have been caught up in the mad pre Christmas rush/load on Royal Mail. Then changed to reusing the original nuts with blue Loctite and buying an extra one.

 

[Willenium]

I had the offer come across too but to be honest it wasn't enough of a discount to tempt me. If I don't attempt to DIY it as suggested above then perhaps I'll take one if/when a better price is presented. They do look nice (though I'd probably spray it black like you are so it's not so conspicuous).

 

[MuPPeT_ON_TouR]

Canyon Run CR-15 strut brace(Replica for £20)

Made myself, and is undoubtedly stronger than the official one as I bent the not required tabs down and didn't need to cut 50% of the drivers side mounts out as we drive on the correct side of the road and the water bottle mount isn't in the way. There is much less material removed on mine.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/270954529113

Took a few hours and some holes ended up more of a slot than a hole but only by 2mm as my measurements were a fraction off. Gave it a 4foot paint job(looks good 4 foot away). And some stickers I had kicking around.

If you are now looking for me to say things like "transformed the vague steering that plagues the B8 platform" or "I can feel the better turn in on every corner" or some other bit of pish. Jog on.

For £20 I'll believe it does something, but nothing I can tell.... For the £130 for a "real one" I'm not surprised folk talk pish to justify that rip off. It's only £10.50 for the metal! Rant over.

I could churn these out and RIP people off asking just £50 for them.. and they would be painted. No excuses not to make your own. If you can fit one yourself then you can make one. 1 bit of metal. A socket set and a drill with 2 dril bits.

 

[Simon]

I quite fancy making one out of carbon tube just to be a bit different. What length of box section did you buy?

 

[jdp1962]

I quite fancy making one out of carbon tube just to be a bit different. What length of box section did you buy?

Nice work, @MuPPeT_ON_TouR , glad you got a result you were happy with. I’m always in awe of people who have practical DIY abilities that I completely lack. But I have to say, your post read (to me) as not so much a rant as a sneer at those of us who don’t have the skills or facilities to make their own. Also, if you think you can make, package and ship this for £50 and still make a handsome profit, why not do so? It’ll benefit the forum members who can’t make their own and force the current suppliers to rethink their pricing.

 

[desertstorm]

I appreciate not every one has mechanical skills but I made one of these nearly 5 years ago out of a £10 piece of ally tube bought on Ebay. Not that hard to do and I will say definitely the biggest bang per buck improvement I made to the handling.

https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/karls-3-0-tdi-build-thread.204785/page-12#post-2716681

Prices have gone up in the last few years , 1 inch 10 gauge 1metre long aluminium box section £13.63 delivered.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALUMINIU...m-19mm-25mm-29mm-32mm-38mm-45mm/192438013829?

 

[Nitro_CR]

Nice work, @MuPPeT_ON_TouR , glad you got a result you were happy with. I’m always in awe of people who have practical DIY abilities that I completely lack. But I have to say, your post read (to me) as not so much a rant as a sneer at those of us who don’t have the skills or facilities to make their own. Also, if you think you can make, package and ship this for £50 and still make a handsome profit, why not do so? It’ll benefit the forum members who can’t make their own and force the current suppliers to rethink their pricing.

You make a good point Jdp...

I've been wanting to get one of these strut braces for a while but like others can't really justify the £120+ for the Strutco one or similar for the Canyon right now. As for making one myself as suggested by @MuPPeT_ON_TouR, it's a great idea and as you said you just need a socket set, drill & drill bits. That would be great if I didn't live in a rented flat & had access to the tools. Buying a decent socket set, the drill & bits, tubing, bolts...quickly reaches the £100+ mark for buying one from eBay.

If you think you can churn them out @MuPPeT_ON_TouR for £20, even £30 then I'll bite your hand off for the first one!

 

[cashutt]

You make a good point Jdp...

I've been wanting to get one of these strut braces for a while but like others can't really justify the £120+ for the Strutco one or similar for the Canyon right now. As for making one myself as suggested by @MuPPeT_ON_TouR, it's a great idea and as you said you just need a socket set, drill & drill bits. That would be great if I didn't live in a rented flat & had access to the tools. Buying a decent socket set, the drill & bits, tubing, bolts...quickly reaches the £100+ mark for buying one from eBay.

If you think you can churn them out @MuPPeT_ON_TouR for £20, even £30 then I'll bite your hand off for the first one!

Same reasons as me! I’d take one too if anyone is up for making them? Not bothered about the paint job.

 

[MuPPeT_ON_TouR]

OK. It does come across as more of a sneer and that was not my intention, was just miffed at folk still being ripped off for these.

So one reason I didn't start making these is I just can't fully guarantee that the measurements I use off my S5 will be spot on for everybody else's car, and didn't want the responsibility or comeback if somebody fits it wrong or it doesn't fit because their car has a bit of kit mine didn't.

