JCW Strut Brace Fitting Story

[-=cHiLli=-]

Thought I would share my experiences last night when fitting this bit ‘o’ kit.

To get to the point; I actually had a little trouble fitting this, I am in no way a professional mechanic, however I have in the past had my fair share of blood donations to the god of car diy .

I took my time got the correct tools: torque Socket tool, 17mm ring spanner, 13mm socket and a 7mm hex socket adaptor, I read the instructions thoroughly, and went ahead safe in the knowledge that the BMW notes were the correct way of fitting…

However I would take the BMW instructions with a pinch of salt, following these I nearly "scr*wed" up the aluminum sleeves in one of the strut plates, as it instructs that the unit must be adjusted as a complete unit and fitted all as one. So off I went, adjusted the brace so it fitted correctly tightened down the right hand side (as instructed) and then set about sorting out the left…

To my own fault I neglected to notice that as the right had tightened, the left plate had shifted slightly, so as I tightened the left hand side nuts, they sat on top of the aluminum sleeves (instead of in the middle) and started to chew into them … eeek

After much panicking I managed to tap a small socket through the center of the sleeves to put them back to a better rounder shape so that I could finally finish the job…

After an hour of further stressing and manipulating I finally got the left plate down and tightened the nuts (35nm)…

I just hope the nuts aren’t cracked as well! … I am keeping a careful eye on this… and it is very tight to a standard MCS airbox…

So my 2p’s worth of advice would be:

Separate the plates from the bar, put these on first, then put the bar on and adjust the bar to fit the plates, not as the instructions imply ‘adjust the plates to fit the bar’..

However, after all the stress what a difference it has made… weirdly the front end feels solid, doesn’t seem to dance around on bumpy country roads, corners ‘flatter’, feels safer, more solid handling so much better.

Would definitely recommend.

That’s all…

Thanks for reading…

i++()

[Miniadventure12]

Thanks for write up your problems you had. I'm looking to get a JCW strut for my cooper cabrio like 'Minicabrio' did I believe it does fit but was just wondering how to go about. hopefully all sorted now. shame i missed the group buy

[Checkie_checkmate]

Had exactly the same trouble but i only losely put the nuts on. Took one half of the bar off then fitted it that way then adjusted to fit.

I've also fitted a rear strut brace this week and with the two i definately have more confidence in the turn in, just keep triping the traction control.

Ooh and my runflats are crap!

[-=cHiLli=-]

There are loads of threads on cooper fitments and having to take the top of the airbox off...

When I say "tight" I really mean on top of the airbox....

Hopefully this will save some other poor sould from chewing their "sleeves"

Thanks,

i++()

[Mike Edwards]

How much 'clearance' have you got with the under-bonnet sound insulation?

Mine has put dents in the insulation (with a slight mis-alignment of the hood) and the bar needs polishing with AutoSol every moth to remove the scuff marks.

[-=cHiLli=-]

So far i have only noticed a couple of 'pressure' points causing marks on the brace, no hood alignment issues yet.... fingers crossed! ...

i++()

[Haggi]

no such problems for me with my OMP brace fitted it with the 13mm spanner in the boot as they dont need a troque setting and on and off in 10 mins perfect fit no hassle

[MiniKJ]

Can I ask the experience who have the JCW struct brace for over 3 months?

1) Condition of the studs and nuts?
2) Any tear of the strut guide (top rubber mount)?
3) If anyone has removed the brace for some reason, is there any mark left on the paint?

Thank you in advance for your help.

[bonz]

I had to remove my JCW brace this past week-end to upgrade to GTT JCW replacement filter kit,

1) The studs and nuts were in tiptop condition( will put Loctite Blue thread locker on this week-end).
2) What rubber guides?
3) No marks on paint.

Later

[TimCrighton]

Yes by design they are extremely tight to the MCS airbox which can prove a problem. We have had several of these which have suffered from paint/chrome peel although these were the earlier ones and I trust that JCW rectified the problem as certainly the new ones we've supplied/fitted haven't shown the problem as yet.

[:: Jon ::]

ive had mine fitted for 6 months on my MCS and it was on my Cooper for 3 months..

some marks on the sound proofing but nothing to be worried about..

the ends of the bar are tarnished but its only cosmetic which i'm not really bothered about is its their to do a job and not look good..

and ive taken mine off many times with no paint problems underneath it.. and it clears the works airfilter box very well..

[Mike Edwards]

Erm..Tim?

Chrome peel?

Where is the chrome you mention?