DIY - 9n3 Forge Strut Brace Install

[shaneth]

Parts Needed - Strut Brace which includes

Left hand Piece


Right hand piece


Tightening Bolt


Tools Needed - 13mm Spanner/Socket
19mm Spanner

Time - 10 min

Just a word of warning, I went to do eddys today and his coilovers slightly moved when removing the bolts. Now although this didnt really prove a problem i just want everyone to be aware. They didnt move at all on my car.

[shaneth]

Steps - 1.




You have 3 bolts on each strut. Remove the three bolts with the 13mm Socket. Off one strut at a time and do the following.

[shaneth]

Step 2 -


Fit the brace on so that the bar is closest to you and the longer section is to the left. But before you do make sure that you have completely removed the Tightening bolt and threaded it back on the RH and LH bar evenly. (when you recieve yours the tightening bolt will be tight on the LH Bar) The tightening bolt is the 3 pic from the top which is used to make the strut brace tight.

Step 3 -
Tighten all Strut Bolts again.

Step 4 -


With the 19mm Spanner tighten the tightening bolt in the bar. when you have tightened it to your required amount (it is up to you how tight you do it, i did mine until it was firm) run the lock nuts up to the bar on both sides to make sure it doesnt loosen.

[shaneth]

Now your all done and should look something like this.


I recommend going for a drive and checling to make sure all the strut bolts are tight and then again after 2 weeks or so.

[FL00DY]

Has anyone found the original bolts to be maybe too short?

[higuma]

Hi all, here's some tech info on how tight to do up the strut bolts.

According to the workshop manual;
- coil spring strut to body bolt*; 15Nm + 90º
(*use new bolts!).

[Ben_GTI]

Where the hell would you get new bolts, or atleast longer ones?

Also does the strut brace stop you taking out the air filter? It could be a problem come service time.

[shaneth]

Has anyone found the original bolts to be maybe too short?

Cant say i have found them to short, By the time you do them up they actually take quite a bit of thread as it kinda moulds the base of the strut brace to the top of the strut tower. Thanks for the technical info higuma will double check mine when i get a chance.

[Ben_GTI]

I had a look and I don't think you can get the air filter without removal of the strut brace

[shaneth]

No you have to remove the bar to change filter. When in the service program do you have to change filter???

[DaveMack]

Just take it off before servicing and put it back when you get the car back. It's a pretty easy installation.

Dave

[GT3]

No you have to remove the bar to change filter. When in the service program do you have to change filter???

no such problem with a CDA (or pod) plenty of room to change air filter.

[99gti]

But the real question is can you feel the difference. It looks good but how efective is it?

Anyone got one of the ones off ebay before? Any good either?

[VWindahouse]

But the real question is can you feel the difference. It looks good but how efective is it?

Anyone got one of the ones off ebay before? Any good either?

I've had mine (Forge) on for a week or so now and I love it. It somehow helps me with gaining traction through the front wheels, especially whist cornering. More solid feel through the steering wheel as well. Good mod IMO!

[FL00DY]

Cant say i have found them to short, By the time you do them up they actually take quite a bit of thread as it kinda moulds the base of the strut brace to the top of the strut tower. Thanks for the technical info higuma will double check mine when I get a chance.

To start with fitting the ends over the strut tower was tight, bit too much extra paint or welding. Once I got the base all the way over the tower the bolts were fine + I was doing this at 8pm under ordinary lights

I've had mine (Forge) on for a week or so now and I love it. It somehow helps me with gaining traction through the front wheels, especially whist cornering. More solid feel through the steering wheel as well. Good mod IMO!

I found exactly the same with getting the power down out of the corner.