There was also a bit on mine that needed sanded down to allow the bar to fit and a cable needed moved. I chose to sand down the car rather than the bar, as what was the point weakening the bar you bought to add strength.

I will be happy to put a few together... A FEW.. But you will need to be happy to modify bits yourself to ensure a fit. From Memory ON MY S5(Don't know about A4/S4/A5)

2 tabs need flattened
1 tab that pokes out needs sanding down about 5mm
A cable with plug needs moved and cabled tied out the way.

You would need a socket set, hammer with block of wood and a file, also a tube of touch up paint(The ones for chips), the metal tabs you fold flat tend to crack the paint at the fold so I touched it back up to stop any rust, not sure it is necessary. The block of wood and hammer are to fold the tabs flat, hit the wood rather than swing a hammer inside the car if that makes sense.

How many folk would want a bar with holes in it for NOT a lot of money?

 

[MuPPeT_ON_TouR]

Just to add after looking at the eBay ones, I'm not sure they are a complete rip off. Lots of time taken to ensure they are plug and play so to speak, all possible clearance holes and slots drilled, cable tie holes to secure the plug that needs moved. Actually looks like a very very nice job.

 

[jdp1962]

Just to add after looking at the eBay ones, I'm not sure they are a complete rip off. Lots of time taken to ensure they are plug and play so to speak, all possible clearance holes and slots drilled, cable tie holes to secure the plug that needs moved. Actually looks like a very very nice job.

Quite; also, the guy who made mine was willing to guarantee the measurements were exact for my car, and was prepared to take the responsibility or comeback if it hadn't fitted*. Always remember, it's not just the raw materials you're paying for; it's the knowledge, expertise, know how and time of the person who made the item from the raw materials plus the piece of mind they provide.

*Also, for reasons entirely unexplained, he included a bag of sweets in the package.

 

[rum4mo]

The Strut-co guy has the skills to draw these stiffener bars up and knows what the possible expected differences are during the production run for B8 and B8.5, so he is in the position to manufacture the correct part for his customers, also he obviously has the machining skills and access to a mill to knock these out. In other words he has invested time in being able to get this right every time - that is where most of the cost comes from, and I understand that.

Including small packs of sweets is what many online sellers do just as a mark of thanks for your business and for fun.

 

[cashutt]

OK. It does come across as more of a sneer and that was not my intention, was just miffed at folk still being ripped off for these.

So one reason I didn't start making these is I just can't fully guarantee that the measurements I use off my S5 will be spot on for everybody else's car, and didn't want the responsibility or comeback if somebody fits it wrong or it doesn't fit because their car has a bit of kit mine didn't.

There was also a bit on mine that needed sanded down to allow the bar to fit and a cable needed moved. I chose to sand down the car rather than the bar, as what was the point weakening the bar you bought to add strength.

I will be happy to put a few together... A FEW.. But you will need to be happy to modify bits yourself to ensure a fit. From Memory ON MY S5(Don't know about A4/S4/A5)

2 tabs need flattened
1 tab that pokes out needs sanding down about 5mm
A cable with plug needs moved and cabled tied out the way.

You would need a socket set, hammer with block of wood and a file, also a tube of touch up paint(The ones for chips), the metal tabs you fold flat tend to crack the paint at the fold so I touched it back up to stop any rust, not sure it is necessary. The block of wood and hammer are to fold the tabs flat, hit the wood rather than swing a hammer inside the car if that makes sense.

How many folk would want a bar with holes in it for NOT a lot of money?

I’ll take one, thanks! I have an A4 2009 2.0 TDI. Although I realise that may not be of any help.

 

[Willenium]

If it's a goer then I'd be interested in one too. Minor adjustments to fit should be no problem and we could report back here with feedback on fitment for future reference? Mine is a 2009 A4 3.0TDI Quattro so it would be interesting to compare fitments.

 

[forty3]

I appreciate not every one has mechanical skills but I made one of these nearly 5 years ago out of a £10 piece of ally tube bought on Ebay. Not that hard to do and I will say definitely the biggest bang per buck improvement I made to the handling.

https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/karls-3-0-tdi-build-thread.204785/page-12#post-2716681

Prices have gone up in the last few years , 1 inch 10 gauge 1metre long aluminium box section £13.63 delivered.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALUMINIU...m-19mm-25mm-29mm-32mm-38mm-45mm/192438013829?

I copied you when making mine. Appreciate you sharing the link.

Definitely makes a good improvement so worth a little bit of time and effort.

Not sure how useful it is in day to day driving but combined with a rear arb the car handles remarkably well on track for an avant - embarrassed a m3 and a r8 (probably the driver) on my last visit to Castle combe

 

[Simon]

I knocked one of these up today, really not super difficult to do and I am really glad I didn’t part with £100+