Chasis braces

David & Judy Kerr · Post by **David & Judy Kerr** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:09 pm

Does anyone have any thoughts on bracing the chasis. Is it worth it?

Dave.

peter · Post by **peter** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 7:34 pm

ooohhhh yeah!!!
I had a rear brace fitted, made a hell of a difference : "body roll" vanished,
car felt lots safer. I added a brace to the engine bay, didn't notice much
improvement at first, but on a long trip the steering felt firmer?

Peter
FERNNZ

Janet & Jeff Curtin · Post by **Janet & Jeff Curtin** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 7:54 pm

We got our 90 stock with only 98kms on the clock, and it felt tight untill I
drove a later model with factory bracing now that was tight!!, I also
dicovered that the first couple of years of mx5's were designed to be loose
or easily slideable, until it was discovered that the americans who were
buying them were not all that competent in handling a light weight
sports cars... so I bought the front and rear Chassis braces from Ross
at Hamilton the car was immeadiatly better to drive, also installed the
front tower brace made the steering more um... nippy, last thing was had
a cabin brace made up cost $20.00 at local engineering firm shaped on the
hydralic press, I found some black air con foam to slide over it gave it the
factory look and something to screw the homemade perspex windblocker onto
works a treat{ thankyou Andie Rackstraw}, so yes it is well worth it along
with a chassis alignment,

Edney · Post by **Edney** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 9:32 pm

Yes - definitely worth it. My '92 came with a rear brace to join the
suspension. I added a front brace (across the wishbone) and it has virtually
eliminated scuttle shake. It is not surprising that these became standard from
1993.

The top braces rear and front are a different kettle of fish. I inderstand the
rear one is mostly for strength in a crash (a US authorities requirment). I
will most likely get a front shock tower brace next for further stiffening and
better cornering...

Ross

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:16 am

Yes, Definitely!

By the way, I checked with AA Insurance on any insurance issues before doing
mine, so long as you are just fitting braces and doing no other suspension
mods, they have no problem with it either. I have that in writing if anyone
has a problem.

Eric

DBM58 · Post by **DBM58** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:33 am

There is a good explanation of the merits of these braces in "The Mazda Miata
Performance Handbook" (the one with the blue car with white stripe running the
length of the body) that is available in many stores.
I also understand that the type of suspension in the MX5 does not gain as much
from the front tower support brace as in many other cars - somebody with an
understanding of this may be able to clarify.

Regards
David Moughtin

redney · Post by **redney** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 12:24 pm

Yes - David...you are quite right. The MX, unlike many other vehicles has double wish bone it tends to keep the camber stable when cornering.

Because a front top tower brace is mainly for keeping camber stable there isn't a lot of extra benefit. The main benefit would is additional stiffening to avoid transmission of shock to the rest of the car.

Oh yes - they can look quite nice too if polished. Overall, the under car braces are more functional.

Ross

[...]

Mikkels · Post by **Mikkels** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 6:46 pm

Hi Dave

I added the lower front and rear braces to my 1990 soon after I
purchased it. Very worthwhile. Made the car much tighter and stopped
an annoying shale at 100k.

I got mine from Ross at MX5 mart.

Don

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