Been looking at one of these:

Strutbracer (http://www.strutbracer.co.uk)

Discount Code:66749585
£70.49 down to £66.97 Delivered

http://www.strutbracer.co.uk/images/omp600px/MA1869.jpg

Im not the sort of driver who uses my Mini on the track, so will I notice if I fit one of these. I drive normally around town but I give it a blast on the country roads.

Will this make a noticeable difference?

I've got one and the answer is yes, but it is best when combined with the OMP front lower strut brace aswell.

With them both fitted (i cannot comment on only having the top one fitted) the car feels more stable and composed when entering a corner. Its not like it makes a huge difference but it really does give you more confidence through the bends.

but defo get the lower one aswell, the lower one only costs about 40 quid

i fitted the top one myself and got the bottom one fitted later when i could get it on a ramp. Just putting the top one on makes a phenomenal difference and is so easy, putting the bottom one on adds like another 30% id say....
value for money easily the best modification i ever bought
get one........
....now
:-)

Is it something I can fit? Do I need any special tools or know how?

I have the Cusco top strut brace to fit. Im am interested in buying the lower omp lower rear brace was wondering how easy it is to fit?

yes its something anyone can fit, it just has 2 bolts on the top of each mcphearson strut. I dont know how easy the bottom one is but i believe it just bolts to the bottom of the strut in mounting points which are already there.

Is it something I can fit? Do I need any special tools or know how?

Easy as pie...you just need some spanners, or an adjustable spanner. Like m_cooke said you just open the bonnet undo the bolts ontop of the suspension mounts put the brace on, then put those bolts back on....has an adjustable nut in the center so you can make it tighter, that'll firm it all up, obviously dont over do it but it can be pretty tight!

The bottom one requires you taking off bolts with a nylon thread in them, this means they cant be put back on again, strictly speaking you should get new ones but, as Lohen did on my car, just get some Loctite Super Glue and put it on the bolts and screw them back in!!!!

just get some Loctite Super Glue and put it on the bolts and screw them back in!!!!

:aargh:

Just done a deal with Gledy2 who had both upper and lower OMP braces for sale in the classified section, £50 for both delivered which i reckon is another mod bargain :D.
Will let you know what difference they make as hopefully get fitted soon.

I will buy some new bolts for £1.80 rather than bodging with super glue!

Does anyone have pictures of the upper one fitted on their Mini?

i can take one if you need it but this is the exact same... its a tight fit

154590

Thanks for that . does anyone have a picture with it fitted over a gtt cai or similar?

I think there are pics on the internet of my R53 MCS with Alta CAI and OMP brace

The OMP goes over the top of the alta without ny cutouts....it is good for the £ but GTT is better..but a lot more £!

I don't have any pic myself .... :(

I set about fitting my braces today and things didn't go well :mad:
The lower one went on a treat, i didn't even need to raise the car i just turned wheels on full lock which gave me enough room to get to the bolts. Old bolts came out easy and i replaced with new ones.
Now the upper one is a different story! I managed to fit it and adjust it all in about 10 mins which was great but the problem came when i tried to shut the bonnet. Fortunately i lowered the bonnet gently because the underside hits the brace and doesn't give me enough play to close the bonnet. I have tried various adjustments but no good, i even removed the bonnet lining to gain more room.
Is this a common problem or am i doing something wrong:confused:
I can see a solution by enlarging one of the elongated holes to allow more movement but surely this shouldn't be needed.
Any help would be great.

yes the OMP strut brace does foul against the u/s of the bonnet but the lining eventually compresses and the bonnet when closed is flush. You have removed your bonnet lining so technically there should be enough room for it to close

yes the OMP strut brace does foul against the u/s of the bonnet but the lining eventually compresses and the bonnet when closed is flush. You have removed your bonnet lining so technically there should be enough room for it to close

is it necessary to remove the lining or can you just lower it carefully and 'click' the bonnet shut without getting a power buldge in it?

is it necessary to remove the lining or can you just lower it carefully and 'click' the bonnet shut without getting a power buldge in it? i didnt remove my lining, i have now but 4 sumin else, at the start ur bonnet will b slighlty raised but giv it a slam n itll shut n then like he said before it starts to compress n then it stops pushing the bonnet so high!

Just ordered the upper & lower for £95 delivered using that code :)

Cheers

MAFFA

Just ordered the upper & lower for £95 delivered using that code :)

Cheers

MAFFA

hi I cant find the bottom strut on the site any ideas / help
cheers

i couldnt find it individually on their site but at
lohen.co.uk - Track & Fast Road Performance for your New Mini - Online Shop (http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/proddetail.php?prod=LS1)
its in their package,, sure if u just ring them up they could send you the individual bit...

Proview1122 here you go

Welcome to Strutbracer, Ace site for braces and stuff (http://www.strutbracer.co.uk/page1.php?sitepage=3&manuf=52&modelid=669&tab=2)

Check Minimania's site. I put one of their carbon fiber braces on my Gen2 MCS last month and it made a BIG difference. Rock solid steering, nil torque steer and almost no track steering/tram-lining. Takes ~20min. to install and fits without bonnet slamming, krazy-glue(?), etc. Looks sharp and is much stronger and lighter than that piece of ironworks in that pic. They've got them for Gen1's as well. US$200 + ship. and (gasp) your import tax. Sending pic of what it looks like in my MCS. Cheers-SoCal Yank

i didnt remove my lining, i have now but 4 sumin else, at the start ur bonnet will b slighlty raised but giv it a slam n itll shut n then like he said before it starts to compress n then it stops pushing the bonnet so high!

I had an OMP upper brace which was originally on a Cooper S.
I then put it on my old cooper, which fitted fine under the bonnet.

I then got a motor mechanic guy to fit the same brace to my current Cooper S, where he took a patch of the bonnet lining out to give it a bit more space, but the bonnet still wouldn't shut properly - and I could see slight stress mark on the curve of the bonnet where it has tried to shut.

Could I have a bad brace? It is about 5-6 years old now, and has been kept in the garage for a few years before fitting it again.

If I bought a brand new one will it definatly fit or could it be something in my bonnet doing this?

I very nearly bought the upper brace but now reading all the problems with the bonnet i dont think i will bother, are there any other makes out there that do actually fit without having to put a bulge in your bonnet, find it hard to believe that a company who make struts cants make them to fit!!!! Crap!

I very nearly bought the upper brace but now reading all the problems with the bonnet i dont think i will bother, are there any other makes out there that do actually fit without having to put a bulge in your bonnet, find it hard to believe that a company who make struts cants make them to fit!!!! Crap!

Im close to buying one but im confused as theres so many oppossing reviews. Think im going to risk it as they are cheap and I can sell it on ebay if its no good.

Im close to buying one but im confused as theres so many oppossing reviews. Think im going to risk it as they are cheap and I can sell it on ebay if its no good.

i reckon a group buy is on the cards!!!

I am up for that!

thats 2 then!!!

and me (OMP)