Strut Braces..

Jim-SR · Post by **Jim-SR** » Mon May 30, 2011 9:58 pm

I'd go for the steel CDS tube every time. No engineering justification required, its just "stronger". If aluminium was in any way suitable then it would be used for roll cages. Whether it works out stronger vs mass when compared to steel, the fatigue issues will always make steel a safer option.

Obviously steel can fail. But anything can fail by design, production flaws, incorrect material selection (e.g. excessive loading for the chosen material), etc.

Steel is definitely a safer option. But as I said to begin with, a strut brace is a non-critical component that can fail without any safety consequence. So it doesn't matter in the slightest!

aw11rally · Post by **aw11rally** » Mon May 30, 2011 10:10 pm

Jim-SR wrote:
Steel is definitely a safer option. But as I said to begin with, a strut brace is a non-critical component that can fail without any safety consequence. So it doesn't matter in the slightest!

I'm just looking for the lightest functional option.

scomr2 · Post by **scomr2** » Mon May 30, 2011 10:39 pm

Jim-SR wrote:I'd go for the steel CDS tube every time. No engineering justification required, its just "stronger". If aluminium was in any way suitable then it would be used for roll cages. Whether it works out stronger vs mass when compared to steel, the fatigue issues will always make steel a safer option.

Obviously steel can fail. But anything can fail by design, production flaws, incorrect material selection (e.g. excessive loading for the chosen material), etc.

Steel is definitely a safer option. But as I said to begin with, a strut brace is a non-critical component that can fail without any safety consequence. So it doesn't matter in the slightest!

Aluminium has been used in the past for roll cages but is now banned in most categories because it needs post weld heat treatment which is difficult to do reliably in a full cage. Done properly an ally cage can be as strong as a steel one, and note that some grades of steel are also banned for similar reasons.

PW@Woodsport · Post by **PW@Woodsport** » Tue May 31, 2011 7:24 am

Some serious nerdage going on lol

I'll be using 20mm OD 3mm wall alloy tube on my next brace, 30mm will have difficulty clearing the manifold and engine lid drain channels.

Will it be strong enough? YES! Take a look at the 1.5mm thick braces for sale these days, might as well be made out of paper mache, and i've yet to see one of those buckle or break on any car even though they are totally useless.

My new brace will be very strong, very light and look fantastic, no table required

Dale_V · Post by **Dale_V** » Tue May 31, 2011 8:29 am

Nothing productive to say......... But this surely has to be the most boring thread thats ever existed on IMOC

scomr2 · Post by **scomr2** » Tue May 31, 2011 8:56 am

Sorry us nerds should just keep quiet and go back to designing cars, mobile phones, computers... and leave you cool types to enjoy the fruit of our labours in blissful ignorance.

PW@Woodsport · Post by **PW@Woodsport** » Tue May 31, 2011 9:07 am

Nerdage has it's application for sure, not so sure it's needed in such depth for an 80's sports car strut brace, I prefer to make it happen instead of discussing it

Dale_V · Post by **Dale_V** » Tue May 31, 2011 11:55 am

scomr2 wrote:Sorry us nerds should just keep quiet and go back to designing cars, mobile phones, computers... and leave you cool types to enjoy the fruit of our labours in blissful ignorance.

good stuff

boyzdad · Post by **boyzdad** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 1:18 am

I havn't been around for a while now....... looks like I have been missing a lot!

So just to clarify what is better? Alli....... lol

Karl_T · Post by **Karl_T** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:33 pm

Nerdage definitely has it's place and uses, but there's a lot to be said for suck it and see.

All too often I find the mathematical models just don't work in the real world, where often good old common sense does. Doesn't stop me trying to work stuff out though......

Karl_T (CEng MIMechE, so definitely in the nerd camp)

Retro_Boy_G · Post by **Retro_Boy_G** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 4:18 pm

Seems I have caused quite a thread! haha...

Any chance anyone is selling front or back or both braces?

Gianni

PW@Woodsport · Post by **PW@Woodsport** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 4:43 pm

As per my posts i'm in the process of making brand new braces, a rear one to start with, i'll post up pics when they are done.

Retro_Boy_G · Post by **Retro_Boy_G** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 4:44 pm

Awesome! I look forward to seeing them.. Sorry, I got lost about half way through this thread and gave up reading! haha..

BIGBOBO · Post by **BIGBOBO** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:24 pm

PW@Woodsport wrote:As per my posts i'm in the process of making brand new braces, a rear one to start with, i'll post up pics when they are done.

Any chance in making one for a SC car?

Or one for sunroof cars?

PW@Woodsport · Post by **PW@Woodsport** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:31 am

I'd need an SC car here to make a brace for, or an actual SC brace to copy its dimensions. A sunroof front one would be simple enough though.

The Silver Fox · Post by **The Silver Fox** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:50 am

+1 for a sunroof front one

boondougal · Post by **boondougal** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:04 am

After reading every word of every post on every Page I can honestly say there can only be one reaction..... Get in PW is making a brand new strut brace.....

I wonder if we can all spot who's main outfit contains leather patches on the arms and who has 2 sets of overalls, one for working in and the other for doing other stuff!

DJJAW11 · Post by **DJJAW11** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 2:35 pm

PW@Woodsport wrote:I'd need an SC car here to make a brace for, or an actual SC brace to copy its dimensions. A sunroof front one would be simple enough though.

I just happen to have a rear Cusco Supercharger strut brace!.
(As fitted another, to clear the aftermarket IC) the Cusco one, did not quite fit, due to the thicker IC core (could of modified it, but felt wrong to so at time).

Regards
David

http://www.carpron.com/multisite/v/Upload/DJJ/

PW@Woodsport · Post by **PW@Woodsport** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 1:21 pm

Well, spurred on by this thread and the revival of one of my ancient strut braces i have been hard at work developing a 2011 model

It looks a little different to the original, thank god. These are pure quality, laser cut brackets, heavy duty rose joints and high grade hollow aluminium bar, this brace is extremely light, very strong and because i have used left and right hand threaded joints is fully adjustable for preload when fitted to the car by rotating the bar. It also has locknuts each side. The bar has also been polished.

So did i pass this time?

Ignore my grotty engine bay, i'm in the process of rebuilding a new engine for this car.

If anyone wants one let me know, i can go into full production very easily.

Right i'm off to start work on the front one for sunroof models.

BIGBOBO · Post by **BIGBOBO** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 2:05 pm

Count me first in line for a Sunroof one.

Used a T-bar one during the winter but now that the weather has cleared up, storing the roof behind the seat is a pita! :p.

www.imoc.co.uk

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