[tamathumper]

Miraculously, I found some time this morning, and installed my top D1R brace!



Easy peasy, and no toothpaste under the hood (read the instructions and you'll know what I mean), so I took it for a spin.



WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT! Can't wait to put the bottom one on. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[DaveN]

I did them both at the same time so I don't know which side has the greater improvement but it's definitly worth doing the bottom as well. I just got the firewall brace in which magicaly fits to the upper strut brace! What was Flash thinking?.....oh, he WAS thinking <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Chris Vais]

I have both installed now for about 5 months now and I really like the improved handling especially with a slightly more aggressive alignment on the front. The turn in is spot on and there is no front end washout. you will really enjoy driven this car fast on a winding road.

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[tamathumper]

Next is the lower brace, then the firewall brace, then the clutch hose, then the heat shield, then the new wheels and tires, then the supercharger, then the new boots and stops for the struts, then the new oil cooler duct... Most of it is sitting here in boxes waiting to be installed.



... sheesh, I need more time,... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/glare.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Gotter]

Lucky. As I was reading down your list, I thought it was the wish list.... not the waiting to be installed list! Would really like to get the brace on soon.Anyone looking to offload one? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Scott Collins]

tama, you're killin' me with that list and needing more time. I say that every day.... Need more time..... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[tamathumper]

Knocked off the firewall brace today. Not too much crying involved, but it's a bit of a frig getting in there. Nicely designed piece of kit, and while I didn't have a problem with my firewall yet, I guess that's kind of the point - preventive measures?



I did drop one of the nuts under the car, and it was hidden somewhere under the folded lift, so I had to get out a magnet and go fishing. Luckily it stuck right away, and a dab of grease on the inside of the socket kept it from falling out the second time.

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[tamathumper]

A better picture of the firewall brace for those interested in what it looks like and how it works.

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[bombfactory]

For those of you who have KLA strut braces, yes, the D1R firewall brace will work. Use the drilling template included with the D1R firewall brace and drill an appropriately sized hole in the KLA upright. Then you just have to get a longer bolt for where the firewall brace bolts to the upright of the strut brace, and add a stack of 5 or 6 washers between them, as the upright of the D1R brace is positioned about 1cm closer to the firewall than the KLA upright. I know, a photo would help, but I hope I've explained this clearly!

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[tamathumper]

I've been driving like a retard with a grin on my face the last two days. My car "stays planted" but don't ask me to describe it other than to say it doesn't roll like a beached whale - it stays level and goes *around* the corner.



I've no idea how the brace works just by putting tension between the top of the struts, but it sure does something? Dad always said "squares are weak, triangles are strong", but I can't see how this little bit of tension creates a triangle that would strengthen up the front end?

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[flash]

lol - wait until you install the lower brace

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[Cloud9...68]

Glad you've noticed so much improvement. It's very gratifying when things like this meet or exceed expectations. Overall, it sounds like you're doing all the right things to really bring the enjoyment out of your car.

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[Rap]

Just got my lower brace on and can't wait to try it!

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[tamathumper]

Well, quit typing and go drive! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Rap]

I'd like to and will. Tomorrow the rear view mirror will hopefully click on no problamo. Foolishly I have sporadically run the car without. Finally got the part and will put this to rest. No point checking it out without that rear view mirror!

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[AJG]

Aye, stop bumpin yer gums Rap, get on with it!

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[Rap]

Aye Aye captain!

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[tamathumper]

OK, got the lower brace installed today. Only a few minor problems, nothing more than any other time spent working on the car, you know?



I loosened up the top brace as indicated in the instructions (flash, you should add a sentence at the end of the instructions to remind people to re-tension that), then I proceeded to mount the brackets underneath the car in the wrong order. Duh. No big deal, I just removed them one at a time and put them on in the right order. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



Perhaps because I have the stock mounts with the metal ridges, the brackets would not fit without being ground slightly. The brackets interfered with the mounts and would not align flat with each other no matter what I did.







So a bit of grinding was in order...







Then everything lined up perfectly and I was able to put the brace across the bottom of the car. A little bit of cutting of the rear metal underbelly pan, and everything goes back together like it was supposed to be there the whole time. Pretty cool.







One short test drive later, the car corners well and there are no frightening clunks from under the car, so I think I got it right. One odd change is now I have more squeaks and chatters from the trim at the top of the windshield - the plastic pieces on the inside of the car seem to be squeaking against each other more than before. Weird.



One more satisfied customer. I hope to get out later today to really see what the change is.

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[flash]

from the looks of it, you oddly have different caster blocks in there. this is the problem when dealing with cars of dubious history. you just never know what you will run into.



this one really turned out to be a train wreck for you. i'm sorry it has been such a bother. with over 100 of these out there, this has been by far the worst situation.

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[tamathumper]

Really? It only took a couple of hours. I thought it went pretty well. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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