Strut Top Strengthening

[jimistdt 1]

As I was working on the car the other day I noticed that on the passenger side where the strut is secured to the wing it has become almost 'dome' shaped, I think its related to an incident a few weeks back when I hit a pothole. As it is I don't think it will pass the MOT in May.

 

I'd like to make a strengthening plate for both sides which I can get my brother to do

 

I've never actually seen one, so I was wondering if anybody could advise on materials that would be suitable and also any if anyone has a diagram or dimensions that my lil bro can work from?

 

I'm running standard dampers if it makes any difference

[platty 1]

Make you brothers life easier.....Clicky

Edited February 15, 2009 by platty

[jimistdt 1]

Coolio, cheers Platty, they're not as expensive as I thought, still, might see what it would costs for him to knock up a few....

[platty 1]

Velcome Danielson

 

If he's goe a plasma cutter, it'll take him no time at all. I was suprised how cheap they are too.

[jimistdt 1]

The ones you've linked are 6mm thickness Steel, does that seem a bit OTT for a purely road going car?

[Jrod 7]

Can't really hurt having too much strength though.

[Baz 421]

I'm having a load knocked up as i write this!

[jimistdt 1]

Can't really hurt having too much strength though.

 

I can see the logic in that i suppose

 

I'm having a load knocked up as i write this!

 

 

Thats what I call multitasking!!

 

Any idea of cost on yours yet, Baz?

[jimistdt 1]

I've just spoken to our kid, he's going to knock up a couple of freebies for me.

 

 

He can fabricate steel upto 5mm thickness, would this be sufficiently strong?

[platty 1]

I'd say yes looking at what peugeot have deemed fit.

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

If I was making some I'd probably use 1/8" plate which is a shade over 3mm.

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

My phase 1 came with it from the factory Looks like 2.5mm plate on mine.

[cir287 0]

3mm mild steel was ample for me on race car,

as for the shape, I just got a piece of cardboard and made a stencil,

probably as cheap to just buy ready made ones.

you will probably have to tap down the existing turret tops to get them flat enough to be able to spot weld on plates

[jimistdt 1]

Thanks for the tip, bud I'm going for 3mm, although my brother said 5mil isn't any harder for him, on Toms and now your recommendations I think it will be plenty.

 

As for cost he's doing it for nowt, so I can't complain at that.

 

Cheers

 

*Goes hunting for cardboard*

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

Jimi, we forgot to take the measurements of the ones I have here.

 

Let me know if your lad wants to use one for a template but I think they are slightly to big for the struts tops & have always cleaned the ones I've fitted to look more standard rather than over hanging the edges so much. Or I can call into your work on Wednesday with one.

 

I got mine seam welded on also not just tack welded & filled round to blend the edges in.

 

I'll try to take a picture of the ones I fitted onto my STDT tomorrow so You can see what I mean.

 

I agree, 3mm will be more than enough for a road car & 5mm for anything other imo.

 

Graham.

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

Pictures of my trimmed strut top plates fitted.

 

With a bit more time spent they would be almost un-noticable imo.

 

Graham.