Strut Brace/Sway Bar Installation

borv · 09-05-2011, 11:44 AM

I'm considering purchasing a strut brace for my 2011 MCS, and was wondering if this is a DIY type of mod. Does the car need to be lifted? Or Can I install it myself in my driveway?

thanks!

Steve · 09-05-2011, 12:25 PM

That depends, since your title mentions two different things.

If you mean a strut tower brace, the thing that bolts to the top of the strut towers with a bar that runs between them, it's one of the easiest things you can do. Remove 6 nuts, install the brace, put the bolts back on and torque correctly, done. Some bars are adjustable to allow you to pre-load, which is another simple step done after it's installed, but instructions that come with the bar should explain how you do that.

A sway bar is at least a couple more notches up on both the level of effort and mechanical ability meters. Still possible as a DIY but quite a bit more effort. Are you talking about front, rear, or both?

borv · 09-05-2011, 01:23 PM

Right now I'm looking at the JCW strut brace that goes across the 2 strut towers in the front.

I'm looking to get a bit more stiffness and less body roll in the twists, and I'm hoping the strut brace will help.

Do you know what difference exists between a strut brace and a non-adjustable sway bar in the front?

I'll be doing the rear later on.

**Crashton** · 09-05-2011, 01:49 PM

From what I have seen I would recommend an MN strut brace over the JCW. It is DIY-able. The car does not have to be lifted. Be careful tightening down the nuts. Too much torque will snap the studs on the strut.

Best bang for the buck IMHO is a rear swaybar. It being DIY-able depends on your skill level. Yes the car needs to be lifted for the install.

I buy all my MINI parts from Aaron at Outmotoring. Great guy to deal with...

NM Engineering mini cooper clubman upper stress bar

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...n_swaybar.html

**old81** · 09-05-2011, 01:49 PM

Strut bar does help, a lot of folks say it is cosmetic, I believe it helps if your are somewhat aggressive in the twisties. Simple to install, as noted.

I would not mess with the front sway bar, get a 3 hole adjustable 19mm rear bar for your MINI. Install is DIY, I would suggest a lift or at least 4 jack stands if you have them.

Run your bar in the middle until you figure out how much rotation you can control in aggressive corners or if you AutoX.

Enjoy... Don

**Crashton** · 09-05-2011, 01:58 PM

I'm sure the strut bar helps some, how much is up for debate. Bang for the buck a RSB is the place to start. I have a 19mm & wish I'd gone with a 22mm.

Way Motor Works · 09-06-2011, 11:20 PM

The front strut tower brace is really an easy DIY, if you can't do that don't consider other work on your car. I suggest the new NM brace for the 2011, it has been changed slightly for the 2011.

BRG_Paul · 02-15-2012, 08:01 PM

I picked up a Strut tower brace this weekend from another owner.
Two questions:
1. I don't want to snap the stud. What is the appropriate torque for the nuts?

2. It looks as though the thickness of the bracket on the brace will cause the nut not to have full thread engagement. I was considering switching to a different nut that did not have the captive flange and just use a thinner steel washer. Anyone have a comment in this?

**Crashton** · 02-15-2012, 08:42 PM

The NM strut bar comes with different bolts so you get proper engagement. Maybe you did not get those from the seller.

BRG_Paul · 02-15-2012, 09:40 PM

Correct I did not get any fasteners. My towers have threaded "studs" with nuts on top. Are the studs removable? I should have mentioned my car is an R56.