strut braces

[ekam]

Stiffer is not necessary better.... If that's the case we'd all go for the thickest sway bars and coilovers and turn them to the stiffest setting for better turn-in, etc.

[j.fro]

From what I understand, in a hard turn the force causes the strut towers to move away from each other, leading to loss of negative camber. This is particularly strong on the outside tire, which needs all the negative camber it can get to prevent rolling onto the side wall. The brace keeps the towers from spreading, preserving the negative camber.
On my car, before I had the brace, I noticed that the "caulking" around the strut towers was beginning to crack. Since I've had the brace, the cracking has not worsened.

[Jittsl]

Originally Posted by j.fro

From what I understand, in a hard turn the force causes the strut towers to move away from each other, leading to loss of negative camber. This is particularly strong on the outside tire, which needs all the negative camber it can get to prevent rolling onto the side wall. The brace keeps the towers from spreading, preserving the negative camber.
On my car, before I had the brace, I noticed that the "caulking" around the strut towers was beginning to crack. Since I've had the brace, the cracking has not worsened.

Interesting anacdotal evidence but I just looked at my SpecBox and mine (which I'm sure takes a greater beating than any street car) has no cracked caulk. Nor does my GT3 or my 01 996. The 996 was a club racer for 2 years without a full cage (in the days when that legal).

[The Radium King]

i guess the strut tower brace spreading issue is supported by the tension vs compression idea - thin aftermarket braces would combat towers spreading much better than they could withstand towers trying to come together. also supported by what i've seen on my car - on jack stands the strut towers appear to be spreading - shoulders drooping - as the front fenders are sitting lower than the trunk; this goes away when on the ground. variation between cars may be due to age = metal fatigue, driving surface, suspension stiffness (ie., how much force transferred to the chassis) and the witches brew that results when you combine all these factors.

[Jittsl]

As I said a brace can't do any harm. Particularily if the car is really spreading by being jacked up!!!!!

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by The Radium King

i guess the strut tower brace spreading issue is supported by the tension vs compression idea - thin aftermarket braces would combat towers spreading much better than they could withstand towers trying to come together. also supported by what i've seen on my car - on jack stands the strut towers appear to be spreading - shoulders drooping - as the front fenders are sitting lower than the trunk; this goes away when on the ground. variation between cars may be due to age = metal fatigue, driving surface, suspension stiffness (ie., how much force transferred to the chassis) and the witches brew that results when you combine all these factors.

Has your car ever been crashed? I have had my car on stands and on a lift and never had a problem opening and closing doors. I know of one 993 Carrera cabrio that had enough flex to prevent the doors from opening when it was on a lift. My Boxster is not like that.

[The Radium King]

not that i know of. doors will open and close, i just see the gaps change when wheels are not loaded for long periods of time (note that it has been on stands for almost two months, and that i drive on heinous northern roads that can deliver some big hits).

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by ekam

Stiffer is not necessary better.... If that's the case we'd all go for the thickest sway bars and coilovers and turn them to the stiffest setting for better turn-in, etc.

This thread is about body,tub,frame etc where you want to eliminate deflection so stiffer is better.