Front strut brace bar, need some info on fabing one up

[super vw]

So i got this itch to fabricate somthing, and notice that i dont have a stut brace . So my question is solid or adjustable brace? seeing as building a solid one would be easier, is an adjusable one needed? I see both around, the one on my fathers 911 is adjustable(Weltmeister i think) but we have never adjusted anything on it so...
As far as materials go, i have some 1"/1" tube (forgot the thickness, but its strong) and thought about using that, its left over from when i made my seat frames. Now what do you thin is an aceptable thickness to use for the mounting plates around the strut mounts?

Later
-Jonathan:silly:

[kdanie]

Production braces are adjustable so they will fit different chassis, all chassis vary slightly due to wear/tear and production tolerances. A solid bar is stronger/cheaper/just as functional. Do not build pivots on each end at the plates, the most effective strut bars are one piece but if you don't want 1 piece use two bolts on each end with plates on each side of the cross brace tube.

For the plates I would use 5/16" or 3/8" for the strength.

While you are at it fab a rear trans brace, it doesn't need to be adjustable either if you build it to fit YOUR car.

ken

[super vw]

I see, well do you think 1/8" built up in a box configuration would be plenty? im not to sure on how well my welder will do thick stuff (stuff over an 1/8). so im thinking insted of thickness i would use design to gain strength.
Rear brace i dont think i will atempt yet, i have never taken out the motor or trans on a beetle (or any car) so unless i dont need to its not coming out.
But im sure some day it will have to so then might construct a rear one (you are refering to a "Kafer cup style brace right?).

Ill let every one know how it turns out and post some pics, this is going to be this weeks little project
-Jonathan

[kdanie]

Steel or Aluminum? The plate needs to be fairly thick to support the top of the strut tower and prevent tearing of the sheet metal. 1/8" Aluminum would probably flex causing damage. In steel 1/8" plate might work but I would have the plates cut from 1/4" or 5/16" plate then use 1/8" stock for the pieces to attach the crossbar to the plates. Multiple pass welding works well on steel with a little practice.

ken

[super vw]

Its steel, i think i could sandwich two 1/8th plates to come up with 1/4 for the bottom where it bolts to the body, but i dont think it will be needed. the way i designed it to be ribed and boxed in should keep things from going wacky. but we will see, worse case i could just add those extra plates at the end if needed.

got another question to, Triagulation... think its needed on a beetle? i have seen porsches with a 2nd bar going down from one tower to create triagulation.

[super vw]

Teaser pics, you can see the basic shape of whats to come. this is not even close to done, i still have to box in the top portion to add rigity to the mount.
Im going to do the top section tomorrow after i get more metal, and buy some more gas for my welder (im really really low)
so hopfully i will get more pics tomorow night or saturday.

Later
-Jonathan

[super vw]

sorry, pics are to large!!!!!!!!!! any one want to tell me how to make them smaller? all the rest of my pics off my digi came work out fine... whats the deal?

[NO_H2O]

open the pix in photo-shop or a program like that, then save them as a 640x480 jpeg at a lower quality so the file size is smaller.

[Steve C]

Hi

This is my strut brace, it incorporates a mounting point for the spare wheel which is mounted on top of the fuel tank. the diagonal arms on the brace bolt to the chassis where the spare wheel well bolts in.

I just had some ends flame cut, cut some 1 inch square tube and tacked it in place, then took it out and finished it off.

Steve C

[super vw]

mine looks similar, but then again totaly diferent. my ends are way more over built than yours :silly:

I do not have photoshop, just the basic "paint" and such. is there any way to do it without photo shop?

later
Jonathan

[NO_H2O]

Can you adjust your camera be adjusted to take a 640x480 pic in a smaller file size?

[super vw]

ok im trying load the finnal pics of this strut bar...

[super vw]

another

[super vw]

yet another

[super vw]

hehe, another