OMP front strut brace

[willc38]

Hi peeps,

Had a omp front strut brace fitted yesterday to my cooper. Its great but noticed this morning that the top of the bonnet near the windscreen (right had side) looks like its not shut properly
The bonnet is closed but i think this is due to the fact that the strut brace goes up higher along the battery box, making the bonnet rise up only on the right had side.
Is this normal? has anyone had this problem?

Thanks

Will

[willc38]

Anyone

[beken]

Quote: Originally Posted by willc38 (original)

Hi peeps,

Had a omp front strut brace fitted yesterday to my cooper. Its great but noticed this morning that the top of the bonnet near the windscreen (right had side) looks like its not shut properly
The bonnet is closed but i think this is due to the fact that the strut brace goes up higher along the battery box, making the bonnet rise up only on the right had side.
Is this normal? has anyone had this problem?

Thanks

Will

Somebody told me the same thing happens on the M7 strut brace too.....and others.

The two strut braces that I have confirmed reports that they fit without lifting the bonnet are the JCW strut brace and the Dinan strut brace.

That's all I know....not an expert on this one as I'm thinking about getting one too and don't know what to get.

[willc38]

Thanks

I did notice that on lohen's mini one, they have removed the bonnet lining and also applied some tape to stop the top of the brace from knocking on the bonnet.

What are peoples views on removing the bonnet lining? and is it easy to remove?

Thanks

[beken]

From just looking at it, the liner is easy to remove. However, some thoughts about the purpose of the liner.

1. Noise insulation. Keeps the sound of the engine somewhat muted. However, most gearheads don't mind that at all. Given the shape of the bonnet (clamshell), it could act like a speaker cone and deflect vibration back at the engine in a somewhat amplified manner and I'm not sure I would want that.

2. Vibration insulation. If there's noise, there's vibration. The liner will absorb vibration and the theory is less vibration will get to those bonnet mounted headlights. But there will still be vibration up front anyways.

3. heat insulation. Not only from heat getting out, but also heat getting in. Especially if your car is a dark colour and it sits in the sun all day.

4. Rubbing parts. There isn't a whole lot of clearance between the intercooler and the bonnet. Also between a strut brace over top the air cleaner and the bonnet. The insulation would rub off some of that contact and protect the paint finish underneath, which has the long term effect of preventing rust.

Of course, this is just all speculation as the R56 has little or no insulation on under the bonnet. It does, however, have 4 inches of clearance from the engine. (wasn't that the pedestrian crash regulation on your side of the pond?)

[minimattsback]

Quote: Originally Posted by willc38 (original)

Hi peeps,

Had a omp front strut brace fitted yesterday to my cooper. Its great but noticed this morning that the top of the bonnet near the windscreen (right had side) looks like its not shut properly
The bonnet is closed but i think this is due to the fact that the strut brace goes up higher along the battery box, making the bonnet rise up only on the right had side.
Is this normal? has anyone had this problem?

Thanks

Will

Solved this problem by making my own made to measure strut brace from 13mm aluminium plate, 30mm steal tube and 65mm angle iron.

[Nath316]

Quote: Originally Posted by minimattsback (original)

Solved this problem by making my own made to measure strut brace from 13mm aluminium plate, 30mm steal tube and 65mm angle iron.

that looks good yu shoudl go into business

is not as polished as teh pros but it works and i bet is a damn sight cheaper

yu shoudl price up and see if there is any interest

[minicabrio]

A friend of mine has the OMP brace on his ONE, and the bonnet does lift at the rear on the right hand side.

I have a JCW brace on my Cooper, but the bonnet does not lift at all

[minimattsback]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nath316 (original)

that looks good yu shoudl go into business

is not as polished as teh pros but it works and i bet is a damn sight cheaper

yu shoudl price up and see if there is any interest

All materials £17.53 but around 15 hrs in time. I made a plywood template then cut the profile of the strut plates on my band saw and used my router with TCT blade cut all holes. The steel tube was flattened in my wood vice (large compression area) and welded with turned end plates (at work) and welded onto tube ends. Angle iron plates held with four 6mm high tensile studs. I could knock a few hours off the construction but I think making these to sell would be a lot of commitment. The final Finnish has not been completed as the Alloy need to be sealed and the tube requires smoothing and painting. But thank you for your comments.

[Nath316]

Quote: Originally Posted by minimattsback (original)

All materials £17.53 but around 15 hrs in time. I made a plywood template then cut the profile of the strut plates on my band saw and used my router with TCT blade cut all holes. The steel tube was flattened in my wood vice (large compression area) and welded with turned end plates (at work) and welded onto tube ends. Angle iron plates held with four 6mm high tensile studs. I could knock a few hours off the construction but I think making these to sell would be a lot of commitment. The final Finnish has not been completed as the Alloy need to be sealed and the tube requires smoothing and painting. But thank you for your comments.

Trust me mate if yu got a production line going and now yu have the templates and routine etc the completion time would decrease

Made to order for peeps on here would be a nice sideline I suspect, especially if they colour coded etc which wouldnt be too much more

In teh end is up to you and how much interest yu get I suppose

I may be contacting yu when my S arrives

[OldRick]

MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - the Strut Brace hair-spray trick...

[Richard Crofts]

Yes it does. I have the OMP...over time it rubs/presses the bonnet heat lining in a bit and the bonnet starts to settle back to it normal position and the lining gets flattened a bit. Best way though is to remove the heat/sound lining. I am gonna do that to mine eventually.

Oh and although the JCW, FORGE and others are all flatter...they are also all inferior to the cheaper OMP one. Only the GTT one is even remotely better (it is the best) Avoid anything with a joint near the strut!