JCW Strut Brace Fitting Help - MINI Cooper Forum

TallAndy · #1 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2005, 01:16 PM

Ordered the Strut Brace from my dealer - £165.00 inc VAT didn't really want to pay the £95/hour labour that they charge.

I presume its easy enough to fit yourself? Do I need any special tools anything to aware of?

Cheers,

Andy

pocketrocketowner · #2 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2005, 02:20 PM

One 13 mm spanner or a ratchet and a 13 mm socket. Undo the nuts, slap the sucker on, tighten down the nuts to the specified torque. DO NOT jack up the car while doing.
Hope this helps....

total time: 2.3 minutes.....OK I exaggerate, 10 minutes

This of course on a plain jane strut brace.....

TallAndy · #3 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2005, 04:12 PM

Sounds easy enough

Thanks!

ChrisBuer · #4 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2005, 11:13 PM

When JCW fitted mine they said they used a special tool in which to tighten it down..

Maybe they meant a spanner

or maybe it is a special tool...who knows

Jones · #5 (**permalink**) Mar 12th, 2005, 12:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisBuer

When JCW fitted mine they said they used a special tool in which to tighten it down..

Maybe they were referring to the guy who fitted it?!!

RedUn · #6 (**permalink**) Mar 12th, 2005, 02:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisBuer

When JCW fitted mine they said they used a special tool in which to tighten it down..

Maybe they meant a spanner

or maybe it is a special tool...who knows

torque wrench most likely, no need for that tho just tighten it to "thats not comin off" torque with a big spanner

ChrisBuer · #7 (**permalink**) Mar 13th, 2005, 10:21 AM

Some pics of the brace...

Theres a few more in my gallery all of a higher resolution

TallAndy · #8 (**permalink**) Mar 13th, 2005, 02:17 PM

Looks nice, notice better handling? I imagine agressive cornering should be better.

Collect it monday morning

ChrisBuer · #9 (**permalink**) Mar 14th, 2005, 01:11 PM

Yes much better handling (or so I think).

Went out in my mates Focus RS yesterday and was shown what real handling was

Still, it’s definitely very good and looks nice as well

TallAndy · #10 (**permalink**) Mar 14th, 2005, 04:37 PM

Just opened it up, comes with washers and new bolts. Looks really nice! I presume its made of aluminium as it is very light.

Focus RS hey... surely its not miles better handling that the S?

ChrisBuer · #11 (**permalink**) Mar 14th, 2005, 06:21 PM

Yeah its a really nice piece of kit!!

The RS is leagues ahead of the Mini

The LSD makes up for a lot of it but it just doesn't loose grip AT all!!

S1monLM · #12 (**permalink**) Mar 14th, 2005, 07:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisBuer

Some pics of the brace...

Theres a few more in my gallery all of a higher resolution

For some reason, my ECU sits higher than my JCW air box!

GTT 280 · #13 (**permalink**) Mar 18th, 2005, 09:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisBuer

Yeah its a really nice piece of kit!!

The RS is leagues ahead of the Mini

The LSD makes up for a lot of it but it just doesn't loose grip AT all!!

Wait a minute - the Focus RS has better handling than the MINI. I find that hard to believe.

It must have better shocks on that the stock MCS, but i think most of it is down to your driving style. I think somebody needs to go on a course

I've never been outwitted with regards to handling.

Incidentally, once the strut brace has been sized to fit your chasis, then you can take it off and refit it with a normal spanner. Although using a torque wrench is ideal, and if you buy one for your wheel nuts (£70) you can use it for loads.

ChrisBuer · #14 (**permalink**) Mar 19th, 2005, 10:59 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper S Works

Wait a minute - the Focus RS has better handling than the MINI. I find that hard to believe.

It must have better shocks on that the stock MCS, but i think most of it is down to your driving style. I think somebody needs to go on a course

I've never been outwitted with regards to handling.

Incidentally, once the strut brace has been sized to fit your chasis, then you can take it off and refit it with a normal spanner. Although using a torque wrench is ideal, and if you buy one for your wheel nuts (£70) you can use it for loads.

Yes the Focus RS has far better handling than the Mini. I love my car dearly but there is really no comparison. Unless you've driven a Focus RS, it would be hard to make a judgement, but fortunately I've had the privellege of driving both! The RS just does not lose grip.

Where the RS tucks in, the Mini would start to understeer. Yes you have to battle with the steering wheel as the diff tugs away, but it just sticks like glue!

I'm a ROSPA advanced driver and a member of the IAM so I do know how to drive

(looking to get my racing license soon

). From driving them both, I prefer the performance and handling of the RS! However, the inside of the car is...well a little blue! The Mini is a lot better inside!

Don't forget also that the RS was only about 1.5 seconds slower than a BMW M3 (new version) around a track. I doubt even the JCW Mini would get near that!

Tonyt3 · #15 (**permalink**) Mar 19th, 2005, 11:28 AM

If you go to a specialist tool retailer (one that the motor trade go to...) you can buy a quality toruque wrench for around £30. You'll pay at least double that at a mainstream retailer like Halfords etc.

I carry one around in the boot of my mini all the time. Having nearly loat a wheel after a track event I can well recommend it.