Suspension Brakes 1st Gen Broke my strut brace

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by davavd, Oct 22, 2014.

Tags:
  1. davavd

    davavd Club Coordinator

    May 7, 2009
    189
    6
    0
    Architect
    Covington, La
    Ratings:
    +6 / 0 / -0
    Last night, while preparing to change my Uni filter, I disconnected the driver-side end of my JCW strut brace and lifted it (like I always do) so I could get the top off of the air box. When I had lifted it about 8", the other end of the brace broke at the threads. That is the sad part of the story. The good part is, I found one (thanks, MA) at eminiparts.com for less than I paid 7 years ago. Now, the reason for this post is that the old bar had, not so long after I installed it, become rather badly discolored from contact with the insulation on the under side of the bonnet. I would like to avoid this with the new and preserve the "bling-value" as much as I can. does anyone know a solution, or, failing that, have any ideas of things I could try?
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    I've seen one other JCW brace broken like that. Time to see the welder.

    You could spray the new one with some clear coat to keep the corrosion at bay.
     
  3. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 22, 2010
    3,390
    1,213
    113
    North Carolina
    Ratings:
    +1,221 / 0 / -0
    Mine discolored too, but more on the flat spot. Use can also use clear vinyl or keep polishing it. As to why it broke, idk when I do oil or air filter I always remove it completely instead of just one end.
     
  4. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,713
    7,659
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,913 / 1 / -0
    Same thing happened to one of our MOM'ers... Easy repair.... Just take the clevis end and drill and tap a matching hole where the stud end broke. Replace it with the same metric size stud.... Then reassemble.... Save time and have the other end modified with this "stud" repair while you are at it...

    Get the pieces / parts polished to a high luster and then have the brace clear powder coated...

    Major design error for the clevis / threaded end to be made from aluminum by MINI.. The replacement stud and hex nuts used in the repair were made from T316 SS....
     
  5. davavd

    davavd Club Coordinator

    May 7, 2009
    189
    6
    0
    Architect
    Covington, La
    Ratings:
    +6 / 0 / -0
    Thanks for the advice and tips, y'all!
     
  6. Carey P

    Carey P New Member

    Dec 8, 2014
    1
    0
    0
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Hope you kept your old brace. Sent you PM! Thx.
     

Share This Page