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View Full Version : Steel or Aluminum Strut Brace?


Jehu
07-01-2007, 08:21 PM
I think i aksed about this alooong time ago but Steel or Aluminum (http://www.masonengineering.net/Subpages/E34.htm)? Which would you choose and why?
Dr. evil
07-01-2007, 09:22 PM
aluminum....because of weight
gale
07-01-2007, 09:35 PM
Definitely steel, the difference in weight for a strut brace is trivial. Aluminum has approx. 1/3 the stiffness of steel for a given cross-section.
Jehu
07-01-2007, 09:37 PM
10-4,thanks.
winfred
07-01-2007, 09:38 PM
mmmm ugg say steel strong, strong good
Anton CH.
07-01-2007, 10:57 PM
Most aftermarket anti-sway bars are made of moly doped steels. My guess is that they have best mechanical properties. Might look into that.
Qube
07-02-2007, 10:14 AM
I got the mason one for about $20 bucks (don't ask). Was a bi*ch to get on. Needed to shave a bit of the padding on the hood too of course.
JMI
12-01-2007, 03:40 PM
Jehu,
Been looking at the Mason Engineering Strut Bars (http://www.masonengineering.net/BMW.htm) was wondering how the install went and how much difference they made.

Thanks

Jim
Barney Paull-Edwards
12-01-2007, 05:34 PM
I bought a cheap ali one,fitted the turret rings, fitted the bar,adjusted to length, then removed it and copied it in non-adjusable steel,what a difference! Found I could wind the turrets 20mm in so had a bit of a saga measuring cars to get the right distance, hell of a lot of variation between cars, up to 35mm!
CharlesAFerg
12-01-2007, 08:08 PM
Used Steel...
http://biglizards.net/Graphics/ForegroundPix/MerkavaJump.jpg

Didn't use steel...
http://www.independence05.com/blog/uploaded_images/2006-08MerkavadestroyedinSouthofLebanon-785731.jpg

Merkava FTW!
Qube
12-01-2007, 08:12 PM
Jehu,
Been looking at the Mason Engineering Strut Bars (http://www.masonengineering.net/BMW.htm) was wondering how the install went and how much difference they made.

Thanks

Jim

Install was easy (reinstall). The first time is a pain. Need to shave a bit of the hood liner of course. Actually do feel the difference but only in hard cornering. My butt says that ramp at 90 doesn't feel the same with the brace off now.
Jehu
12-01-2007, 08:19 PM
I haven't bought it yet though i did contact him and confirmed the fit and availability. Not sure i like the sound of mutilating the hood liner to fit it though and if the effects are negligible i have many more needful things upon which to spend money like new wheels and tires, fixing the leaking timing chain cover gasket, maybe replacing the trunk lock which is now sticking a lot
Qube
12-01-2007, 08:20 PM
I haven't bought it yet though i did contact him and confirmed the fit and availability. Not sure i like the sound of mutilating the hood liner to fit it though and if the effects are negligible i have many more needful things upon which to spend money like new wheels and tires, fixing the leaking timing chain cover gasket, maybe replacing the trunk lock which is now sticking a lot

Don't. It's not a needed item :)